The theme of resilience popped into my head the other day as I was driving to visit my elderly Mum in her aged facility.
It’s about a 45-minute journey, much of it on the motorway, which means I was driving at or close to the speed limit for much of the time, 110kmh. The weather was terrible: thunder and lightning, heavy rain and strong wind gusts.
I glanced at my passenger side mirror at one point and noticed a rather large huntsman spider hanging onto the mirror for dear life. I kept an eye on him (I’m assuming it was a him for the purposes of the story, though I wasn’t quite close enough to be certain!), mainly keen to ensure he remained outside the car rather than creeping inside.
While I felt sure he’d meet his demise pretty quickly, a few kilometres passed and he somehow hung on. The rain continued to pour and the wind continued to gust and, as I approached the end point of my journey and I saw he was still there, I couldn’t help but admire his tenacity, his resilience. *
Being the leadership and business nerd that I am, my thoughts shifted from admiring my huntsman friend to the importance of leaders and business owners having a healthy dose of resilience; the ability to “hang on” when the going gets tough.
What is Resilience?
In addition to hanging on when things get tough, resilience is about bouncing back from the inevitable setbacks we all face from time to time and adapting to forced change. For leaders, it means keeping your cool, staying focused, and making smart decisions even when the pressure’s on. Resilient leaders aren’t just born with this ability; they cultivate it over time. It’s about having the emotional intelligence to handle stress and keep moving forward.
Aside from impacting a leader’s personal effectiveness and potentially their wellbeing, the level of a leader’s resilience has a ripple effect on the broader business or organisation. That’s even more so in the case of SMEs, where the line from those at the top of the business to those to those on the frontline is somewhat shorter.
Take the example of a resilient leader in a small business facing a sudden market downturn. Instead of succumbing to panic, they calmly assess the situation, communicate transparently with their team, and explore creative solutions. This approach not only mitigates immediate risks but also sets a precedent for handling future challenges.
Resilient leaders inspire their teams to embrace change and view challenges as opportunities for growth. This mindset is crucial for SMEs, where agility and innovation are key to staying competitive.
On the other hand, less resilient leaders may be prone to, albeit inadvertently, foster a culture of uncertainty, malaise, helplessness and possibly anxiety (not exactly a recipe for business success!)
The Research Backs It Up
Studies have consistently shown that resilience is a game-changer for leaders. According to one 2017 research paper1, resilient leadership boosts organisational resilience, which in turn enhances overall performance. A further study in 20222 highlighted that leaders with high resilience levels positively influence their organisations by responding effectively to crises.
OK, I get it, so How do I Build my Resilience?
Building resilience is a journey, not a destination. Here are some strategies to help you along the way:
1. Cultivate a Growth Mindset
- Try to embrace setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures. Resilient leaders view challenges as a way to develop skills and improve strategies.
- Continuously seek feedback and use it to refine your leadership approach.
2. Develop Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
- Stay attuned to your own emotions and the emotions of others. Being aware of emotional triggers and managing stress in high-pressure situations enables better decision-making.
- Practice empathy by understanding the perspectives and concerns of your team members.
- Improve your self-awareness and identify opportunities to improve your EQ through the use of an appropriate diagnostic tool such as the Everything DiSC Agile EQ (contact us for details) and/or access some professional coaching.
3. Stay Solution-Oriented
- Focus on solutions rather than problems. When faced with adversity, resilient leaders assess the situation and prioritize actionable steps to move forward.
- Encourage a problem-solving culture within your team, empowering them to take initiative.
4. Build Strong Support Networks
- Surround yourself with trusted colleagues, mentors, and peers who can provide guidance and a sounding board during difficult times.
- Create an open and supportive environment within your team where people feel comfortable discussing challenges and asking for help.
5. Practice Self-Care
- Invest time in physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy eating habits help you maintain the energy needed to lead effectively.
- Schedule downtime and disconnect from work to recharge.
6. Set Clear, Realistic Goals
- Define clear, achievable goals for yourself and your team. Having a sense of direction, even in tough times, helps maintain focus and morale.
- Break large goals into manageable tasks and celebrate incremental successes along the way.
7. Adapt to Change
- The ability to pivot and adjust when circumstances change is a cornerstone of resilience. Embrace change as an opportunity for innovation and growth.
- Encourage a flexible mindset among your team to help them navigate uncertainty with confidence.
8. Lead by Example
- Model resilience in your actions and attitude. When your team sees you maintaining composure and determination, they are more likely to adopt a similar approach.
- Demonstrate transparency by sharing both challenges and successes with your team.
9. Learn from Failure
- Don’t fear failure, but rather learn from it. Resilient leaders analyse what went wrong, adjust their strategy, and take steps to avoid making the same mistakes.
- Encourage a culture of experimentation and innovation where mistakes are viewed as part of the growth process.
10. Endeavour to Maintain a Positive Outlook
- Resilience thrives on optimism. While it’s important to acknowledge challenges, focusing on the potential for success and growth can help you maintain motivation.
- Practice gratitude, both personally and with your team, to foster a positive atmosphere even during difficult times.
11. Develop Stress-Management Techniques
- Incorporate stress-relief practices such as mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises into your routine.
- Recognize the signs of burnout early and take proactive steps to manage your workload and stress levels.
Resilience is a must-have trait for leaders navigating the ever-changing business landscape. By fostering resilience, leaders not only enhance their ability to manage challenges but also inspire their teams to achieve collective success. As the saying goes, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” Embracing resilience equips leaders to sail through turbulent waters with confidence and purpose.
So, what do you think? Is resilience something you see as vital in your growth as a leader?
*so what happened to my huntsman friend you might ask? When I got to my Mum’s facility I thought I’d take a happy snap as a further nod to his resilience. Alas, he wasn’t there (photo is AI generated). While I at the time assumed that he had fallen off at the very last moment, I am pleased to report that I found him again several days later (hanging on to the car boot this time, what a resilient fellow!). He has now been successfully relocated, I wish him well.
1 Southwick, Frederick & Martini, Brenda & Charney, Dennis & Southwick, Steven. (2017). Leadership and Resilience. 10.1007/978-3-319-31036-7_18.
2 Grimes K, Matlow A, Tholl B, Dickson G, Taylor D, Chan MK. Leaders supporting leaders: Leaders’ role in building resilience and psychologically healthy workplaces during the pandemic and beyond. Healthc Manage Forum. 2022 Jul;35(4):213-217. doi: 10.1177/08404704221090126. Epub 2022 May 21. PMID: 35603437; PMCID: PMC9127620.