The Art of Resilience

We’re more connected than ever. Many of us feel like we’re always on with work sneaking into every corner of our lives. It's no surprise that the CDC¹ reports a quarter of all employees view their jobs as the number one stressor in their lives.

In this environment, resilience—our ability to adapt, recover, and keep moving forward under pressure—isn’t just a “nice to have”; it’s critical for sustaining performance and well-being.

However, many organizations struggle to support their employees in managing an always-on work environment. To combat this, leaders must take personal action to prioritize building resilience.

In a comprehensive survey conducted by IBM, over 5,000 business executives across 21 industries in over 70 countries revealed that the "scope, scale, and speed" of their businesses are rapidly increasing due to technological disruption and evolving business models.

The good news is that resilience is not an innate trait reserved for a select few. Decades of research affirm that resilience training works. Resilience can be built through specific attitudes, behaviors, and social supports that anyone can adopt. By embracing a few key practices we can not only enhance our own resilience but also set the tone for a more resilient culture within our teams and organizations.

Practice Mindfulness

More than just a buzzword—mindfulness is a powerful practice that can transform the way we approach our work and daily challenges. It enhances job-related problem-solving, boosts adaptable thinking, and reduces stress, helping you stay sharp and resilient.

At its core, mindfulness is about being fully present and engaged in the moment, with a non-judgmental awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.

Tips For Practicing Mindfulness 

• Take short, intentional breaks to breathe deeply
• Refocus your attention on the present moment during tasks
• Regularly pause to check in with your thoughts and feelings, maintaining a neutral attitude toward them
• To make mindfulness a foundational element of your organizational culture, consider:
  • Implementing various learning modalities—such as onsite training, webinars, and peer-to-peer networks
  • Integrate mindfulness into core talent processes like onboarding, performance conversations, and leadership development 

Learn to Compartmentalize

Let’s face it, many of us often face more data and tasks than we can realistically handle. While we can’t control the constant flow of information, we can compartmentalize our cognitive load. This may help us reduce stress and anxiety, boost focus and productivity, and sharpen decision-making by clearing mental clutter. 

How to Make This Change

• Schedule dedicated times in your day for specific work-related activities
• Focus on one task at a time—serial monotasking
• Eliminate distractions as much as possible

Practice Compassion

According to the Harvard Business Review², “One of the most overlooked aspects of the resilience skill set is the ability to cultivate compassion.” Compassion supports resilience by fostering positive emotions, strengthening work relationships, and boosting cooperation and collaboration.

How to Increase Compassion

• Set the intention to practice compassion more consciously every day
• Pay attention to moments when you are compassionate versus when you’re not (including towards yourself)
• Incorporate regular compassion practices like Lovingkindness meditation
• Consider training programs for yourself and/or your team (preliminary research indicates that compassion can be cultivated through systematic training programs)
• Get more tips from Greater Good in Action (GGIA), the GGSC’s library of science-based compassion practices

Adopt a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset—the belief that abilities can be developed through effort and learning—fosters perseverance through challenges, improves learning outcomes, and boosts adaptability in changing environments. When we embrace a growth mindset, we recognize that setbacks are temporary, so, we keep moving forward, meeting and overcoming challenges as they arise.

How to Make This Change

• Reframe challenges as opportunities to learn rather than obstacles
• View feedback and mistakes as valuable tools for growth and improvement
• Question your current assumptions—including those around leadership traits and roles as discussed

Improve Decision-Making Skills

Resilience is closely tied to effectively solving problems and making sound decisions. When faced with challenges, taking the time to carefully assess the pros and cons of each potential solution allows us to make well-informed decisions. This deliberate approach reinforces our ability to navigate obstacles and setbacks thoughtfully and strategically.

Tips for Better Decision-Making

In an interview, Don Moore, a Berkeley Haas Professor, lays out the fundamental process of good decision-making:

• Define a set of possible options
• Identify key differences among them (For example: price, location, etc. when choosing between two houses)
• Weigh each dimension's importance
• Score the options and add them up
• Recognize and address potential biases that might cloud your judgment

 “Humans are vulnerable to biases like the availability bias, which leads us to overestimate the likelihood of memorable events, such as fearing flying more than driving despite the statistics.”   - Don Moore, Professor

Practice Self-Care

Self-care shouldn’t be a last resort when you begin to feel overwhelmed; it should be an integral part of your daily routine. Taking time to pause, reflect, and recharge is essential for building resilience and sustaining your well-being. It improves your capacity to handle stress and workplace pressures and builds your energy reserves so you can draw on them in times of need.

Self-care tips

• Prioritize the basics: get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and maintain a balanced diet
• Engage in activities that bring you joy and energize you
• Be sure to take regular breaks
• Set boundaries and resist the urge to take on extra projects or work longer hours
• Pay attention to signs of burnout and actively work to prevent it

Final Thoughts on Being Resilient

In our hyper-connected world, where stressors seem to surround us, building resilience is no longer just a personal asset—it’s a crucial part of creating a sustainable, thriving work environment. By committing to small, everyday actions, we can strengthen ourselves and inspire resilience within our teams, ensuring we can all navigate uncertainty with confidence and purpose.

References

1. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-101/default.html#:~:text=Scope%20of%2…
2. https://hbr.org/2016/06/627-building-resilience-ic-5-ways-to-build-your-personal-resilience-at-work
3. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/compassion_across_cubicles
4. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2023/07/11/building-resilience-in-the-workplace-strategies-for-success/
5. https://executive.berkeley.edu/thought-leadership/blog/power-and-balance-growth-mindset-benefits-both-men-women
6. https://executive.berkeley.edu/thought-leadership/blog/decision-making-interview-don-moore