Developing Resilience

Resilience isn’t something you’re born with.  It’s something you build, slowly, messily, and sometimes painfully, through real challenges and mistakes. Here are 5 ways I’ve learned to strengthen resilience as a leader: 1. Sit in the uncomfortable  The hard stuff isn’t going away. Difficult conversations, messy decisions, uncertainty; they’re where growth happens.   Lean in, even when it’s uncomfortable. 2. Pause before reacting  When things go wrong, take a breath. Step back, figure out what happened, and decide your next move. Jumping straight to action usually makes it worse. 3. Surround yourself with people who get it  You can’t do it alone.   Mentors, peers, and your team help you see things clearly, push you when needed, and remind you you’re not failing, you’re learning. 4. Focus on what you can actually influence  Stop wasting energy on things you can’t control. Put your effort where it matters: your decisions, your actions, your mindset.   Everything else will sort itself out. 5. Keep learning, constantly  Things change fast: teams, markets, technology. The more you keep learning, the more flexible and confident you become when things don’t go as planned. Resilience isn’t about being unshakable.  It’s about getting up after failure, adjusting, and moving forward without losing your purpose or values. The leaders I admire most aren’t those who avoid failure. They’re the ones who embrace it, learn from it, and come back stronger. ❓ What’s one thing you’ve done recently that pushed your resilience? Drop in the comments below. ⬇️ 

Change can hit like a storm, overwhelming us in its wake. Whether it's adjusting to a new role, navigating tech shifts, or facing global upheaval, the pressure can feel relentless. The emotional journey of change mirrors the stages of grief, as defined by the Kubler-Ross model. Change often feels like a loss—of stability, predictability, or even identity. When change hits unexpectedly, disbelief is a common reaction. Resilience in this moment means grounding yourself, pausing, and absorbing the reality. As reality sets in, frustration and sadness are common emotions. Resilience means allowing yourself to feel without getting stuck. Once emotions settle, curiosity begins to emerge. Resilience is about shifting from “Why me?” to “What can I learn?” As new routines form, resilience helps you reflect on your growth. Celebrating progress reinforces your ability to handle future challenges. Resilience is key to managing stress, adapting to change, and sustaining performance. It’s about moving through discomfort and emerging stronger. Leaders can model resilience by being transparent and offering support. This creates an environment where resilience can thrive. In the end, resilience isn’t about avoiding setbacks. It’s about bouncing back from them. With each challenge, we not only survive—we grow.

This is your greatest strength during a crisis: 10 years ago, I watched my biggest client project collapse overnight. Budget cuts, leadership changes, nine months of work down the drain. My first instinct was to shift the blame. Then I remembered something a mentor told me: "Resilience isn't about avoiding the storm. It's about learning to dance in the rain." I realized I'd been thinking about leadership resilience all wrong. Resilience isn't a personality trait you're born with. It's a skill set you develop through intentional practice. I identified seven core capacities that separate those who thrive from those who just survive: ✅ Emotional Regulation: I learned to recognize my stress signals and use breathing techniques before reacting. ✅ Perspective Taking: Instead of asking "Who's to blame?" I started asking "What can this teach us?" ✅ Adaptive Capacity: I built contingency plans and learned to experiment with small tests before making big changes. ✅ Social Capital: I invested in relationships before I needed them ✅ Energy Management: I protected recovery time as non-negotiable and identified my peak performance windows. ✅ Meaning Making: I regularly revisited my "why" for leadership And helped my team see beyond immediate difficulties. ✅ Systems Thinking: I learned to map cause-and-effect relationships and think in feedback loops, not just linear responses. The transformation was remarkable. What felt like a career-ending crisis became a catalyst for growth. Now when challenges hit, I have a playbook instead of panic. You can also build your playbook for free: read.drdegnan.com

The Power of Resilience. Resilience is the remarkable capability to confront and bounce back from adversities. When faced with challenging circumstances, individuals with a resilient mindset withstand adverse scenarios, transforming setbacks into opportunities for growth and personal development. Resilience also involves having a deep understanding of one's own strengths and weaknesses.   By recognising their abilities and limitations, resilient individuals make informed decisions and take appropriate actions to navigate through difficult situations.   They are not afraid to seek support, as they understand that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather strength and self-awareness.   Furthermore, resilience is closely tied to having a growth mindset.   This mindset acknowledges that intelligence, skills, and abilities can be developed through effort, practice, and learning.   How to build resilience? Here are a few pointers ↓ ⇢ Learn to problem solve effectively ⇢ Pay attention to your  feelings ⇢ Challenge negative thoughts ⇢ Set goals you can achieve ⇢ Build positive relationship ⇢ Work on your strengths ⇢ Don’t be afraid to fail ⇢ Learn from mistakes ⇢ Look after yourself ⇢ Forgive yourself ⇢ Never give up ⇢ Be optimistic   In my journey, I've faced failures that ripped apart my life. I've lost businesses, jobs, and even my mother, but I always rise again. What drives me is the resilience and determination to never give up. → Your turn now, share how life has taught you to become resilient? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm Muhammad, a former medical Doctor turned entrepreneur. I am passionate about fostering a culture of compassion, inclusivity & diversity.   Join me for more exciting content and don't forget to hit the 🔔 notification to stay updated with my latest posts.

