Resilience Roadshow-----------

Alan BradshawBusiness Psychologist

Partner, Work-Life Solutionswww.the-stress-site.net

alan@work-life-solutions.co.uk1

About Alan BradshawInvolved in stress management field since 1996Founded UK-wide stress consultancy 1998Developed training and tools around stress

management and wellbeing at workNow Partner in Work-Life SolutionsAim is to promote evidence-based approachesWork primarily with psychologistsPartner/collaborate with organisations

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What we’re covering todayWhat is resilience?Psychology ‘snippets’Rosy glow exerciseDiscussion of positive psychology

approachesResilience at work; Organisational

resilienceResources and toolsFollow-upDiscussion and questions

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What is ‘Resilience’?A number of different but related aspects..Ability to cope with stressAbility to manage emotions (not suppress them)Mental toughness or ‘hardiness’ – remaining

resilient despite difficult circumstancesAbility to ‘bounce back’ from or overcome adversityRelated to the meaning (attitude) people attach to

adverse events (Perspective is incredibly important!)Recent research has shifted focus from protective

factors to protective processes

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A definition of resilience...

Resilience is an individual's ability to generate biological, psychological and social factors to resist, adapt and strengthen itself, when faced with an environment of risk, generating individual, social and moral success. Oscar Chapital C. (2011)

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Another definition...Resilience comprises a set of flexible cognitive,

behavioural and emotional responses to acute or chronic adversities which can be unusual or commonplace. These responses can be learned and are within the grasp of everyone; resilience is not a rare quality given to a chosen few. While many factors affect the development of resilience, the most important one is the attitude you adopt to deal with adversity. Therefore, attitude (meaning) is the heart of resilience. Neenan & Dryden (2009)

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(Resilience) Psychology ‘Snippets’Hardiness: the 3 C’s, Commitment, Control,

Challenge (Kobasa, Maddi)Locus of control: internal/external (Rotter)Self-efficacy: beliefs about our ability (Bandura)Salutogenesis/Sense of Coherence: (Antonovski)

Comprehensibility, Manageability, MeaningfulnessCognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): ABC + DEMindfulness: attention, intention (purpose), attitude

(living deliberately in the present moment)Emotional Regulation of Others and Self (EROS)Positive Psychology: what contributes to wellbeing;

what enables us to thrive and flourish (Seligman)

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The Rosy Glow Exercise (step 1)Please reflect for a moment on all the things that

give you a ‘rosy glow’. These are the feel-good things that when you reflect on them give you feelings of happiness, enjoyment, contentment, satisfaction and/or a sense of wellbeing.

What are they? They could be related to: people, places, pets, works of art, music, memories, activities, achievements, nature, spirituality,... whatever is meaningful to you and gives you a sense of wellbeing

Please write down all the things that come to mind...

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Step 2: In pairs (or threes...)Your job is to find out as much as you can about the

other person - you have 10 mins for this exercise...What’s really important to this person?What makes them feel fulfilled, happy and satisfied?What does this person absolutely love doing and

why? (their passions and interests)?Who are the most important people in their life?What organisations do they belong to / what causes

do they believe in or support?What achievements are they most proud of?

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Positive Psychology:Seligman’s Theory of Wellbeing

P Positive EmotionE EngagementR RelationshipsM MeaningA Accomplishment

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Building resilience at work?Based on what we have been discussing about

resilience and Positive Psychology, reflect on the following question, then discuss with a partner(s)

What can we do to enable resilience and positive wellbeing at work?

Afterwards we’ll have a short feedback session

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Resilience at Work (some areas)Quality of Working Life (QoWL)Awareness, attitudes and behavioursImplementation intentions (for work pressures)Strengths and person-job fit; flowSustainable employee engagementPositive communications (Losada ratios)Control and acceptance; enabling controlPositive working relationships and supportWhat-went-well (Appreciative Inquiry)Finding meaning and purpose at work

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Org Resilience and negative eventsNegative events happen with increasing frequencyAssociated stress has significant human impactsThis can and should be planned for, including:

Opportunities for people to voice concernsProvision of appropriate supportCommunications with those affectedStress management and resilience trainingMaking sure services are maintained

How well does your organisation deal with adversity?

BSi – Human aspects of business continuity15

Resources and Tools...There are resources everywhere you can tap into...

(it’s your choice!)The most important resilience resource is yourself...

Also, this resource can be increased in multiple waysAlmost limitless external resources...Other people are a huge and important resource

This resource can be increased in multiple ways tooLimitless web resources (but...)Resilience and positive psychology toolsAlan will forward some of the best tools and

resources

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Positive psychology resources

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EROS (Emotion Regulation)

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Follow-up info and resourcesI will be sending you follow-up emails with:Information resources and researchWeb-based tools and questionnairesTrain-the-trainer course:

Building Resilience Through Positive Psychology

In-house training and coachingRecommended books

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Thanks for listening!Any questions before we close?Please hand in completed evaluation forms

before you goI’ll be in touch with follow-up information

and resources

Alan BradshawPartner, Work-Life Solutions

alan@work-life-solutions.co.ukwww.the-stress-site.net

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