What Is A Characteristic Of Resilient Leaders?

Unveiling the Characteristics of Resilient Leaders: The Calm in the Middle of a Storm

Ever experienced a Monday morning with lukewarm coffee and an inbox resembling a chaotic battlefield?

Picture this: your boss drops a surprise project on your desk with a Friday deadline. Cue the collective groan.

What sets resilient leaders apart in this chaos?

It's not about avoiding storms but learning to dance in the rain.

Resilience, the unsung hero of leadership, is the secret sauce that keeps leaders standing tall, no matter what life hurls their way.

Meet Sarah, steering her team through a major project.

Smooth sailing until a global crisis hits, turning their plans into a jigsaw puzzle missing crucial pieces.

Instead of panicking, Sarah gathers her team and, with humour and optimism, reframes the situation.

Acknowledging the challenges, she focuses on the collective strength and adaptability of the team.

Long story short, they not only weather the storm but emerge stronger and more connected than ever.

Now, let's explore the characteristics that make resilient leaders stand out:

Embrace the Chaos: Resilient leaders don't shy away from chaos; they waltz with it. It's like being the lead dancer in a wild tango – unpredictable, exhilarating, and a tad bit challenging. Acknowledge setbacks as part of the journey. When the unexpected happens, take a deep breath, put on your dancing shoes, and lead your team through the storm.
Connect with Your Tribe: Leadership can be a lonely road, but resilient leaders know they don't have to navigate it alone. Your team is your tribe, your support system. Sarah, in our anecdote, didn't isolate herself when challenges arose; instead, she brought her team together. Sharing the burden, celebrating small wins, and collectively finding solutions strengthen the bond within a team and fuel resilience.
Learn, Adapt, Repeat: Resilient leaders are perpetual learners. They understand that every challenge is an opportunity to grow. After the storm has passed, take a moment to reflect. What worked? What didn't? How can you and your team grow from this experience? Learning and adapting become a continuous loop, creating a culture of resilience that ripples through the entire organization.

Now, let's delve into why building resilience in leadership is crucial and how you can do it:

Earlier, I mentioned that the strategies are external ways to show resilience in a chaotic situation.

However, what often goes unspoken are the inner challenges that arise and, if untreated, can lead to stress, depression, and burnout.

Internally, you might find yourself in complete chaos while appearing calm and resilient on the outside.

Going into survival mode, putting out fires left, right, and centre, and working crazy hours—sound familiar?

If this resonates, it's time to work on your internal state and protect your mental health.

Here are three ways to do that:

Meditation: Learning to meditate is not about "can" or "can't" but about valuing learning. Success literally depends on it. Take the time to cultivate this practice for your well-being.
Rewire Your Thoughts through Tapping: Tapping, based on acupressure points, is a scientific technique that helps release resistance in the body and re-pattern new thoughts that serve you.
Breath Work: Often dismissed as too simple, breathwork is a powerful technique directly linked to our body's physiological state. Box breathing (in for a count of 4, hold for 4, and release for 4) calms your nervous system, shifting you from fight or flight to creating calm in your body.

These three strategies and three practices are life-changing.

No, they're not a magic pill, but when embodied and done consistently, they will transform your life.

Build resilience, embrace challenges, and lead with unwavering strength.