How to Build Resilient People That Lead Resilient Organisations

What characterises resilient people is they move forward, deal with the change, learn from challenges and emerge strengthened and even more resourceful.

Have you observed how some people seem to be able to cope with whatever change comes their way while others find it really difficult to move out of their comfort zone? What separates the two is personal resilience.

Resilience involves dealing with those factors or events that cause stress, and it is needed to cope with the challenges everyone experiences at work. What characterises resilient people is they move forward, deal with the change, learn from challenges and emerge strengthened and even more resourceful.

In a recent article, Dr Alan Zimmerman suggests three strategies to build Resilience:

1. Recover: To regain a sense of composure step back from your new situation for a period.  This may mean time out for yourself through exercise or having coffee with someone who will listen to your concerns. Aim to focus your thoughts on what choices you can make for yourself and, as Dr Zimmerman says, “What you are willing to accept is what you get.”
2. Refocus: Take a helicopter view of the change.  Reflect on what has happened, why and what it might mean for the organisation and for you. Identify what is causing your strong feelings.  Ask yourself, will this still matter in a year’s time? You have an opportunity to change your Mindset towards what is happening now. In Monkey Business, researchers Wright, Hager and Tyink wrote, “When you change the way you see things, the things you see, change.”
3. Regenerate: Change is stressful so you need time to regenerate. Be kind to yourself by getting additional rest, eat well, and avoid over use of alcohol. Spend more time with positive, encouraging colleagues and friends. It may require addressing your own self-defeating behaviours.  You will recognise your roadblocks in, “that’s just the way I am,” statements.  Changing these habits requires being ready, willing and able to make the change stick, so seek support if appropriate.

Being resilient is good for individuals and organisations. Rod Warner, author of The Building Resilience Handbook, states there is significant value for organisations that enhance resilience in their workforce because resilient people:

• Experience overall more hope, optimism and positivity and so are better able to cope with job demands.
• Are best able to get through tough times at work and at home.
• Are more likely to learn new skills and knowledge when their existing set become outdated.
• Are less likely to become mentally or physically ill during stressful times.
• Turn adversity into a growth experience, and leverage it into new experiences and ways of working and living.

So, what measures do you put in place to ensure that you bounce back and stay on track during times of change?

Bev Frowen
Senior Associate

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 Mindset’s report, Make That Change: Tips for a Successful Transition to Shared Services, contains some great tips and tools for leading and managing change in your organisation, using a change management methodology that can be applied to any major business transformation.

Download your copy today!