Strategies for Cultivating Resilience in the Workplace

When you hear the word “resilience,” what comes to mind? Maybe you thought of “strong” or “tough.” People who are resilient seem to have the ability to keep going and going, and even when they are knocked down, they get up. In the workplace, resilient people are able to problem-solve, can be flexible, and roll with the punches. Those who are struggling to keep up with similar demands may wonder, “Could I ever be like that?” Absolutely!  

If you are in management, you may be looking for ways to boost company morale and encourage resilience and problem-solving. Read on to learn specific strategies for building your team’s resilience. 

The Importance of Support Systems 

To foster resilience, you must have time to recharge and a safe place to fall and make mistakes. We have all experienced work days where the stress is neverending, and we begin to doubt our abilities. When we feel alone and stressed, we sometimes store that stress internally, which can lead to burnout. When we feel connected to our coworkers and feel safe in our work culture, we feel less alone. Whether it is a trusted colleague, manager, or mentor in your field, it is important to discuss emotions and problem-solve. No one person can solve everything on their own.  

For managers, it is crucial to allow space for employees to come and share their ideas and struggles. When employees feel listened to and respected, their confidence will grow. By providing support and validation, over time, employees will feel empowered to make creative decisions that will positively affect the company.1 Employees who trust their managers also stay much longer, positively affecting retention rates. 

Strategies for Building Resilience For Managers 

As a manager, it is your responsibility to encourage the team. With different personalities and work styles at play, it can be difficult to support and get everyone on the same page. Some strategies to encourage team closeness and confidence include: 

Group Outings 

Group outings as a team are not only fun but also a change of pace from the average workday. You may be thinking, “How is having fun with my team building resilience?” The first step in building an employee’s resilience is to show them that you see them as a person and not just a worker. This involves some vulnerability, which is not always comfortable but is important. When employees feel seen and valued as unique individuals, their unique skills and problem-solving abilities are showcased. This increases commitment and retention. 

Focusing on Prevention

When mishaps or crises happen at work, stress levels rise. While some crises cannot be predicted, many stressful moments at work are common and can be avoided by practicing beforehand. One suggestion would be to host monthly problem-solving meetings. Brainstorming and planning out potential roadblocks before they happen is a smart tactic and helps build resilience among employees. It comes back to confidence- the more confident employees feel, the more company resiliency rises. 

Encourage Feedback 

As a manager, you are very important. You help “keep the ship afloat” by ensuring things run smoothly. It can be isolating and leave you feeling disconnected from your employees. However, being open to feedback from employees is important. If you have a suggestion box, take time to go through and read what is being said. Ask for feedback in meetings and do not react defensively to what is said. This ensures that the team is really working together in the smoothest way possible. This practice fosters respect and closeness, leading to better retention and resiliency. 

Building Resiliency as an Employee 

Working on Coping Skills 

Developing resiliency is hard work. Life is not easy, and we learn many lessons along the way. It can be hard to keep going when you barely have time for yourself. Taking the time for yourself to recharge is essential- we cannot pour from an empty cup. Whether that be meditation, reading a book, taking an after-work walk, or binging Netflix- it doesn’t matter. Taking care of your physical body and emotional health cannot be ignored for the sake of productivity.  

Seeking out Mental Health Services 

Job stress is a very common reason for adults and young adults to seek out therapy. If you are feeling like you are just too sensitive and need to “tough it out”, remember this: The percentage of U.S. adults receiving mental health treatment rose from 19.2% in 2019 to 21.6% in 2021. You are not alone in needing extra help. Seeking a professional to help is one of the bravest things you can do for yourself. It also shows you are not going to give up, a trait of resiliency. Therapy is a wonderful resource to help you rebuild support systems and become more confident in your ability to handle life’s stressors.   

Working Together  

When employees seek out their own coping strategies and feel heard, respected, and validated by managers, the positive possibilities for the team are endless. Confidence leads to resiliency, which leads to better work performance, creative problem-solving strategies, and improved retention rates.