How sustainable is your resilience?
Written by Berrin Bas, Associate TPC Leadership Türkiye
A few months ago, I encountered a thought-provoking post by Dr. Lucy Ryan referencing Michael Ungar’s insightful definition of resilience. Ungar highlights two profound skills for resilience: the ability to navigate a complex world and negotiate for the right resources to support you.
This concept struck a chord with me, aligning deeply with my approach when working with clients. I believe a more sophisticated and systemic understanding of resilience is essential in our increasingly intricate environment.
Through a strengths-focused lens and a Positive Psychology perspective, I engage clients not only in recognizing their inner strengths but also in exploring external resources while pursuing goals or facing challenges. I’ve often viewed external resources as integral to resilience, but I now see them as part of a broader definition critical for sustainable resilience.
Resilience is vital for thriving in our interconnected systems, especially for leaders who must cultivate and embody it as role models. However, we need to rethink our perception of resilience. Many equate it with “I have to know it all!” or “I need to find all the right answers,” which can lead to misconceptions. This mindset may prompt individuals to solve every challenge alone, ask for less support, and mask struggles until burnout occurs.
Ironically, these misconceptions often decrease resilience. In striving to appear resilient, individuals might feel more fragile and susceptible to challenges, impacting their well-being and diminishing their value to their teams.
How can we make resilience more sustainable?
Consider these strategies:
- Leverage Your Networks: Seek support before it’s too late.
- Reframe Perspectives: Understand that negotiating for the right resources is a strength, not a weakness.
- Prioritize Recharge: Create physical, mental, and emotional space for sustainability.
Here’s how adopting a systemic perspective on resilience has transformed my clients’ lives:
- They navigate complex situations faster by engaging stakeholders rather than struggling alone.
- They assertively set boundaries and negotiate the resources they need while supporting others.
- Their ability to zoom out and reassess situations has improved, leading to better prioritization and decision-making.
- They’ve strengthened their authority and credibility, becoming more adaptable and impactful leaders.
- They report enhanced well-being, receiving positive feedback for radiating calmness and positivity.
Personally, when I feel stuck, connecting with someone in my network provides fresh perspectives and resources that reignite my momentum toward meaningful goals. Reflecting on my career transitions, the support of a positive ecosystem has been pivotal in enhancing my resilience during bold decisions. My experiences have transformed my mindset around asking for support; I now view this as a strength and a crucial system for sustainable resilience. Additionally, I’ve learned that having a “recharging system” is not just beneficial—it’s essential. My current system includes:
- Physical activity at least three times a week,
- Dedicated reflection time once a week,
- Monthly meetings with a mentor.
I revisit this system when I feel breakdowns occurring, adjusting it to meet my evolving needs.
With a more systemic lens on resilience, I encourage you to leverage your networks for proactive support, reframe your perception of seeking help as a strength, and prioritize time to recharge for enduring sustainability.
As you reflect on your resilience journey, consider these powerful questions:
- How can you actively engage your network to strengthen your support system?
- Is your view of ‘asking for support’ empowering you or holding you back?
- What practices do you embrace for ongoing physical, mental, and emotional replenishment?
What about you? How do you define resilience? If you could add one piece to the proposed definition, what would it be? Why?
