We are Disrupted

We live in an era of disruption constantly fearing change and this fear elevates when the change is not in our control. It is not something that we as humans plan to do or avoid but it comes naturally, involuntarily, due to our fear of uncertainty. This fear is not something new. It dates back to our ancestors, who in their times did not move outside their area in search of food even if the resource was depleted, even if it meant slow, certain death. They preferred constancy because they thought that change would bring a lack of safety. Even now, when COVID has wreaked havoc upon the world, not only us on an individual level, but entire industries have been adversely shaken too. 

Carla Marie Manly, Ph.D., clinical psychologist, explains why humans operate in this way. In one of her interviews, she says, “We experience less stress and anxiety when life is predictable because we know what to expect. We feel agitated and apprehensive when life isn’t predictable and we don’t know what’s around the corner.”

But the actual truth is that even though our lives are disturbed, life goes on. A lotus flower, for example, blooms from dirty waters in the deepest recesses of our living world. Petal by petal, resilient, gorgeous, and full, they rise to the surface. It’s not an easy rise, riding to the top. Underneath the murkiness, we are born of nutrients, a seemingly improbable place for tenderness and beauty to arise.

The universe speaks, our ecology speaks. Our inner world, the human situation, is reflected in nature and our biosphere. During the most difficult of times, we strive to adapt to a hostile environment of muddy waters. To common assumption, it might seem easy but getting out of that puddle is a herculean task that requires grit and resilience.

So now the question is, how can you remain nimble and flexible enough at scale to deal with unforeseeable challenges and changes? That’s not something you can purchase off the shelf or order online. It’s a problem that goes beyond technology. People must be encouraged to think outside the box and especially leaders. But where do they begin and how do they enlist their help in effecting change?

What is Resilience? 

Resilience is defined as the ability to work through, survive and bounce back from a challenging situation as well as the ability to deal with adversity. But it is not like a trampoline, that if you fall, you bounce back. It is more like finding the correct path and succeeding in that path. So, investigating resilience allows us to recognise that it is a trait that is distinctly particular and unique. Building up your good emotions, being aware, and appreciating your personal bank of positivity are all part of this process.

Who are Resilient Leaders? 

Today’s leaders may be caught in the middle of a tsunami! The tsunami slams into the shore, destroying, altering, and disrupting everything in its path. The crucial term in this face of constant change is survival. What does it mean to “ride the waves”? It entails riding out any major disruptions, such as global terrorism, pandemics, and economic downturns, as well as recognising and preparing for megatrends like digitization, climate change, and social transformation. 

A resilient leader has the ability to respond to unforeseen situations that are critical to their survival. They not only respond to such situations but also make sure that they sustain their energy level and bounce out of the disruption. The most important element of resilient leadership is that these leaders come out of adversity without engaging in dysfunctional behaviour and making sure that others are not hampered in the process. 

When faced with a chronic crisis or adversity, resilient leaders display the ability to heal, learn, and develop. We all need to grasp the components of resilience and figure out which ones work best for us. Resilience, according to author Warren Bennis, lies at the heart of effective leadership. “I believe that adaptive ability, or resilience, is the single most crucial attribute in a leader, or anybody else for that matter, who wishes to live a healthy and fulfilling life.”

Skills of Resilient Leaders 

Hansen of the Resilience Institute published a report in 2018 based on 21,239 responses that showed how resilience assessment diagnostic tools were used around the world in five languages, with the results highlighting that humans are a complex mix of physical, emotional, and cognitive characteristics that require integrated solutions. They regarded high-score assets (manage stress; energise body; engage emotion, train mind, the spirit in action) as evidence of resilience, whereas low-score liabilities included being a perfectionist (depressed, distressed, vulnerable, withdrawn, disengaged, and confused). Fatigue, intensity, concern, self-criticism, overload, apathy, chronic symptoms, sloth, self-doubt, and hypervigilance were identified as key liability variables in this study.