In this 45-minute webinar Nick Elston brings you solutions and inspiration to support and boost your emotional resilience through times of change and uncertainty.
Resilience is…
- Adapting when under stress or pressure
- Bouncing back
- Using emotions in a positive way
- Actions and thoughts that anyone can develop
Qualities of resilient people include…
- Problem solving and planning skills
- Self belief and optimism
- Openness to change
- Well-developed support network
- Sense of humour
Understanding your own resilience
There are four factors that are particularly important when it comes to resilience and managing pressure: confidence, adaptability, social support and purposefulness. Here are four fifteen minute activities that can help you explore these areas.
Tips for resilient leadership through uncertainty
- Think options, not solutions
For complex problems, there won’t be an obvious solution. Getting people to share perceptions about what the problem is and understanding multiple options can be more productive than jumping to premature action-planning. - Learn to value ‘not knowing’
It’s OK to say ‘I don’t know’! As leaders, our role is not about knowing all the answers. Support others who are looking for clarity by helping them to make sense of uncertainty rather than by trying to make everything clear when it can’t be. - Embrace ambiguity
Be open to possibilities; expect (and be ready for) the unexpected; check with yourself regularly whether you are clinging tightly to assumptions about the future. Continually build new relationships, consider new systems and new ways of working. - Re-connect with your personal anchors
Keep caring - about the things that matter to you. - Encourage others to remain grounded in what really matters to them
Find your personal way of maintaining perspective. Get frequent support from those you trust. - Avoid feeling overwhelmed
Don’t try to do the impossible. Concentrate on where you can make a difference. Say a reasonable ‘no’ more often. If something feels wrong, respectfully question or challenge it. - Make conscious and deliberate choices
You always have choices, even if some appear un-appetising. Help others to recognise their available choices. Remember what you do now - and how you do it.
Ref: Centre for Innovation in Health Management, 2011
Watch/listen
These webcasts and podcasts were recorded during lockdown, the points that are discussed are relevant for life today, so you may still find them useful and interesting.
Hamel & Valikangas, (2003)
"Resilience is not about responding to a one time crisis…it’s about continuously anticipating and adjusting…It is about having the capacity for change before the need for change becomes obvious. The goal is an organisation that is making its future rather than defending its past.”
Avey, Luthans and Jensen (2009)
“…resilient individuals are better equipped to deal with the stressors in a constantly changing workplace environment, as they are open to new experiences, are flexible to changing demands and show more emotional stability when faced with adversity.”
How can we help you further?
If there are any other topics or areas that you would like to see covered on this site, or if you have general feedback on the site please do let us know.