This week Kristian Livolsi focuses on Resilience. He discusses what it is and why it matters both in business and in your personal life. Resilience is critical for responsible leadership and a key quality of leaders, individuals and groups.
Short, sharp and to the point, this is an episode that will appeal to many.
What Is Resilience and Why Does It Matter in Business and Life?
In today’s challenging business environment, resilience isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a crucial skill that determines the difference between failure and success. But what is resilience, really, and why does it matter so profoundly in both business and personal life?
Understanding True Resilience
Resilience goes far beyond simply weathering life’s storms. At its core, it’s about learning and growing from the challenges we face. As Confucius wisely noted, “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
True resilience isn’t about being covered in impervious armour. Rather, it’s about developing self-awareness and empathy that enables you to operate effectively when faced with challenges. When storms come, resilient leaders are the ones handing out umbrellas, not just protecting themselves.
The Seven Truths About Resilience
- It’s a Journey, Not a Destination: Resilience isn’t something you achieve once and maintain forever. It’s an ongoing process of growth and development.
- Pain is Part of the Process: Resilient people still experience pain and discomfort. The difference lies in how they respond to these experiences without losing their sense of self.
- Emotional Regulation, Not Suppression: Resilience isn’t about never showing emotion—it’s about regulating your emotional responses effectively.
- It Can Be Developed: You’re not born with resilience; it’s a skill that can be taught and strengthened over time.
- Imperfection is Acceptable: Resilience isn’t about being perfect; it’s about your ability to bounce back from setbacks.
- Support is Essential: True resilience isn’t about going it alone—it’s about knowing when and how to ask for help.
- It’s Collectively Important: Resilience matters not just for individuals, but for teams and organisations as well.
Why Resilience Matters in Business
Resilience serves as a protective mechanism for both ourselves and the things we value. As Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
In business, resilience impacts multiple forms of intelligence:
- Interpersonal understanding
- Logical reasoning and problem-solving
- External awareness
- Understanding of others’ feelings and motives
Building Resilience Through Experience
While some develop resilience through personal challenges, others can learn from others’ experiences. Consider the metaphor of a boxer: The first time an untrained boxer steps into the ring, they might take heavy hits. But with each fight, they improve their technique, learning to keep their guard up and focus on footwork. Eventually, they might become skilled enough to train others, sharing their hard-earned wisdom without their students having to endure the same level of hardship.
The Role of Vulnerability in Resilience
As Brené Brown emphasises, vulnerability is about “showing up and being seen.” This can be challenging when you’re worried about others’ perceptions, but it’s essential for building true resilience. Being resilient means allowing yourself to be vulnerable while maintaining the strength to move forward.
Moving Beyond Victimhood
A crucial step in developing resilience is letting go of the victim mindset. This means:
- Accepting that mistakes and failures are part of growth
- Learning from setbacks rather than being defined by them
- Understanding that you’re not alone in facing challenges
- Embracing vulnerability as a strength, not a weakness
The Path to Flourishing
According to Dr Martin Seligman’s well-being theory, resilience is one of the critical elements of flourishing in life. When combined with positive emotion, self-esteem, optimism, vitality, self-determination, and positive relationships, resilience helps create a foundation for sustainable success and well-being.
Taking Action
Building resilience is an ongoing journey that requires conscious effort and practice. It starts with accepting that challenges are inevitable but understanding that our response to these challenges shapes our growth and success. Whether in business or personal life, resilience provides the foundation for turning setbacks into opportunities for growth.
As always,
Live with purpose.