Resilience. The ability to dust yourself off and get back to business when the going gets tough. Business leaders have been talking about it for years, and with good reason: an employee’s ability to bounce back from adversities, both big and small, directly correlates with a business’s capability to do the same.
So, how can employers cultivate a resilient workforce? It starts from the top. Let’s explore seven key strategies for fostering employee resilience below:
1. Build Communication Bridges
One of the most important things leaders do is create culture. And a culture has consequences.
When a workplace culture stifles feedback, employees tend to disengage when they face issues. Conversely, when a culture is open, employees feel more comfortable expressing their concerns without fear of judgment and retribution. This comfort allows employees to address issues head-on. Implementing open-door policies and regular feedback sessions signals to employees that their voices matter, which will strengthen trust and resilience within the team.
2. Walk the Talk
If communication is key, then action is the knob that opens the door.
Leaders’ actions set the tone for how teams respond to issues. Those who remain calm under pressure, approach problems with a solution-oriented mindset, and learn from failures inspire their employees to do the same. Nobody gets it right 100% of the time, and that’s okay. Leaders who are open about their shortcomings will make the rest of the team feel more comfortable talking about theirs. These conversations may even open the door to talking about stretch goals.
3. Seed Resilience Through a Growth Mindset
You can’t see a rainbow without first weathering a storm. A growth mindset embraces challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.
By encouraging learning through experimentation, leaders help their teams see failures as short-term setbacks within a larger context of professional development. This shift in perspective builds resilience, as employees become more willing to take risks and push their boundaries. Once employers begin to notice these positive feedback loops in action, they should be quick to reinforce them.
4. Be Generous with the Spotlight
We all appreciate an occasional pat on the back. Some employees may even appreciate several.
Which is why celebrating successes, even small ones, is a powerful way to boost morale and reinforce positive behaviors. It also encourages employees to persevere through difficulties. Leaders should take the time to acknowledge individual and team achievements, whether through formal awards or informal shout-outs. By emphasizing accomplishments, leaders remind employees of their capabilities, strengthening their confidence and ability to bounce back. In turn, an employee’s confidence in the overall team will grow as well.
5. Build Strong Team Dynamics
Each part of an engine, from pistons to spark plugs, must work together for a car to run smoothly and reach its destination. Similarly, harmonious teams are much more resilient and capable of achieving their objectives.
Leaders must work to build a team dynamic where collaboration and mutual support are the norms. Making time for team-building activities, both in-person and virtual, will strengthen colleagues’ relationships and create a sense of camaraderie. Employees who trust and rely on one another will be more resilient in the face of adversity, knowing they have a network of support to lean on. So build some occasional wiggle room into your team’s busy schedule—the ROIs on that pizza party may be better than you expect.
6. Be Flexible
There are times to flex, and then there are times to be flexible. In the same way that a boxer knows when to land a punch and when to roll with one, resilient employees should understand when to adhere strictly to their job description and when to adapt beyond it.
Leaders should encourage their teams to be open to new ideas and approaches, even if it means stepping outside their comfort zones. Providing opportunities for cross-training and encouraging employees to explore different roles fosters adaptability. When employees are versatile and open to change, they can better withstand disruptions to their roles and teams.
7. Measure Employee Resilience and Provide Resources
How resilient is your team? Solid data from a validated tool is the only way to know for certain. Axiom’s resilience screening tool gives leaders resilience data that will help predict the risk of turnover, associated costs, and productivity losses within an organization.
To explore actionable strategies for enhancing employee resilience and leadership effectiveness, watch our webinar Bounce Back Stronger: Resilience Training for the Modern Workforce with Drs. Kertay and Cherry. For insights on maintaining resilience through the holiday season, watch our winter webinar Under Pressure: The Hidden Health Dangers of the Holidays.
Cain Boney is a contributor to Axiom Medical’s blog. With a career dedicated to writing about the workplace, Cain focuses on how employee well-being affects organizational success and sustainability in the long term.