Resilience in the Workplace

Resilience is the capacity to withstand pressure, recover from difficulties and emerge stronger from the experience; a ‘psychological elasticity’ and ability to bounce back after difficulties. In the workplace we can foster resilience by creating an environment where employees are supported to navigate challenges effectively and maintain their wellbeing.

Psychologists have identified some factors that appear to make a person more resilient, such as a positive attitude, optimism, the ability to regulate emotions and the ability to see failure as a form of helpful feedback.

Building Individual Resilience

Building personal resilience is a continuous process that involves growth and the ability to bounce back from the challenges life throws at you. The below are factors that can support resilience in individuals:

• Self awareness: Reflect on personal strengths and weaknesses, understanding your stress triggers and how you typically respond to stress.
• Maintain positivity: Focus on the positive aspects of your life, practice gratitude and reframe negative experiences to find the lessons within them.
• Embrace change: Accept that change is a part of life. Be open to new experiences and willing to adjust your strategies when faced with new challenges.
• Develop realistic goals: Set achievable, measurable goals and break them down into manageable steps. Celebrate your progress along the way.
• Physical health: Ensure adequate sleep, exercise regularly and eat healthily to keep your body resilient and ready to handle stress.
• Keep things in Perspective: Try to view stressful situations from a broader context and keep a long-term perspective to avoid blowing events out of proportion.
• Learn from experience: Reflect on past experiences to identify how you've successfully dealt with hardships and what you can learn from those situations.
• Manage your boundaries: Learn to say no, set limits, and protect your time from being over-committed.
• Seek professional help: Don't hesitate to seek professional support if you're struggling to cope. This can include counselling or therapy.

How to Cultivate a Resilient Workforce

• Promote open communication: A resilient workplace is one in which communication flows freely. Encourage open dialogue about challenges and concerns. This transparency helps in identifying potential stressors early and addressing them before they escalate.
• Encourage strong relationships: Social support is a critical component of resilience. Foster a culture where colleagues build strong, supportive relationships. Team-building activities and social events can help strengthen these bonds.
• Develop problem-solving skills: Equip your employees with the skills to identify problems, evaluate solutions and implement effective strategies. Regular training and workshops can enhance these skills, promoting a more adaptable workforce.
• Embrace flexibility: Resilient organisations are flexible. They adapt to changing circumstances and reframe challenges as opportunities for growth, and are open to adjusting processes in response to feedback and changing needs.
• Lead by example: Leadership plays a crucial role in setting the tone for a resilient workplace. Leaders who demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges inspire their teams to do the same.

In the workplace, resilience is a critical attribute as it determines how employees handle stress, workload challenges and the ever-evolving demands of the business environment. With higher resilience levels, employees can manage stress more effectively, see mistakes as learning opportunities, and embrace change as a catalyst for growth and innovation.