FS Resilience

Resilience can be defined as the ability to make the best of changing conditions… to bounce back after a defeat, loss, or setback… to survive tough times rather than being overcome by them. It means knowing how to cope with problems and difficulties, and how to turn them into opportunities.

Studies indicate that resilience is one of the best predictors of an employee’s capacity to be an effective contributor and to add value to an organization. In one study, 2/3 of all new hires failed within 2 years due to the lack of resilience. Some of those failures were obvious and outward (the employee was terminated or chose to leave the organization to avoid termination). Others were more subtle (lessened productivity, negative impact on employee morale, resistance to change, cultivation of an entitlement mentality).

Resilience is a cluster of skills, not one single capability. In general, resilient individuals demonstrate:

ü Willingness to take responsibility for themselves, rather than blaming others or passing the buck

ü A perception that problems are opportunities rather than obstacles; “possibility thinking”

ü Solution-focused thinking as opposed to catastrophizing, worrying, or panic

ü A “lifelong learning” orientation that includes mental curiosity and a thirst for knowledge

ü Social competence including a recognition that others have value and that no one can make it alone

Resilience isn’t an all-or-nothing phenomenon. It is a set of learnable skills and attitudes. All of us can begin where we are to enhance our resilience and to help those around us to do the same. (If you recognize a lack of resilience in yourself, that’s an opportunity for growth in disguise!)

There’s no single “magic bullet”, but here are some generally effective strategies.

ü Model resilience in your own life – employees focus more on what you do than on what you say

ü Reward employees for acting resiliently – for taking chances, for admitting mistakes, for learning

ü Be honest with employees about the changing world of work and how it may impact their careers

ü Provide opportunities for learning and development, even at the risk of helping some people move on

ü Cut yourself and others some slack when you’re less than perfect – growth is a process

To learn more about how resilience can be measured, or about training opportunities to enhance resilience in your organization, call or email Business Development Group.