Becoming a Resilient Leader

Resilient leaders embody the ability to recover from and adjust to difficult and complex situations effectively. As a leader, you will encounter uncertain and volatile times on your journey. However, developing your ability to be more resilient will ensure that you and your team will overcome those challenges and be more successful. Individuals who want to build their resiliency and become better leaders can do so by implementing the following actions: reflect, recover, and refocus.



Reflect

The first step to building your resiliency as a leader is allowing yourself to reflect after a difficult event. Consider what happened, what did not happen, and what should have happened. The intent is not to dwell on the problem but to conduct a retrospective analysis. Doing so will allow you to see what areas might be out of your sphere of control. Chasing after things you cannot change will keep you trapped in an unproductive cycle. Instead, you will find greater success by directing that energy in a more productive area. Reflect on tasks you might need to let go of and delegate, projects that need to be re-assigned, or training gaps on your team. Taking time to reflect on these areas after moments of high pressure will help build your resilience and increase your future success.   

Recover

The second step to becoming a resilient leader is understanding the importance of self-care and its impact on productivity. As a result, you will begin prioritizing the well-being of yourself and your employees. Resilient leaders know when it is time to give themselves a break. Constantly worrying without taking time to replenish yourself is a path that will lead to burnout. Step away from the situation and do something that brings you peace and joy. Doing so will build your stamina and endurance for future situations. In addition, recovering from setbacks is more than just getting up physically and pushing forward. It involves mental recovery as well. Resilient leaders remind themselves that failure is a necessary part of growth. Therefore, give yourself the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. A calm and recharged mind has a greater capacity to bounce back after an adverse situation than a constantly stressed mind. 

Refocus

The final step to becoming a more resilient leader is to possess the ability to refocus. Adapting to or overcoming problems sometimes means that you have to alter your goals or objectives. Effective leaders are receptive to the possibility of newer and better ways of doing things. They recognize that sometimes traditions must change. This entails more than just a passion for innovation; it requires having a growth mindset and being open to new techniques, methods, technologies, etc. Resilient leaders are willing to refocus their vision, whether making slight alterations or creating a new plan altogether. They look for ways to refocus others and get them on board, seek new opportunities to motivate their employees and brainstorm new ideas to cultivate greater teamwork. Resilient leaders learn from the past, work efficiently in the present, and prepare strategically for the future.