As leaders, people watch us much more closely than we realize.
We need to be role models of building our resilience so we can encourage others, and they will emulate us. In this way, we are building a resilient team.
Here are things we can do to build our resilience. Many of these ideas are from a recent article in Harvard Business Review.
*Begin by making this a priority – not a “nice to have.”
*Make a few small improvements in your habits and lifestyle. Don’t try for a dramatic makeover.
*Start with your body. What are one or two small things you can begin to do to take better care of yourself physically? This could be exercise, diet, sleep. You will see big payoffs here.
*Invest in your work relationships. Who have you been meaning to ask out to lunch or for a coffee? We spend more time at work than anything else that we do. Taking time with our “work friends” builds our emotional resilience – and its fun!
*Create space for some quiet time for yourself. This doesn’t have to be mindful meditation – though you could do that. Just block a few times a week for ten-fifteen minutes of uninterrupted quiet time to just “be.”
*During one of your quiet times, take a few minutes to savor the best times you have had that week. You can take the extra step of creating a Gratitude Journal in which you list the things that week that you are most grateful for.
Building resilience is a long-term process of developing habits and a lifestyle that support your physical and emotional well-being. When the storms of life come – and they inevitably will – you will be better prepared to respond.
By role modeling resilience to your team, you are helping them personally – and building a team that will be prepared to handle the challenges that come your way. This will be an investment that will pay off for all of you – personally and professionally.
*Ideas for this blog taken from: Neale, P. “A Self-Care Checklist for Leaders,” Harvard Business Review online, September 27, 2024.
