Resiliency: 8 Secrets to Building Your Resilience Skills for the Future of Work

Resilience skills are needed now more than ever with the multifaceted global challenges and changes occurring in today’s fast-paced world. With high levels of emotional and professional resilience, you will be able to face stressful situations both at work and in life. This skill has been shown to positively influence work engagement and satisfaction and affect your overall well-being. However, reports indicate that over 20 percent of employees ( https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-101/ ) view their jobs as the major stressor in their lives. This is not good as stress can lead to burnout, depression, anxiety, and other sicknesses. With the continuous changes occurring in modern work culture, building resilience skills to navigate your work environment successfully is beneficial.

Having resilience does not mean that you will never fail; it just means that you'll learn from your failures and mistakes and thrive as a result of it. The difference between successful and unsuccessful people is their ability to bounce back from failures and setbacks, as proven by renowned successful people like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Thomas Edison, and Nikola Tesla. Multiple research has shown that anyone can develop their resilience by social support, behaviors, and attitudes, and changing the way you manage your emotions is a major step to building your resilience skills. Also, you need to understand and control the factors that cause you to stress at work because developing your resilience skills for the modern work environment does not occur in isolation. This article will discuss the importance of resilience for the future of work and how you can develop them in the face of increasing change and complexity. So, let’s get right to it, shall we?

What is Resilience?
In a nutshell, resilience is defined as a person's ability to adapt to stressful situations and bounce back from difficult situations. Of course, this capability is more innate in some people than others, but everyone can strengthen their resilience with practice. Besides, resilient people do not allow stressful situations to affect their internal motivation, and they live with a combination of heightened cognition, self-belief, and self-compassion.

Emotion management, perspective maintenance, optimism, and learning from experiences are all associated with resilience, and this skill is essential as you deal with increasing changes and uncertainties. Resilience is also heavily enabled by solid networks and relationships as your interactions with people in your personal and professional lives can help you modify the intensity of the challenge or stress you face in the workplace or life in general.

Elements of Resilience
The elements of resilience are the pillars on which you can develop and improve your resilience skills. According to Susan Kobasa, a renowned psychologist, there are three major elements of resilience based on our ability to adapt and bounce back from difficult situations:

• Challenge
Resilient people see adversity and difficulty as a challenge rather than a crippling incident or a lasting reflection of their self-confidence. They usually view failures and mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.

• Commitment
Resilient people have personal and professional goals that they are extremely committed to, and they take complete ownership over development, execution, and course improvement.

• Personal Control
People with a resilient mindset focus on events and situations within their control. Rather than worrying about uncontrollable situations, they put their emotion and effort where they have the most effect.
Martin Seligman, another influential psychologist, defined three significant elements of resilience based on how we explain setbacks to ourselves:

• Permanence
Resilient people see the effects of bad situations as temporary instead of permanent. This way, they tend to live more positive lives.

• Pervasiveness
Resilient people know how to categorize their feelings, and they do not allow setbacks to affect other unrelated parts of their lives.

• Personalization
People with resilience do not personalize and blame themselves when difficulties happen. Instead, they can objectively pick out the cause of the setback.
Characteristics Associated with Resilience
There are different characteristic skills that aid in developing and improving resilience in people. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the characteristics associated with resilient people.

• Self-awareness
Self-awareness is the ability to understand and manage your feelings and emotions, and this skill will enable you to understand how your emotions contribute to your actions. Besides, a self-aware person will not blame others for their misfortune; instead, they will search for answers within themselves – an essential resilience skill. This characteristic is fundamental as it helps develop resilience.

• Flexible Thinking
To be successful in both your personal and professional life, you need to be flexible in your thinking. This characteristic is associated with resilience because it combines optimism, positive thinking, and adaptability. Plus, an adaptable person will be more resilient and balanced in both work and life.

• Optimism
Optimistic people tend to be more resilient than others, and they have the mental fortitude to remain positive even in the face of big obstacles. An optimistic person will not let a bad situation bring them down; rather, they will try to find solutions to their problems – a trait associated with resilient people.

• Emotional Control
Emotional control is needed in every aspect of life, and this skill will enable you to influence and redirect your emotions when needed. This way, you are less likely to be affected or overwhelmed by stress. An emotionally controlled person is in complete control of their feelings, and they will not make any impulsive decisions due to stress or other bad situations.

• Persistence
Persistence and resilience are closely related, and a resilient person is a persistent one as they would not allow mistakes or failures to keep them down. Therefore, developing your resilience skills will also involve improving your commitment and consistency because a resilient person keeps going even in the face of conflicts and stressors. Plus, building your persistence levels will aid you in both your personal and professional life.

• Purpose
People with purpose are more likely to recover from stressful situations and disappointments, and this is because they are committed to their goals. A resilient person would not think twice about leaving their comfort zone because they are easily adaptable and take every situation as a challenge. This attitude is what makes them successful in all parts of their lives.

