The moment we’re living in has elevated resilience from a desirable trait to a vital skill—for individuals, teams and organizations. But what practical steps can you take to put this skill into practice? Let’s take a moment to pause and reflect.
Some of us are uncannily good at the art of tubthumping (getting knocked down and getting back up again 😉). Others less so.
Psychologists have identified traits that make certain people more naturally resilient: optimism, the ability to regulate emotions and the ability to see failure as a form of helpful feedback.
Your inherent nature plays a role, but experts have found that resilience can be taught. To anyone. Now seems like a great time to start learning.
On the personal front, these tips are a great starting point. Our favourite: support others. Studies show that receiving support from friends makes us more resilient. But the effect is even stronger when you’re the one doing the supporting.
One the business front, Rishad Tobaccowala predicts that companies will soon be working hard to boost resiliency on multiple fronts. This could include shrinking full-time staff and increasing the usage of contractors—even once the crisis has passed.
Measures like this remind us of another interesting concept: optionality. In simple terms, it’s about avoiding limiting choices, staying open to opportunities and always having a backup plan.
How can you apply all of this to your work as a marketing leader? First, take advantage of the current slow-down and do some spring cleaning, clearing away waste and clutter—plus anything that unduly narrows your options.
