Leading with Resilience
LifeForward’s leadership development programmes help leaders to excel. We enable individuals and leadership teams to gain confidence to lead with authenticity and vision.
Resilience in leadership
At LifeForward we have been looking at resilience – what is it; can we improve it – and, if so, how can we improve it? We have had a lot of interest from clients on this topic as leaders and teams alike are feeling the strain of continued restrictions and uncertainty around COVID.
What is reslience?
So, what is resilience? In broad terms, it is the ability to bounce back after a crisis; the ability to pick oneself up and be hopeful about the future, even when current circumstances are difficult. Perhaps there is also an element of “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”.
Becoming more resilient
This leads us to the next question: is resilience something we are born with; is it genetic; or is it a skill to be learnt, something that we develop as we grow? There seems to be enough evidence to support the idea that resilience can be developed, albeit that we all have differing levels of innate resilience as our starting point.
Resilience coaching and workshops
Insights® has come up with a model of resilience with eight “resilience factors”. It’s a very practical model and one we love working with as it fits well with our coaching mindset at LifeForward.
Leaders can explore the impact of stress on performance and behaviour, both positive and negative, and develop their own awareness of causes of stress.
Through personal reflection leaders consider the differences impacting personal resilience within the context of colour energy preferences; they identify their personal resilience resources and drains and begin to build a personal resilience strategy.
Leadership resources for workshops and coaching include:
Insights Discovery Personal Profile | E-learning Module | Job Aids for Building a Resilience Strategy and Identifying Stress Factors.
Working with the Insights Resilince Model – a Coaching Mindset
Why work with Resilience?
Understanding resilience and stress management gives leaders tools and resources to to focus the mind.
Letting go of negative thought patterns and energy-draining reactions, leaders consider how to use their energy and what falls within their circle of influence/circle of concern.
By taking charge, leaders learn to move from ‘reacting’ to ‘responding’, giving them a greater degree of self-control over their reactions and decisions.
Acceptance
Acceptance is the ability to face-down reality and form an honest, realistic assessment of current circumstances – the good and the not so good.
Meaning and Purpose
Having an overall sense of meaning and purpose can help us keep difficulties in perspective. With meaning and purpose, we are able to make a connection between the challenging present and a more fulfilling and positive future. Everyone should dare to dream.
Self-care
Self-care – managing our physical, mental and emotional well-being all contribute to maintenance of a positive outlook – both in terms of our own capabilities and also in terms of our engagement with the world around us.
Self-efficacy
Self-efficacy – the ability to make realistic plans and take steps to carry them out. Self-efficacy requires a positive self-belief. As in coaching, it’s important to believe that the plans are achievable.
Talk to us today to discuss how we can help.
Email: coaching@lifeforward.com.sg
WhatsApp/FaceTime +44 7982 812042
Or drop us a line to request a Zoom meeting