• Values
When you have a robust set of values and morals, you would not have difficulty bouncing back from challenging situations. Resilient people also have a good sense of humor, and they can diffuse stressful situations with humor. Besides, resilient people make good workers because they are always willing to help others – a critical skill associated with solid values.

• Interpersonal Relationships
Studies have shown that having good interpersonal relationships with people in your life can develop and improve your resilience skills. A developed network of connections can help you manage stress, remind you of the purpose in your work, and provide empathic support when needed. This is why it is crucial to cultivate and maintain authentic relationships in all parts of your life. Besides, your social support networks are directly related to how resilient you are.

There are different relational sources of resilience, and they are not equally important to everyone. This is because people have different needs. So, let's take a look at some of the major relational foundations of resilience, shall we?
• Politics- relationships that help you make sense of the philosophies in any situation.
• Empathy – relationships that provide unreserved support needed to diffuse negative situations.
• Purpose – relationships that remind you of the purpose in your work.
• Vision – relationships that help you see the idea in front of you.
• Perspective – relationships that keep you grounded and help you maintain a standpoint in the face of obstacles.
• Humor – relationships that use humor to diffuse stressful situations.
Importance of Resilience for the Future of Work

Resilience can positively impact the overall productivity of employees and improve their quality of life, and they are less susceptible to burnout. This is because resilience is closely related to employee well-being, enabling an optimistic approach to work and life in general. So, resilient workers will never dwell on mistakes or failures; rather, they learn and move forward with a positive mindset.

A study revealed that over 50% of employers ( https://www.onrec.com/news/statistics-and-trends/employers-favour-workers-that-are-adaptable-resilient-and-willing-to ) view resilience as a major skill for candidates, while over 70% view adaptability, a core characteristic of resilience, as a critical skill – proving that companies place a high value on resilient workers. So, let's take a look at some of the reasons why resilience is vital for the future of work.

• Employee Well-being
The major source of stress for most employees is their job, and stress is evidently bad for productivity and company growth. Therefore, individual resilience is important because it enables workers to change their attitude towards stress and not allow it to affect their development and productivity in the workplace. In addition, resilience ensures that employees remain engaged and healthy, both physically and emotionally, as it helps reduce burnout and lack of focus at work.

• Improved Employee Adaptability
Change and challenges are constant in the modern work environment, and knowing how to navigate them in any given circumstance is important for the organization's success. Resilience ensures that workers are flexible thinkers and they can handle different types of trials. Plus, resilient workers will not allow bad situations to affect their emotions and cloud their judgment, and they are always ready to find solutions to any problem that arises.

• Better Communication
Resilient workers will always know how to express themselves, as resilience comes hand in hand with self-awareness and confidence. This skill is important for the future of work because companies need employees that can actively participate in their growth. Besides, a resilient employee is not opposed to constructive feedback as they are always willing to learn from their failures and mistakes.

Resilience also ensures that workers set realistic expectations of themselves and others. This is because this skill comes with self-awareness, enabling them to understand and manage their own and other people's feelings. So, a resilient employee will be able to work more cordially and proficiently with others as a result.

• Improved Organizational Competitiveness
Organizations need to innovate constantly to survive in today's business market, and with the future of work, companies need employees that will continuously be willing to develop and maintain their capabilities. Workers with resilience are committed and motivated to be successful regardless of any obstacles – a major skill needed, especially with the steepness of the learning curve in the workplace. Also, resilient workers are most likely to hold down the fort when difficult times occur – improving the company's longevity.

• Enhanced collaboration and teamwork
A major aspect of resilience is developing strong interpersonal relationships with others, which improves collaboration and teamwork in the workplace. In addition, resilience enables workers to change their thinking patterns and interpretations of situations, reducing negative emotions and friction between team members and improving the workers' dynamics in general.

• Skill and Career Development
Resilience enhances the growth mindset in employees, enabling them to develop themselves actively. Companies with employees that are self-motivated to improve themselves will inevitably grow and be successful. Plus, resilient workers who build their skills will cope with adverse work situations with ease.

• Enhanced time management and organization skills
Resilient workers will be able to manage their workload and organize their colleagues effectively. Moreover, this skill fosters a committed mindset that enables them to focus on their coals and plan accordingly. Besides, all organizations will benefit when their workers are organized and committed to their vision and goal.

• Open to Feedback
Resilient workers are always open to receiving and giving feedback, and they are not opposed to providing support to others when needed. This skill fosters a growth mindset that is beneficial in any workplace. Also, workers with resilience see the value of lending a helping hand to others, which is a valuable skill needed to foster growth and productivity.