Stress resilience hinges on our responses. I recall a time in sales when a client was furious over an issue unrelated to us. I faced a choice: defend our position or listen empathetically. Rather than reacting defensively, I paused to center myself. This simple technique helped me stay calm and attentive, allowing me to acknowledge their feelings without escalating the situation. Mindfulness and breathwork are essential for managing stress. They enable us to remain present and respond thoughtfully instead of impulsively. To build resilience: - Recognize your triggers - Use breathwork to cultivate calm and clarity Ultimately, resilience is how we engage. Acknowledging the situation, having a listening ear and smiling can transform tension into opportunity. #Resilience #Mindfulness #Breathwork #Empathy #Compassion

Recently, I’ve noticed a surge of discussions among business leaders and others on social media about #resilience being our most important personal trait. I wholeheartedly agree and have been actively seeking ways to cultivate this quality within myself. However, I’ve realized that simply trying harder or powering through challenges isn’t enough to truly build resilience. Resilience is a powerful, transformative force, both in personal development and in navigating the complexities of the financial markets. It’s not merely about recovery; it’s about profoundly thriving in the face of adversity. This dynamic capability enables us to not just survive challenges, but to emerge stronger and more adept from them. I think of faith as a deep-seated trust in our own potential and the unfolding of our future—a universal concept that transcends specific religious doctrines. It's the steadfast belief that propels us toward our goals, helping us transform aspirations into achievements and providing strength during challenging times. Faith is about maintaining confidence in the midst of life’s storms, trusting in our journey, even when the destination isn’t clear. In the realm of financial markets, resilience is equally crucial. Financial systems must be robust enough to withstand economic shocks and flexible enough to adapt to new technologies and changing geopolitical landscapes. This is analogous to personal resilience, where the goal is not only to handle crises but to use them as stepping stones to greater capability and understanding. Why focus on resilience? Research consistently shows that resilience is perhaps the most critical attribute we can foster. It allows individuals to navigate life’s ups and downs with grace, and it ensures that financial infrastructures remain secure and efficient in uncertain times. Those who embody resilience don’t just make it through; they grow and thrive as a result of their experiences. Looking forward, whether we’re discussing personal growth or professional stability, the emphasis should be on cultivating resilience. It’s a skill that can be developed, a muscle that can be strengthened. In our workplaces, we should champion resilience not just to safeguard against future crises but to empower our teams to face challenges with courage and adaptability. To foster this indispensable personal quality, consider starting with a better understanding of your emotional responses through self-awareness activities like journaling or meditation. Strengthen relationships for emotional support and develop a positive, flexible mindset to adapt to change. Set achievable goals to build confidence and purpose. These steps help in fostering resilience by enhancing emotional understanding, supportive connections, and adaptive skills.

If your team is exhausted, it’s not growth. it’s bad leadership. Pushing harder is not a culture strategy. It’s emotional negligence. Resilience isn't built by pushing your team harder. It’s something you cultivate - not coerce. If you're a CEO or founder, chances are you want a team that adapts quickly, learns rapidly, and stays energised under pressure. But maybe you've noticed that instead of resilience, your team just seems... tired. Frustrated. Burnt out. You're not alone. One founder I coached recently faced this exact dilemma. They wanted to lead a resilient organisation, but their team was caught in a cycle of fatigue from unrelenting change. The intention was growth. The result? Overwhelm. That disconnect is more common than many leaders realize. Resilience doesn’t grow in pressure - it grows in trust, clarity, and support. Here’s how we shifted their culture - without pushing people past their limits: ✅ Clarify the “why” behind every change ❌ Don’t expect buy-in without context. ✅ Offer resources for upskilling ❌ Don’t assume adaptation will happen spontaneously. ✅ Create open dialogue around challenges ❌ Don’t dismiss concerns as resistance. ✅ Build a safe-to-fail environment ❌ Don’t punish mistakes that enable learning. ✅ Reinforce a shared vision - especially when things get hard ❌ Don’t let uncertainty dilute your leadership. ✅ Earn trust with consistency ❌ Don’t make promises you can’t fulfil. As you reflect on these principles, you might notice something shift. Perhaps you've already experienced how culture impacts energy and innovation. And maybe, you're beginning to see how building true resilience is about alignment, not acceleration. Picture your team six months from now: Communicating openly. Adapting confidently. Trusting deeply. Imagine how much farther you could go - not from pushing harder, but from working smarter... together. You already know pressure alone won’t build the future you want. But with clarity, consistency, and trust - you can build a team that bends without breaking.

