What’s Inside:
How to Weather Any Storm
Note from the Coach
Become a Team Advantage Certified Leader
Link's Links

How to Weather Any Storm by Becoming a More Resilient Leader

Would you be surprised to learn that stress-related reductions in productivity cost businesses more than $1.3 trillion annually? It's true. This was the finding of a study conducted this year by the Human Performance Institute (HPI) and one of many illustrating the high cost of stress to business. This correlates with a 2009 study by the American Psychological Association showing that three out of four adults report experiencing moderate to high stress. The HPI study also asked executives to identify the greatest performance obstacle they foresee in 2010-2011. Nearly 75% of those sampled cited the demands of the workplace as their top nemesis.

It's more evident than ever before that organizational performance relies not only on physical health, but emotional health and resilience as well. Emotional stressors are a “gotcha” we all experience at one time or another in our lives. We get fired, laid off or passed over; a loved one dies, leaves or gets in trouble; a project stalls or gets cancelled. The list, unfortunately, often seems endless.

For some, the impact of the hard times we're experiencing is overwhelming. Recovery, if it comes at all, can be painfully slow. Yet, others appear to respond to chaos and disruption by bouncing back with speed and grace. They are admirably able to navigate through disorienting changes, returning to a state of equilibrium fairly quickly. The main difference between these two responses is the level of resilience the individual has been able to develop. Resilience—the strength required to adapt to change—acts as our internal compass, so we can resourcefully navigate through an upsetting experience.

When unexpected events turn life upside down, it's the degree to which our resiliency comes into play that turns these “make-or-break” situations into an opportunity for more immediate growth. The good news is that each of us has the capacity to reorganize our life after a disruption and to achieve new levels of strength and meaningfulness. The path may not be apparent to some at the time; but we all do find ways to “turn lemons into lemonade,” as the saying goes.

Though it's easy to feel vulnerable in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, life disruptions are not necessarily a bad thing because they help us grow and meet future challenges in our lives. It's a lot like a bone that was once fragile or broken, and is now strong from being used. It brings to mind the adage by Friedrich Nietzsche: “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”

So how can you become stronger and more resilient? Here's a look at seven key characteristics of people who demonstrate resilience when life throws us curve balls.

A Sense of Hope and Trust in the World
Resilient people rely on their belief in the basic goodness of the world and trust that things will turn out all right in the end. This positive attitude allows them to weather times when everything seems bleak and to look for and accept the support that is out there. Victor Frankl, after enduring unfathomable hardship at the hands of the Nazis, wrote, “The last of the human freedoms is to choose one's attitudes.” It's tempting to let constraints and unfavorable circumstances cloud your view. Resilient leaders realize that no one can take away their right to choose a perspective that is empowering versus one that is limiting.

Interpreting Experiences in a New Light
The ability to look at a situation in a new way (a skill called “reframing”) can minimize the impact of a difficult situation. Resilient people take a creative approach toward solving a problem, and don't always rely on an old definition of appropriate action for a new challenge. They entertain a variety of potential interpretations of any given situation, and are even open to the possibility of holding multiple interpretations at one time.

A Meaningful System of Support
One of the best ways to endure a crisis is to have the support of another person who can listen and validate your feelings. Knowing that others care and will come to our support decreases the feeling of isolation, especially when tackling a problem alone. It's important to choose people you trust. Don't be surprised if it takes a combination of several friends to find this, each of whom can provide different kinds of support. Resilient people aren't stoic loners. They know the value of expressing their fears and frustrations, as well as receiving support, coaching or guidance from friends, family or a professional.

A Sense of Mastery and Control Over Your Destiny
You may not be able to predict the future, but you can tackle a problem head-on instead of feeling at the mercy of forces outside of your control. Resilient people know that ultimately, their survival and the integrity of their life values depend on their ability to take action rather than acting as a victim. Tough times call for you to tap into your own sense of personal responsibility.

Self-Reflection and Insight
Life's experiences provide fertile ground for learning. Asking yourself questions that invite introspection can open a door to new understanding and appreciation of who you are and what you stand for. Giving voice to your thoughts and feelings leads to insight and helps transform the meaning of a problem into something useful. Resilient people learn from life situations and do not succumb to punishing themselves because of decisions made in the past.

A Wide Range of Interests
People who show resilience in the face of adversity are those who have a diversity of interests. They're open to new experiences and ideas. Because their lives are rich and varied, it's easier for them to find relief from the single mindedness and worry that often accompany a crisis. Getting lost in a hobby or sports and enjoying nature (for free!) can minimize the stress of difficult times.

Sense of Humor
Have you ever had a wry laugh during a difficult situation? The ability to see the absurdity, irony, or genuine humor in a situation stimulates our sense of hope and possibility. Humor has both psychological and physical benefits in relieving stress because it encourages a swift change in your perception of your circumstances—and when your thoughts change, your mood follows.

If you work to improve these seven areas now, rather than when adversity pays a visit—you'll be able to bounce back more quickly. If this list of seven seems unrealistic or overwhelming, pick just one and put it into practice. It will help you build and maintain the reserves of energy and sense of resilience that will enable you to be more successful.

The basis for author's content is used under license, ©2008 Claire Communications

Contact Tim at Link Resource Group if you'd like to benefit from coaching to become a more resilient leader yourself, or to give your team leaders the opportunity to up their game by learning to adapt to stress more effectively.

Note from the Coach

The good news is that resilience in leaders and in organizations alike is a learned skill. And often times, all it takes is just starting with one of the suggestions in this month's feature to get the ball rolling. I chose to write about resilience for the second time in a little over a year because adopting a resilient attitude is such a vital component to success, especially given today's economy. I refer you to my previous feature on this topic, which includes five advantages to becoming a more resilient leader.

This quote by Earl Nightengale sums it up for me: “A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before the change.”

Warm Regards,

Tim Link, MA, MCC

Become a Team Advantage Certified Leader

Team leaders and HR professionals find better answers to traditional challenges and have a greater impact by becoming certified in the Team Advantage process. You'll be among the first to spark genius and drive extraordinary performance in your organization! The final certification workshop of 2010 will be held this fall on the West coast. Seize this ground floor opportunity to master a groundbreaking team coaching program while joining a community of practice that will support you as you coach teams into new dimensions of performance. Please contact me or go to teamadvantageguide.com for more information.

Link’s Links

How Resilience Works
Harvard Business Review May 2002

According to HBR Senior Editor Diane Coutu: “More than education, more than experience, more than training, a person's level of resilience will determine who succeeds and who fails. That's true in the cancer ward, it's true in the Olympics, and it's true in the boardroom.” Coutu's original fascination with the subject of resilience began in elementary school when she first learned about survivors of the holocaust and she has been a student of the topic ever since.

Building Resiliency: The New Business Imperative
HPI Study

The Human Performance Institute, Inc. (HPI) has more than 30 years of experience consulting tens of thousands of business leaders. In 2010, HPI initiated a new study of business executives to understand the extent of damage done to workplace resiliency in recent years. The study uncovered some eye opening statistics. This summary reveals highlights of the study and draws some interesting and very significant conclusions about the impact of resilience on business performance in today's economy.

Call or email me if you're interested in discovering how Link Resource Group's strengths-based coaching and consulting can help to open up a world of new opportunities by coaching you or your team to respond to stress with greater resilience.