Resilience

Resilience

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Why is resilience important in the workplace?

Having a resilient workforce benefits your business in so many ways, not least by making people more motivated, capable of dealing with change, and less susceptible to burnout. Therefore, employers are keen to find resilient people to become part of the team. An ability to be resilient also improves employees’ overall health - it’s no coincidence that resilience and wellbeing in the workplace are closely linked. Better mental health means fewer distractions, personal problems, and inevitably time off, which then, in turn, improves performance throughout the workplace. Resilience in the workplace promotes the following:

The six domains of resilience

These are the six areas that formulate resilience.

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Problem-solving

Problem solving is the process of finding effective solutions to challenging issues. People are able to resolve issues by first identifying the problem and determining the causes. What do you do when you come up against problems? In this section, we’ll give you some advice on how to find solutions to those problems.

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Mastering problem-solving skills enhances independence, confidence, and productivity.It grants control over one's environment and fosters qualities like creativity, logic, imagination, and resilience. Effective problem solvers are highly valued in the workplace, showcasing determination and independent thinking.

There are four types of problems we encounter in our careers, each requiring a unique approach:

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Common problems in the workplace

We’ve already identified a general guide to solving problems in the workplace, but there are some more specific challenges relating to employment and wellbeing which can cause tension and stress. Let’s hope you don’t have to encounter these problems too often!

Meeting Deadlines - There are times when you will have to complete a task or project by a set date. It's important to give yourself enough time to complete the work. Breaking each job down into smaller, more manageable parts can make everything seem less daunting. Keep your colleagues updated on your progress, and feel free to ask them for help and advice. Together you can achieve the best results.

Why is problem-solving so important? Problem-solving is a vitally important skill for all people, and there are four reasons why:

• Fix What is Broken - Problem-solving gives us a chance to identify the problems within difficult relationships, processes and behaviour patterns, empowering us to replace and repair them.
• Address Risk - By becoming more aware of faulty processes and relationships, we’re more able to anticipate future risks and stop problems happening before they arise.
• Improve Performance - By continuously looking for ways to improve our job skills, both individuals and organisations can become more efficient and productive.
• Seize Opportunity - By determining which actions lead to positive outcomes, we’ll be able to achieve new things more often.

Vision

• Purpose, goals and congruence

Reasoning

• Problem solving
• Resourcefulness
• Anticipate and plan

Collaboration

• Support networks
• Social context
• Manage perceptions

Personality Clashes - In life, you won’t see eye-to-eye with everyone. Over the course of your career, you may have to work with a couple of people you don’t like. It's important to always behave professionally. This means focusing on the job at hand and defusing any arguments or disagreements, as well as explaining your point of view in a calm way.

Here are 9 benefits that resilience brings to the workplace:

• Better handling of challenges
• Improved communication
• Reduced burnout and presenteeism (staying at work longer than you should because you are insecure in your job)
• Creating a competitive business
• Setting realistic expectations
• Better relationships amongst colleagues
• Openness to up-skilling and developing
• Improved organisation and time management
• Willingness to give and receive support

Health

• Nutrition, sleep and exercise

Work Overload - Sometimes the intensity and volume of your work can cause you to panic and fear the worst. Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. Communication is key. Keep your colleagues and senior staff members updated on your progress, and if you don’t think you can get the job done, try to tell them with plenty of time to spare.

Tenacity

• Persistence
• Realistic optimism
• Bounce back

Composure

• Regulate emotions
• Interpretation bias
• Calm and in control

Problem-solving in the workplace

• Identify the issue - if you can see that there’s a problem brewing, it’s important to identify what has caused it before addressing it, otherwise you may get the wrong end of the stick or cause offence.
• Understand everyone's interests - we are all inclined to see just one side of the story, especially if we are frustrated or angry. Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes; that will give you a much better understanding of the problem, and help you to control your emotions.
• List and evaluate the solutions - come up with a short list of possible ways to resolve the problem, assessing the value of each one by thinking about the effects each decision might have on yourself and others.
• Select a solution - choose the option which you anticipate will have the most positive impact on yourself, others and your work together.
• Monitor the results - in the weeks and months following your decision, observe the effect your decision has had on your team. Consider making further adjustments if you are not happy with the results.

There are four types of problems we encounter in our careers, each requiring a unique approach:

• Simple problems: Solutions are well-established, with clear cause and effect.
• Complicated problems: Some factors are unknown, but with expertise, cause and effect can be identified.
• Complex problems: Outcomes are understood only through action and observation, with multiple unknown factors.
• Chaotic problems: Crisis moments requiring swift action to prevent worsening effects. While we hope to avoid stressful situations, life's unpredictability means we must be prepared for anything.