Navigating a successful career as a leader today is challenging. It’s filled with highs and lows, achievements, failures, and the constant need to overcome obstacles. This makes it clear why resilience is such a crucial leadership skill.
But what exactly is resilience, and how can leaders develop it? Let's start with a simple definition:
Resilience is "the ability to recover from setbacks, adapt well to change, and keep going in the face of adversity."
For leaders, resilience is essential because it equips them to manage constant change and lead their teams through uncertain times.
In today’s fast-paced business environment, change is inevitable. Leaders are often tasked with guiding their teams through challenging situations such as organisational restructuring, changes in senior leadership, or fluctuating market conditions. During such times, teams can become:
This is when teams look to their leaders for support, reassurance, and direction. A resilient leader can rise to the occasion, representing the team's interests while navigating the challenges with a positive outlook.
The more significant the challenge, the greater the opportunity for leaders to develop their resilience.
Self-awareness is a critical component of resilience. The more insight a leader has into their strengths, behaviours, and attitudes, the better they can manage their response to challenging situations.
Leaders face their own emotional challenges during periods of change, often needing to process their experiences at speed. Despite these pressures, it’s essential for leaders to remain composed and focused on their team’s needs, balancing personal stress with professional responsibility.
Leaders lacking self-awareness may become overly focused on their own struggles, which can lead to burnout. A resilient leader, however, can manage their own emotions while providing support and stability to their team.
Challenges are opportunities for growth. A resilient leader approaches difficult situations with a positive mindset and encourages their team to do the same. Leading by example, they help their team brave the storm and come out stronger.
Team members continuously observe their leaders. A resilient leader makes decisions with confidence, communicates regularly (even when delivering the same messages), and stays composed. By focusing on what can be achieved and what is within their control, they inspire their team to adopt the same approach.
In Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn, John Maxwell highlights that adversity is often a better teacher than success. Resilient leaders are open about their mistakes, reflect on what went wrong, and share their learnings with the team. This behaviour not only builds the leader’s resilience but also encourages the team to view mistakes as learning opportunities, fostering a culture of growth.
Leaders who model resilience can help their teams develop this crucial skill. By encouraging their team to see failure as a “First Attempt In Learning,” they create an environment where mistakes are seen as a path to improvement. This approach helps build a resilient, adaptable, and growth-focused team.
Many thanks,
The Excel Team
P.S. If you would like to discuss any of your other learning & development challenges, book in your discovery call.
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