The 4 things I wish I had known about building resilience: (I only JUST started growing this skill - here's how) Intellectually, I knew resilience was the ability to recover quickly from difficulties and setbacks. But for most of my life, I never had to PRACTICE resilience. Until recently. Now, I know that resilience is more than just bouncing back. Here are the key elements of resilience I wish I had known earlier. Master these, and you are 50% ahead of the rest: 1. Adaptability ↳ Adjusting to new challenges with ease. Tip: Regularly step out of your comfort zone. Start small, then move to bigger things. (Have trouble giving people eye contact? Start with one look at the person at your local coffee shop.) 2. Persistence ↳ Moving forward despite obstacles. Tip: Develop habits that encourage you to stay consistent with your goals. (My favorite habit is time-blocking my calendar.) 3. Emotional Strength ↳ Managing stress and reframing negative thoughts with more positive ones. Tip: Regularly reflect on your emotions and understand their triggers. This awareness helps you manage reactions effectively. (This changed my life.) 4. Problem-Solving ↳ Finding effective solutions, not being overwhelmed. Tip: Come up with four solutions, and then take one small action towards one. (Just one.) Resilience allows you to turn setbacks into growth opportunities. It is a crucial skill in this ever-evolving world. Are you ready to own it? How do you cultivate resilience in your life? Let me know in the comments! __ 👋 Hi, I'm Sheena Hakimian! I went from feeling stuck to becoming fearless by investing in my personal growth. 1-1 coaching is great, but it can be costly. I've made coaching easy for you! Sign up for my free personal coaching style newsletter, delivered every other Monday, and get: → 1 thing to think about → 1 question to ask yourself → 1 action to take that week You can sign up at the link under my name. #resilience #confidence #personaldevelopment #careergrowth #mindset

I had an incredible experience speaking with the students at Alvin Community College about the power of self-leadership and resilience! The conversations were deeply meaningful, reflecting their rich career and life experiences, family responsibilities, and unwavering dedication to personal and professional growth. Here are three key lessons we explored about building resilience: 1. Reframe Your Mindset: When challenges arise, shift your thinking by asking, “How can I?” or “What is my next best move?” This mindset encourages proactive solution-finding instead of being stuck on the problem. 2. Stay Flexible: Remember that while you may not always control outcomes, multiple paths are usually available. Staying adaptable helps you navigate unexpected challenges more effectively. 3. Seek Support: Resilience does not mean tackling everything alone. Lean on your community, mentors, peers, or family. There's strength in having support. A special thank you to Michael E. Fernandez, Ph.D., for inviting me and allowing me to engage with such an inspiring group. Brandee J. Fernandez MBA CPIM, C.P.M., your presence and support meant the world to me. I understand the complexities of balancing roles as a parent, spouse, student, and professional. I hope that the tools shared during our time together empower attendees to manage stress and challenges effectively, enabling them to be present and at their best in every role they hold.

How do you build resilience in your professional life, especially during challenging times? Job seeking and career transitions – especially right now – can be downright brutal. It's like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded and wearing earmuffs, stumbling through dead ends and unexpected twists. My community is full of job seekers and professionals grappling with these challenges (including me!). But here's the kicker: setbacks aren't dead ends; they're opportunities waiting to be seized. Today, I want to share three essential strategies that can empower you to conquer the challenges and emerge even stronger. These aren’t new, but we can all use reminders now and again. 🎯 Embrace a Growth Mindset: Instead of seeing setbacks as roadblocks, view them as opportunities for growth and learning. Remember, every challenge is a chance to develop new skills, gain valuable experience, and ultimately become a better version of yourself. 🎯Cultivate a Strong Support Network: Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who lift you up during tough times. Whether it's friends, family, mentors, or colleagues, having a solid support system can provide encouragement, perspective, and valuable advice when you need it most. 🎯Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone: Failure is not the opposite of success; it's a part of the journey. Instead of fearing failure, embrace it as a natural and necessary step on the path to achievement. Learn from your mistakes, adjust your approach, and keep moving forward with renewed determination. How do you cultivate resilience in your professional life? Share your tips, stories, and insights in the comments below.  #Resilience #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerAdvice #leadershipinsights #jobseeking