How to Cultivate Resilience
"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson
Resilience is the ability to bounce back stronger after set-backs or failures. This is an indispensable trait for managers in government. We inevitably experience set-backs and failures because there are so many elements of our work that we do not control. Accomplishing anything meaningful takes time, perseverance, and a lot of resilience. Without resilience it's easy to slip into a negative cycle of cynicism and learned helplessness. Don't let that happen to you.
Articles
- Bouncing Back from Set-Backs, by Don Jacobson
It's difficult to get things done in government. Feelings of frustration and disappointment can lead to cynicism and a sense of helplessness--but there are ways to guard against that. - Rumination: The #1 Reason You Are Stressed and How to Change It
Excellent article from the Center for Creative Leadership on how to stop undermining your resilience.
- The 7Cs of Team Resilience, by Beth Payne
It takes effort to build a resilient team, but doing so can help your unit thrive both during and after a crisis. - The Power of Resilience, by Russ Linden
Provides tips on how to develop reslience for yourself and build it into your organization.
- To Be Happier, Focus on What's Within Your Control, by Massimo Pigliucci
Article from Aeon on the benefits of following lessons from the Stoic philosopher Epictetus.
- The Road to Resilience
Helpful brochure from the American Psychological Association.
Books
The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
In The Obstacle is the Way, Ryan Holiday describes how great leaders throughout history have drawn on the philosopy of the Stoics (e.g. Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus) to make the best of situations that others would describe as "bad." Holiday organizes the concepts into three steps: 1) Change Your Perception; 2) Take Action; and 3) Discipline Your Will." This book is concise, readable, and actionable. Read More..
Resilience at Work: How to Succeed No Matter What Life Throws at You
The authors of Resilience at Work are psychologists who conducted decades of research on the importance of resilience and how to develop it. They found that three key factors--commitment, control, and challenge--are critical to developing "hardiness," the foundation of resilience. In the organizations they studied they found that only about one third of the employees and managers demonstrated hardiness--and those same hardy types also happened to be the most successful employees and most effective leaders. The last six chapters are pure gold; they are full of case studies and simple exercises that can help anyone learn the thought processes and behaviors that foster resilience. Read More...
Leadership and the Art of Struggle
We all experience failures, hardships, and other setbacks during our careers. Such events are key turning points, and how we respond can determine whether we derail or grow and flourish as leaders. Steven Snyder's terrific book Leadership and the Art of Struggle describes the most common kinds of struggle and provides examples of leaders who came through the experience stronger. Includes several reflective exercises that can help you remain grounded and make adjustments as required. Read More...
Building Resiliency: How to Thrive in Times of Change
Authors Pulley and Wakefield define resliliency as "the ability to recover quickly from change, hardship, or misfortune." They focus on nine areas where leaders can become more resilient by changing the way they think and act (e.g. through continuous learning, self-empowerment, sense of purpose, and reflection). Provides helpful suggestions for strengthening all nine areas and also includes a Resiliency Worksheet to assess your degree of resiliency. This book is short but powerful. Read More...