Secrets to Develop Your Resilience Skills for the Future of Work

1. Learn to Take Breaks and Relax
As stated easier, work is a major source of stress for many workers, and taking the time to distress and recharge will go a long way in building your resilience skills. In addition, you will be able to deal with any challenges and obstacles you come across when you take care of both your mind and body. Yes, constant detachment breaks at work go a long way to improve creativity, mental clarity, energy, and resilience throughout the workday, but you also need to recharge and recover fully.
Overcompensating at work and reducing your relaxation time will not only affect your productivity at work but will also affect your health in the long run. There are different forms of recovery, from investing in your physical and emotional well-being to utilizing different relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga. Outlined below are a few tips to help you relax and recover better:
• Ensure you get enough sleep.
• Begin your day with physical activities that will elevate your moods, like exercise and yoga.
• Take constant detachment breaks during the workday.
• Develop hobbies outside of work.
• Take your annual leave.
• Take time off from all mobile and computer devices.

2. Practice Positivity
It is very easy to be fixated and consumed by negative emotions, especially during dire situations, but this outlook does more harm than good, and it doesn't help anybody. Maintaining a positive view even in the face of difficult situations is an integral part of resiliency. Having a positive outlook does not mean focusing entirely on positive outcomes while ignoring the issue at hand. It means that you understand that obstacles and setbacks are only temporary, and you can face any challenge head-on. Plus, a worker with a positive approach to work and life will be committed to fixing workplace problems and growing the company.

3. Practice Cognitive Restructuring
The way you talk to yourself matters a lot, and what you tell yourself affects everything from your thoughts to your interactions with others. You need to edit your outlook in life to develop your resilience skills. For example, if you are constantly telling yourself that tasks are too difficult or doubting your skills, this will affect how you react to negative situations. Practice changing the way you think and talk to yourself, and instead of thinking you can't, ask yourself why can't you. Also, editing some words or phrases in your vocabulary will go a long way.

4. Learn from your mistakes
Failures and mistakes are inevitable in life, and the only thing you have control of is how to deal with them. Learning from your mistakes and failures is a major way to build your resilience as you thrive as a result of it. This way, you know what not to do, which takes you one step closer to success. Additionally, you can use your failures as an opportunity to reassess your life and make progressive changes.

5. Sustain Perspective
Resilient people know how to keep things in perspective, and they do not blow bad situations out of proportion. To build your resilience, you need to understand that even though bad situations can get overwhelming, they are not permanent, and they do not have any long-term impact. Besides, you must maintain a positive attitude as keeping things in perspective enables you to focus and learn from the experience and develop your resilience skills.

6. Develop and Maintain Strong Relationships
It is important that you develop and maintain good relationships in every aspect of your life, from personal to professional settings. One of the reasons why resilient people are unaffected by stress and committed in their role is their strong relationships with their coworkers-- they can cope with work stress because they have a strong support network to help them. Your social network will help you in bad situations, and they will provide you with support, feedback, solutions to your problems when you need them. Also, having a strong relationship with your colleagues at work will enable you to communicate freely and help your colleagues in times of crisis.

7. Develop a Flexible Mindset
Flexibility and resilience go hand in hand as a resilient individual is an adaptable one. Resilient people understand that change is constant, so they do not allow change or complexities to affect them adversely. Therefore, to build your resilience, you need to develop flexible thinking and adaptability. Plus, an adaptable worker is an asset in any organization, especially with the constant changes occurring in the modern work environment.

8. Develop Compassion
Self-compassion and compassion for others are often disregarded, but it is an important aspect of resilience. Compassion improves your positive mindset and encourages the development of interpersonal relationships—which in turn increase teamwork and collaboration. A resilient person is a compassionate one as they take the emotions and feelings of others into consideration before taking any action. Besides, having a compassionate work culture is important as workers' stress levels will reduce, and productivity will also be fostered.

To Wrap It Up
Building resilience, especially at work, is vital in today's world, especially with the constant complexities and changes occurring in the modern work environment. For example, the global pandemic has resulted in the increased adoption of remote work, which a lot of workers enjoy, but you have companies who want them to return to the office. Change is constant in today’s working world. Only resilient workers will be able to survive the work changes that will occur in the future. Organizational resilience is also essential, especially for organizations that want to survive the constant evolution and changes of the business world.
Outlined below are a few ways to develop the resilience of your organization for the future of work:

• Develop a positive work environment
• Give workers autonomy and flexibility
• Invest in the well-being of your employees
• Seek feedback from workers
• Communicate regularly

Even though some people are more resilient than others, this skill, just like others, can be developed with time and effort. Resilience enables both workers and organizations to deal with and adapt to obstacles and stressful situations, and it is an important skill to have for the future of work.

Media Contact
Name: Robert Moment
Email: Robert@HighEmotionalIntelligence.com
Website: www.HighEmotionalIntelligence.com
Location: Arlington
State: Virginia

About the Author
Robert Moment is a dynamic results-driven ICF Certified Social + Emotional Intelligence Coach and Trainer, ICF Certified Executive and Peak Performance Coach and author of High Emotional Intelligence for Managers and Executive Success Habits.
Robert specializes in solving workplace communication, management, executive and employee problems utilizing effective coaching and training solutions with guaranteed profitable results and sustainable peak performance.
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