Today, I was thinking about resilience and how we use that term in a work setting.
Resilience is a term that is used to describe how tough and unflappable a person is. We often use it to reference someone who always keeps their ‘cool as a cucumber’, positive attitude-no matter what the organization throws at them. (Think: layoffs, promotions they didn’t get, difficult coworkers, the list goes on…) but I think there is more to it.
What if resilience is really more about someone’s ability to be vulnerable? An employee who is willing to feel the pain of a loss and learn to grow from it. It isn’t just about dusting yourself off and getting back in the saddle (I’ve never ridden a horse but you know the expression). In my life I have met a lot of people who have done great things- but just because they were able to achieve those things-does that make them resilient? Nope.
The people I have always looked up to are the ones who got knocked down multiple times, and not only got up and kept moving, but picked up others along the way. What’s admirable to me, is to see someone who didn’t achieve their goal easily, and can now treat others with empathy because they know what it’s like to have a bunch of doors slammed in their face. I see strength in being willing to share your failures. A friend once told me on a day when I was feeling particularly low, “As a gem you have been exposed to a healthy amount of pressure, developing uncanny strength. You are resilient.”
So, is resilience about moving forward and healing from your setbacks? Definitely-but, it is also about being able to look back, and be willing to share those experiences with others.
Are you feeling like you are at the bottom of a mountain you can’t possible climb over? I’ve been there, and trust me, I can help.
Career & Goal Setting Coach 