Recently, I participated in an AMA webcast with guest speaker CEO Alan Mulally from the Ford Motor Company and he used a term that I thought was critically relevant to our current business climate. That term was "Emotional Resilience" and surfaced from a question posed to him regarding how he is handling the enormous pressure related to the auto industry melt-down and Ford's path to success. If anybody is feeling the pressure he must be at the top of the list but it was the simplicity of his response that prompted me to select this topic for our newsletter this month.
I hear a variety of opinions on the state of the recession, good and bad, but the path out of this economic mess will be fueled by cool heads and persistence. Regardless of who is to blame it is up to you, your leadership, and the leaders around you to give your employees hope and show them the way.
It is a natural human reaction to assess the business landscape and focus on the negative - the media certainly wants you to - however consider the energy drain on you and your organization before you let that happen. This is where Emotional Resilience comes into play and refers to one's ability to adapt to stressful situations or crises. In this context, I view adapting as sorting out the good - the bad - and the ugly within your organization, setting a well defined path to safety, and creating a working environment for your employees to stay motivated and engaged.
Okay - I know some of you are reading this probably thinking that this subject is a little too "touchy - feely" because of the word Emotional. Well, even for those of you who never show your emotions - you've got them, so here are some traits on Resilience you should consider if you want to increase your leadership capability and help your organization succeed.
- Optimism: You see the positives in most situations and believe in your own strengths.
- Perseverance: Whether you're working toward outward goals or on inner coping strategies, you're action-oriented - trust in the process and don't give up.
- Emotional Awareness: You understand what you are feeling and why.
- Team Support: Although you are a strong individual, you know the value of social support and are able to surround yourself with supportive colleagues and strong leaders.
- Sense of Humor: You are able to see the lighter side of many business challenges.
- Perspective: Resilient leaders are able to learn from their mistakes.
We're not out of the woods yet but I firmly believe the economy is on the mend. The opportunity exists now to do the right things and make a difference for all the people who need your direction and want to make a positive impact on your company's future.
Cheryl Matthynssens
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