In today's dynamic and fast-paced work environments, resilience has emerged as a crucial attribute for individuals and organisations to thrive amidst challenges. This is also essential for leaders to know. Here are some tips to help alongside self-coaching strategy..
Resilience in the workplace refers to the ability to come back from setbacks and adapt to change. Maintaining high performance levels despite adversity in a constantly changing environment is essential. While resilience is a personal trait, several factors within the workplace can significantly contribute to its development and cultivation. As leaders, YOU can help your people gain resilience and, therefore, increase the performance of your teams.
Here, we explore the top five contributors to resilience in the workplace, which leaders can adhere to to increase performance and well-being and some self-coaching tips.
Supportive and Empowering Leadership Style
Effective leadership plays a pivotal role in fostering resilience among employees. Supportive leaders create an environment where employees feel valued, heard, and empowered. They provide guidance, encouragement, and constructive feedback, helping employees navigate through difficult situations. Supportive leaders also lead by example, demonstrating resilience in their own actions and decision-making processes, which inspires confidence and motivation among team members.
For Self Coaching, Ask Yourself:
Do I support my team?
What can I do more to help?
How can I empower my people and be a better leader?
Open Communication Building Psychological Safety
Transparent and open communication channels are essential for building resilience in the workplace. When employees feel free to express their thoughts, concerns, and ideas without fear of judgment or reprisal, they are more likely to cope effectively with challenges. Open communication fosters trust, collaboration, and a sense of belonging, creating a supportive atmosphere where individuals can seek assistance, share resources, and work together to overcome obstacles.
For Self Coaching, Ask Yourself:
Do I communicate enough?
Do I give clarity to my teams?
Is there more or less I should be sharing to give my team confidence?
Opportunities for Growth and Development
Providing opportunities for continuous learning and professional development is another key contributor to resilience in the workplace. Employees with access to training programs, workshops, mentorship opportunities, and career advancement prospects feel more equipped to face new challenges and adapt to changing circumstances. Continuous learning enhances employees' skills and knowledge and boosts their confidence and resilience by expanding their capacity to tackle diverse tasks and responsibilities.
For Self Coaching, Ask Yourself:
What do we give our team members in terms of training?
Do we cover personal development as well as technical skills?
What can we do more of?
Creating A Work-Life Balance
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for promoting resilience among employees. Organisations that prioritise employee well-being by offering flexible work arrangements, promoting self-care initiatives, and encouraging time off help individuals recharge and rejuvenate, reducing the risk of burnout and enhancing resilience. A balanced approach to work and personal life enables employees to manage stress more effectively, maintain high levels of motivation and productivity, and sustain their performance over the long term.
For Self Coaching, Ask Yourself:
Do I get enough downtime?
Do I give enough downtime to my team members?
What can I do to really switch off and relax?
Recognition And Appreciation For ALL Aspects Of Workplace Contributions
Acknowledging and appreciating employees' contributions is a fundamental aspect of building resilience in the workplace. This can include technical performance (hitting targets) and behavioural/ teamwork attributes. When individuals feel valued and recognised for their efforts and achievements, they develop a sense of pride, loyalty, and commitment to their work and the organisation. Recognition can take various forms, including verbal praise, rewards, incentives, and opportunities for advancement. By celebrating success and highlighting strengths, organisations foster a positive work culture that bolsters employees' resilience and fosters a sense of optimism and perseverance.
For Self Coaching, Ask Yourself:
Do we have enough recognition for good performance? Internally and externally?
How often do I personally show appreciation for my team members?
What would my team members say about my ability to provide great feedback and appreciation?
In conclusion, resilience in the workplace is influenced by various factors, including supportive leadership, open communication, opportunities for growth and development, work-life balance, and recognition and appreciation. By prioritizing these contributors, organisations can create a resilient work environment where employees are empowered to overcome challenges, adapt to change, and thrive in the face of adversity. Investing in resilience strengthens individual capabilities and enhances organisational performance and success in today's ever-evolving business landscape.
Caroline Langston is the Co-Founder of Successful Consultants Ltd, an Executive, Personal and Executive Career Development Coaching company in Hong Kong and New York. Caroline is dedicated to coaching people to achieve performance success, wellness, and happiness in their careers and lives. She is degree-qualified and is currently studying with King’s College London for an MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health. With a Certificate in Professional Coaching Mastery, she is also a Professional Certified Accredited Coach (International Coaching Federation), has a Certificate in Team Coaching from the EMCC and further certifications in Neuro Linguistic Programming at Master Practitioner and Coach level. www.successCL.com