The ‘resilience’ mindset (or lack thereof)

And in this state, you face a new reality: will we actually get through this in one piece?

This is where resilience kicks in. Though, my take on resilience isn’t about ‘bouncing back,’ or being stoical. It’s about the dynamic process encompassing positive adaptation in ‘significant’ adversity (noting that ‘significant’ is personal, not necessarily universal). Or, as the Stockholm Resilience Centre eloquently states, “Resilience is the capacity of a system, be it an individual, a forest, a city or an economy, to deal with change and continue to develop. It is about how humans and nature can use shocks and disturbances like a financial crisis or climate change to spur renewal and innovative thinking.”

So, what does the treacherous ice-ridden mountain of death look like?

1. Vision
2. Perspective
3. Control
4. Adaptability
5. Belief

Or not.

There are two polar responses to the unnatural shock to the system:

1. We can’t do this. We’re going to die. Get help. We’re never going to do this again. Why are we doing this!!??? This is because of you. Get help. NOW!!! HELP US!!!*

*Yet despite the ‘white mirage’ Kristoff doesn’t suddenly appear from the ice.

1. We’ve got this. We don’t know how, yet: but we’re going to figure it out.*

*Somehow (in fine print: not sure how, but we will because there’s no other option (than perhaps death, but we’re not going there?)

Our industry has been hit between the eyes by nauseatingly never-ending environmental, political and macro-economic challenges. As in actually never-ending. This affects us personally and professionally. Which is why I firmly feel that the ‘I can navigate the ice-ridden mountain of death’ version of resilience is the key to navigating our course. As such, whilst in sub-degree temperatures I found myself pondering the pathway to ‘business enlightenment’ (until I felt frostbite starting and had to move) – which turns out is step one: embrace the uncomfortable.

Here are some areas of consideration ‘inspired’ by the snow (which seem to naturally translate to business – particularly now):

1. VISION: Assess the lay of the land. What does the current landscape look like, and can we see the ‘forest for the trees?’ Spoiler alert: if we remain in the forest, there’s only the blizzard. Though if we look into the horizon, we see not only the various pathways, but the much greater opportunity that is epic.
2. PERSPECTIVE: Tune in. A core component of problem-solving is adapting one’s perspective to reflect ‘actual’ versus ‘perception.’ I strongly believe that true resilience is only achievable if we see, hear, and, most importantly ‘read of the room’ as there’s no point continuing to tell the same story long after your audience has left – no matter how long it’s worked for.
3. CONTROL: Quickly determine what is, and is not, in your control (and avoid the ‘blame game’). The most efficient way to demonstrate agility is to focus on what is in your control and be positive and proactive in doing so. Conversely, the ‘they, them or other’ that have spearheaded the change is immaterial. Similarly, the ‘blame game’ is redundant. There’s no place for the ‘Disney rose-coloured lens’ in a time that’s clearly tangled in thorns. You’re far better off calling out the challenges and working with or around them, than debating or ignoring their clear existence.
4. ADAPTABILITY: What’s next? The only question to ask yourself is: how can I use the current/ emerging situation to my/ my client’s advantage? Question what needs to be done differently. Think it through thoroughly, though don’t procrastinate. This is the upside of disruption: those who embrace it and provide sound solutions immediately have the edge. Also, despite being a Germanic Virgo, I constantly remind myself that ‘perfect is the enemy of done’ (yet provides the ‘perfect’ excuse for fence-sitting or procrastination). Bake your value proposition and your offering, but be bold with your delivery. Again, at a time of uncertainty, people are naturally drawn to leaders (keeping in mind you don’t need to have the answer for everything, though you do need to be an expert in your domain).
5. BELIEF: Where nothing is impossible. I’ve been running my firm for 11 years now. And having curveballs thrown at me on a continuous basis is par for the course. Despite the initial blow, I honestly believe that my passion, aptitude and skill will conquer everything. Unequivocal self-belief is a mandate. And I’ll reassess its ‘authenticity’ after the fact. On this note, the wisest choices are usually correlated from failure and the corresponding insights.

To enhance your resilience, I strongly encourage you to embrace being uncomfortable: in the elements, at work and personally.

Especially when confronted by the elements, it’s a very quick reminder that one’s perspective of ‘life and death’ in the office is very different to that on the ‘ice-ridden mountain of death’ (and that the gratitude over a Mulled wine (or eight) at an open fireplace after the encounter, with no medics required, is like sipping the Elixir of Life).