Originally a term used by engineers, resilience is a positive adaptation to stress. With human beings, resilience amounts to an ability to recover from setbacks, remain flexible during times of transition, and persevere when challenged. Setbacks, transitions, and challenges come in different shapes and sizes—and run the gamut, from personal to professional or from national to international.
According to one study, the three most common stressors that cause people to draw on these “resilience reserves” are 1) managing conflict with co-workers, 2) accepting personal criticism, and 3) being overworked. So, team dynamics and work environment play an important role in people’s perception of their stress and need for resilience.
Luckily we can learn to be more resilient, support one another, and create stronger environments. As individuals, we can develop a more positive outlook and cultivate mindfulness. As team members, we can learn to better manage our own emotions and communicate more effectively. As leaders and managers, we can provide greater workspace flexibility or direct emotional support to employees (which can also boost productivity).
To help support you in your efforts in these areas, CNE is offering a set of workshops on resilient teams, self-care for direct service providers, and mindfulness at work.