Resilient Leadership. We need it now, more than ever.

Over the past decades, we have seen economic inflation, logistics and supply chain disruptions, wars and conflicts, environmental catastrophes and pandemics, but all happening at the same time? Now, more than ever, we need resilient leadership to cope with disruptive changes, overcome challenges and thrive in these turbulent times.

Upon completing a Udemy course on Resilient Leadership (Resilient Leadership by Beth A. Payne Udemy), I realized how critically important these skills are in our increasingly challenging world. Initially, I expected the course to be solely training the individual how to be a resilient leader but it is more than that, much more. It is also about developing resilient teams. A highly resilient leader in a troubled team may be doing more harm than good. Team members feel they will never match up to or meet their leader’s resilience and expectations. Further literary research also emphasizes the importance of developing resilient teams to face setbacks and challenges.

To develop a resilient team, there must first be a shared purpose that binds the members together. Some organizations call this their Vision or Mission statement. Whatever the name, the Team’s beliefs, goals and objectives have to be the same. All members are moving and thinking in the same direction.

The environment should be an open and safe space for members to communicate freely and share their stories. Members may all have a common purpose but their inner “why” could be different. Sharing personal inspirations help to strengthen bonds that tie the members together.  With stronger bonds, communication among members becomes more effective. There is trust in the information shared and a willingness to contribute constructive information. Effective leaders first seek to listen and then have the courage to speak, even if sometimes the message is not positive. They keep the communication flowing, both ways, and connect with empathy. As leaders, how do we build an open and safe environment for our team? By leading with integrity. Oxford Languages defines it as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.”.  With integrity, trust can be earned.

Resilient leadership assists others to be resilient in times of crisis. They give mutual support, helping others adapt to challenges and rebound from adversity. Team members work in synchrony, complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They are cohesive, believing that they are stronger as a team than as individuals.

Resilient leadership consists of having a positive, optimistic vision of the present and future. They possess the skill and courage to communicate this vision effectively to others. Encouraging the team to persevere to reach their goals.

In addition to looking after themselves mentally and physically, resilient leaders also care for their team’s health and wellbeing. They lead by example and encourage others to live healthy lifestyles by eating healthily, exercising regularly and take time off to de-stress and re-charge.

Some 2500 years ago, Sun Tzu wrote in the 10th section of the Earth/Terrain chapter in the Art of War.

視卒如嬰兒故可以與之赴深溪視卒如愛子故可與之俱死

“Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.”