Do you ever go through a period where a particular word or message seems to appear repeatedly? You see it on a sign in a store window, then you hear it in a conversation, then you come across it in a book. After a while, you can’t help but think, “OK, maybe I need to pay attention!”
This week, my word is RESILIENCE. I have seen it in quotes on Twitter, read about it in my current novel, and even heard it come up in discussion with our Girl Scout troop!
At its core, resilience is the ability to bounce back. To face an obstacle and make it through – usually a stronger and braver person than you were before. One term my dictionary offers: buoyancy. Like a life preserver, we get pushed under at times, but resilience means we always come back up.
As leaders, resilience is non-negotiable. Part and parcel with serving as a leader means that you will face obstacles – and your followers need to know that you will navigate through them. Leaders take bold actions and put their ideas out there in an effort to positively impact the world. Often this means taking criticism or having those ideas “run through the wringer.” We need the resilience to recover, flourish, and grow amidst this.
At a phenomenal presentation I attended this week, Carey Lohrenz identified resilience as one of her top keys to success. As the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy, Lohrenz has definitely experienced her share of challenges and risks. With resilience, she has used those experiences to buoy her – both personally and professionally – to create a career and life she loves. She clearly demonstrates the power of resilience.
Where do you need to strengthen your resilience this week? What past experiences have you bounced back from that you can look to as your track record of success? What can you do proactively to buoy yourself, as a leader and a human being, to grow in the face of adversity?
One of our aforementioned Girl Scouts said it best. We discussed social media, rumors, and being smart leaders. When asked for her takeaway from our meeting, she said, “Be resilient. You have to know that, whatever you go through, you can make it through.”
How do you move through challenges? What is your best strategy for growth amidst challenge? I’d love to hear your suggestions below, on our Facebook page, or via Twitter.
Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches business owners and leaders to get unstuck and reach their highest potential with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action. Learn more at www.meaning-and-purpose.com and follow Dr. Christi on Facebook and Twitter.