Importance of Resilience: How to be Resilient at Work

In modern workplaces, the dynamic challenges of staff cutbacks, deadlines, rivalry, and organizational changes have increased the importance of resilience at work more than ever. Our success relies not only on our core skills but also on these behavioral skills, where we can cope and even thrive when faced with stress.

In this article, we explore resilience and its importance at work. We also delve into strategies for building workplace resilience to boost career growth.

What is Resilience?

How we handle difficulties at work is what defines how resilient we are. It’s that simple.

You might come across people who can show a great deal of calm in a very pressured situation, and despite finding it difficult, they fly high with shining colors.

That’s their resilience!

Resilience is often defined as our ability to “bounce back” in tough times with better solutions to handle the situations.

But how people bounce back exactly is difficult to understand. Is it their positive attitude that makes the difference or their control over emotions? It’s hard to say, as resilience is a very dynamic process.

Does that mean that resilient people are never stressed? No, entirely not. Stress is an inevitable part of life, and workplaces present a multitude of stressors. The difference lies in their awareness of their emotions and thoughts, their values, and their grit to find the solution to the problem instead of fussing over the “whats, whys, and hows.”

An Example of Resilience in the Workplace

Say you are assigned a high-stakes presentation to deliver to senior executives, along with an existing workload with a major project deadline.

Without resilience, you might have felt overwhelmed by the dual pressures, resulting in poor time management, increased stress, and subpar performance in both the presentation and the project.

With resilience, you can approach the situation with a calm and focused mindset. How?

A calm brain gets the time to focus on the situation – it gives you time to think of a solution. You may prioritize tasks and, if needed, communicate openly with your manager about the increased workload, seek support, and potentially delegate some tasks.

Importance of Resilience in the Workplace

Employees who lack resilience are more likely to experience high-stress levels and burnout, leading to decreased productivity and higher absenteeism. Also, employees who struggle to adapt to new situations may resist changes, slowing down organizational progress and innovation.

Resilience in the workplace is crucial for maintaining productivity, well-being, and a positive work environment, especially in the face of challenges and adversity, as workplaces are loaded with stress.

• Improved Adaptability: Resilient employees quickly adapt to new situations and changes, which is crucial in today’s fast-paced work environments. For example, during a sudden shift to remote work, they adjust routines and tools to maintain productivity.
• Better Emotional Regulation: Managing emotions under stress prevents burnout and supports mental well-being. Resilient individuals stay calm and focused for better decision-making.
• Positive Outlook: Maintaining a positive attitude helps overcome challenges and motivate others. Encourage employees to practice mindfulness and deep breathing exercises or take regular breaks.
• Stronger Relationships: Resilient individuals forge strong connections with colleagues, creating a supportive work environment.

How to be Resilient?

Building resilience is very much a personal journey that takes self-reflection, time, and practice. However, offering resilience training and professional development opportunities can equip your employees with the skills they need to do so.

Below are five different areas where you can work to build resilience – i.e., to build the skills that will ensure you can withstand work challenges:

#1. Physical Resilience (Health)

It provides the energy, vitality, and resilience needed to cope with stressors and adversity. Taking care of physical health promotes emotional well-being, cognitive function, and overall resilience.

• Prioritize activities that promote physical well-being, such as exercise, nutrition, sleep, and relaxation.
• Practice mindfulness in daily activities like eating, walking, or breathing exercises to be mindful of the present moments and discussions.
• Establish routines that support physical health.

#2. Mental Resilience (Future Focus)

Mental resilience relies on creativity and problem-solving to address challenges. It refers to being adaptable to adjust and thrive in changing circumstances or environments. It fosters flexibility in thinking and behavior.

• Cultivate a growth mindset to view challenges as temporary and solvable.
• Do not dwell on past failures or setbacks; look into future goals.
• Be more adaptable and keep finding new ways forward.
• Practice acceptance of things beyond your control.

#3. Social Resilience (Networking)

It means tapping into networks, support systems, and other relationships to craft a strategy for responding to challenges. Social resilience offers encouragement, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging, which help us cope with challenges more effectively.

• Build connections and support networks.
• Know when and how to reach out for support from others.
• Provide assistance, empathy, and encouragement to others in need.
• Maintain boundaries and prioritize relationships that uplift and empower you.

#4. Emotional Resilience (Emotional Well-Being)

Emotional well-being involves recognizing, understanding, and healthily managing our emotions, including stress, nurturing positive emotions, handling negative emotions, and developing coping strategies.

• Practice self-awareness to learn insights about how you react to stressors.
• Practice self-awareness to learn how others react to your response and the situation.
• Recognize personal qualities and skills that can help overcome challenges.
• Challenge self-critical thoughts with self-compassionate statements.

#5. Motivational Resilience (Inner Drive)

Motivation and perseverance are needed to overcome challenges and setbacks. Our inner drive and commitment intrinsically push us to pursue goals despite obstacles or setbacks.

• Cultivate a habit of finding silver linings under challenging situations.
• Believe in your abilities.
• Make clear, realistic, and meaningful goals.

To Conclude

Resilience does not come overnight, and no specific conditions exist to show resilience. It all depends on the situations that teach you to stand against the odds and make you realize the importance of resilience.

Lastly, having a wide range of skills and behaviors is the key to resilience in today’s hectic world. Things like setting goals, staying positive, being adaptable, and having emotional regulation are super important.

Creating a workplace culture that promotes resilience just makes sense because a resilient team leads to unbelievable success in business.