Building Resiliency

How to Thrive in Times of ChangeCenter for Creative Leadership

“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.”

How Resilience WorksHarvard Business ReviewMay, 2002

RESILENCY

Definition:Resilience means we can be

challenged and not break down. It is the ability to bounce back, learn,

and even thrive in the face of adversity.

Because change is so pervasive. Organizations change mission, strategy or focus. Staff turnover and budget struggles all create

change in their wake!

Why is Resiliency Important?

Can You Become Resilient??

Nine Areas of Resilience1. Acceptance of Change

How can I succeed when the rules have changed??This is the way I have always done it!!

• Pay attention to the people and the work around you. Seek out new challenges that stretch your skill or minimize your weaknesses

• Pay attention to your mental well-being. Take discomfort as a signal to explore your feelings and thoughts.

• Examine change on its own terms – what can you control

2. Continuous Learning• At the end of each day write down one thing you learned or one thing you knew already but had confirmed• Review a professional disappointment that occurred recently (past 6 months). What is your perspective now.• Look back on a professional success that occurred in your career. What do you know now that you didn’t know then?

Time

Performance

Learning

The Learning Curve

Think about a struggle you’ve successfully dealt with…

3. Self Empowerment

• What are your strengths?

• Develop new strengths

• Create your own board of directors or advisors.

4. Sense of Purpose

• Why?• Why do you do the work that you do?• What gives it meaning?• Flow

Is there a difference between who you are

And what you do?

5. Personal Identity

• Your job is just one facet of your identity

• Sense of personal identity creates links between: feelings, beliefs, values and actions!

•"The essence of metaphor is understanding and experiencing one kind of thing in terms of another."

• Develop a personal metaphor for your goals I’m forever hitting a brick wall I’m the captain of my fate

6. Personal and Professional Networks

“Developing a good-sized network is truly a transferable skill”

• Personal as well as professional relationships create a

strong base of support.

7. Reflection

• Establish Routines that build in reflection

• Rearrange priorities to make time for reflection

• Use your performance appraisal as time for reflection

• Keep a journal

8. Skill Shifting

• Don’t be afraid to change your definition

• Where else would your skills be appreciated?

9. Relationship to Money

• Nowhere is it more evident how you relate to the outside world than your attitude toward money!

Time

Performance

Learning

The Valley of Chaos

Surviving a challenge

• Continuous learning• Realistic optimism• Sense of purpose and meaning• Ritualized Ingenuity• Social Network

Fostering Individual Resilience

• Establish a learning culture• Create a compelling vision or

“sticky” message• Create opportunities to innovate• Networks that extend across

boundaries• http://kimandjason.com/blog/ • Cuteoverload.com

Fostering Organizational Resilience