Resilience in Times of Crisis

We’re going through a moment in history that is full of uncertainty. There’s the Covid 19 pandemic. There’s political brinkmanship between Europe and UK. There are homeless people, wars and a refugee crisis. The pandemic – and recession – have taken over as the biggest threat now.

It’s easy to judge others

It’s easy to blame and criticise – other people, leaders, countries, government action or lack of action. It’s even easier when there is a ton of information, opinions and viewpoints available online, on radio, TV, print.

Especially when we are scared.

That’s when we have to guard against adding to the negative atmosphere.

It’s not the critic who matters

To me these words of Theodore Roosevelt’s are always inspiring. Especially now:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
 
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again,
 
because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause;
 
who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly….”

From “Citizenship in a Republic” speech at the Sorbonne in Paris, on 23 April 1910*.

Resilience is a leadership quality

Daring greatly is my motto. Resilience is one part of it.

And it inspires others.

Creating resilience or being resilient may be your worthy cause just now, as it is mine.

Frankly, it inspires me when I experience my own resilience.

When I bounce back after difficulties, think clearly in an emergency or take action even though I’m scared. When I see opportunities and take steps which help others.

I’m sure others feel the same.

Resilience is …

To do what we can – to stay well, positive, optimistic, responsible for ourselves, our business and for the wider community.

To do what we can at work – whatever that may be. To manage fearful thoughts and create constructive action.

To refuse to join the panic or the panic buying.

To take steps to stay healthy. Eat sensibly, not bingeing on comfort food. Prioritise good quality sleep. Reduce alcohol (because it lowers the quality of your sleep). Find a way to exercise.

We WILL get through this.

And resilience is a valuable quality when this is over, too.

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If you want a professional to help you stay on track, keep your mindset resilient, be a thinking partner for you, while you plan/prepare/take action, as the leader you need to be to get through this crisis and bounce back afterwards, book a call with me here. We’ll have a chat, in confidence, to see how I can be of service.PS. As an executive business coach, I do most of my work over video and/or phone for many years now. Of course it’s perfectly suited in this ‘no physical contact’ situation. Also, it’s super-effective and clients like it. It’s quicker; results are better; no travel is involved and we’ve got the technology in place.*Quoted in “Daring Greatly” by Brene Brown, 2012.