Why Resilience Is So Important for Managers Today
Citius – altius – fortius (faster – higher – stronger). The motto of the Olympic Games also determines the daily work and leadership routine in many places. The demands placed on employees and leaders, and which they place on themselves, are constantly increasing and changing faster than was previously the case. Digitalization and artificial intelligence are inexorably changing our working world and contributing to the transformation of everyday leadership. At the same time, the desire for balance, self-determination and freedom of choice is growing. In a world that is becoming increasingly complex and uncertain, managers have to make decisions every day, often without being able to fully assess the consequences. This uncertainty requires not only strategic skills but also the ability to deal with failure, change and stressful situations. Resilience is the key to not only remaining stable yourself but also to successfully leading teams through uncertain times.
Resilience vs. Stress Management: The Crucial Difference
While zarządzanie stresem often attempts to alleviate existing problems, resilience goes a step further. It is the ability to deal with challenges preventively and to grow in the long term. A comparison from research illustrates this aptly: stress management is like treating an illness, while resilience is equivalent to promoting health. Leaders who are resilient not only manage to stabilize themselves, but also to positively influence the behavior of their employees by setting a good example.
Resilience as a Leadership Task: Role Model and Cultural Change
Resilience begins with the leader themselves, but goes far beyond that. A resilient leader lives as a role model for how to deal with challenges, thereby creating a culture in which employees can also become more resilient.
A strong sense of resilience has a direct impact on job satisfaction and employee retention. In times of a shortage of skilled workers, this is a crucial success factor. Leaders who work on their resilience have a lasting impact on teams – whether it’s through an improved error management culture or an open and supportive work environment.
The Resilience Factors: What Leaders Can Work On
According to the persolog® Model odporności, resilience can be observed in 10 different factors that can be specifically trained. Here are three examples:
- Acceptance: The ability to accept things that cannot be changed. Leaders who can accept that not everything goes according to plan are better equipped to react flexibly.
- Self-efficacy: A strong belief in one’s own abilities and the conviction that challenges can be overcome. Leaders with this ability can continue to pursue their goals despite setbacks and overcome difficulties.
- Impulse control: The ability to react in a controlled manner in stressful situations, thereby fostering trust among employees. A key skill for leaders to be respected and to foster a positive team culture.
An overview of all 10 factors can be found here. The resilience factors can be strengthened through targeted reflection and exercises.
3 Practical Tips for Leaders: Developing and Promoting Resilience
How can leaders specifically increase their resilience? A proven approach is to start with self-reflection:
- Analyzing your own resilience: Which of the 10 resilience factors are already strong in me and where is there potential for development? The persolog® Personal Resilience Profile makes it possible to find out exactly that. The self-assessment helps to reflect on one’s own resources and to identify areas for development.
- Targeted exercises: There are specific approaches for each resilience factor, whether through mental techniques, coaching or the development of new routines. This has a visible impact on one’s own leadership behavior. Leaders can thus strengthen their own resilience in a targeted way and become a role model of resilience for their employees.
- Developing employees: Leaders can also specifically develop the resilience of their teams – through workshops, by introducing resilience-promoting team routines such as peer counseling or individual coaching.
Tool tip for managers: The “Resilient as a Leader” fan deck gives you over 30 techniques and tips for promoting both your own resilience and that of your employees in the 10 factors of the persolog® resilience model.
Conclusion: Resilience as the Key to Sustainable Success
In an increasingly uncertain world, resilience is the basis for successful leadership. It helps to overcome challenges, promote growth and create a positive team culture. Leaders who work on their resilience are not only better equipped to deal with stress and crises, but also inspire their employees to do the same. When resilience becomes an integral part of a company’s leadership strategy, a resilient organization is created that is prepared for the future.
Do you want to know more?
Then our Webinar “Resilient for Leaders” with Debora Karsch and Prof. Dr. Dirk Wolff is perfect for you! In this webinar you will…
- Discover what lies behind the concept of “resilience” and why resilience plays a crucial role, especially for leaders
- Make resilience tangible for leaders and employees by developing your understanding as a leader or as a trainer/coach
- Benefit from the positive impact on the entire team generated by the inspiration of resilient leaders
