The so-called extreme situations can also arise in the professional field, so today we will talk about resilience at work.
Last update: 19 September, 2019
Resilience at work is that gift that allows us to be flexible towards the extreme situations that arise in our working environment. We talk about situations that cause severe stress peaks, because they test our abilities. On the other hand, this tense situation is also fueled by another idea: we must overcome these situations if we are to survive in the environment in which we find ourselves.
Often many of these so-called "extreme situations" (associated with a strong emotional impact), involve our personal sphere, for example due to the death of a close relative or a great friend, the end of a story or a serious illness . However, these situations can also arise in the professional field, so today we will talk about resilience at work.
In this regard, we may be faced with a work problem for which we are solely responsible; in a situation of possible bankruptcy or legal affairs that can lead an entrepreneur or an employee to a personal crisis. A good dose of resilience is useful for getting out of the tunnel.
Resilient people can rely on a number of assets that set them apart.
How to develop resilience at work?
Contrary to popular opinion, resilience is not an innate quality in each of us. On the contrary, it is about a skill sensitive to experience. In fact, there are people who have managed to develop it by emulating a person close to them and endowed with this quality; other people have made it through dealing with problems and giving the best of themselves to solve them.
In order to develop our resilience capacity, we can follow some of the following principles:
- People with resilience at work are fully aware of their skills and the areas in which they stand out. At the same time they know their limitations and the areas in which they feel uncomfortable. As a result, they map out achievable goals and leverage resources logically, delegating or acquiring more tools before tackling tasks they don't confidently juggle.
- They try to surround themselves with optimistic people. Conversely, pessimistic people do not bring them anything useful.
- They take obstacles as an opportunity to learn and to grow. Consequently, it must be said that we grow only by facing obstacles.
- They are persevering and they don't give up at the first hurdle, because they know that success requires effort and perseverance.
- They are flexible in the face of changes, in fact, they know that evolution is necessary to improve. At work they approach any change with optimism, knowing that it may take some effort at first, but that goals will be met once the adjustment period is over.
How can you be resilient at work?
According to what has just been said, we can gradually develop our resilience at work. However, we can also absorb the characteristics of a resilient person by internalizing them, learning about ourselves and following the following concepts:
- Raise awareness of our emotions, especially in moments of tension. If we ignore fears, we can never have a positive attitude towards them.
- Control stress and insecurity. Resilient people have a greater ability to manage these two concepts that are so common in the workplace. While this may not always be easy, the idea is that negative feelings shouldn't upset us too much and that stress shouldn't prolong or peak.
- Be flexible towards the opinions of others. If we know how to adapt to changes - as mentioned above - however negative, there will be less chance of feeling bad. If there is a sudden novelty at work, discussions and opinions will arise. For this reason, by acquiring the ability to actively listen, we will avoid conflicts and misunderstandings.
- Have patience. Sometimes the obsession with short-term results pushes us to make hasty decisions and, therefore, is the worst enemy at work. Consequently, patience and the ability to know how to wait must be put into practice when the medium or long-term objectives prevail over the desires of the moment. Controlling impulses is guaranteed success in teamwork.
In this article, we have described the importance of resilience as an influencing variable for success in the workplace. In addition, we have described some strategies that can be useful at work. Now we just have to put them into practice and adapt them to our needs.
