The Power of Resilience

Viewing COVID-19 through the lens of transformation

In the blink of an eye, our world as we know it has been turned upside down. Suddenly and dramatically, the coronavirus pandemic has changed virtually all aspects of our lives in ways we could never have imagined just weeks ago. This has resulted in feelings of helplessness, loss of control, and fear for most of us.

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned over the past ten years coaching leaders undergoing organizational transformation is this simple truth: When moving through periods of change and uncertainty, the ability to name and claim our experience holds great power and opens up new possibilities. Never has this been more evident than these past few weeks as each of us wrestles and absorbs our current COVID reality. As we commit to the critical actions necessary to "flatten the curve," I urge leaders to consider two other curves that provide great wisdom for any leader during these times. 

The change curve, based upon the seminal work of William Bridges, and the grief curve, based on the trailblazing work of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, provide hope and some much-needed reassurance that new beginnings can – and do – emerge from dark times. Applying this wisdom to our personal and professional lives can offer us inspiration and choice, thereby reducing the long-term negative consequences of this shared experience. I urge all leaders to apply these lessons on change in service of themselves and their teams.

I offer you the following infographics as a tool to help you and your teams give voice to your current experience, and to understand why deepening your resilience reservoir is necessary to move through our collective COVID reality.  

Each of us moves through change and grief in our own way. Our COVID endings and transitions will all be different based upon what our "old normal" looked like. Yet there is an antidote available to us: It’s called resilience. Like a shock absorber, resilience reduces the degree of disruption that is inherent (and unavoidable) in any significant change. It keeps us from getting stuck in fear, despair, and darkness.

Resilience empowers us with a capacity to shift from a state of reactivity to a state of resourcefulness. It serves as a reservoir we can draw upon when we need it most. And how do we ensure we have a full tank?  By doubling (or tripling!) up on our daily resilience practices. And, through our example as leaders, helping our teams do the same. In the words of Jon Kabat-Zinn, "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf."

As individuals and organizations learn to surf this difficult COVID wave, may we remember that conscious, courageous leadership has never been more critical. No matter what business or industry you are in, what you do and the tone you set as a leader will have a profound impact on the lives of your employees, stakeholders, and organization.  Equally important is to remember that the work of transformation is best done with others. We cannot do it on our own. Each of us needs a support system to help us navigate choppy waters and unknown terrain.

I find great solace in words spoken by beloved Buddhist, teacher, and author Pema Chodron who says, "Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know." It is my hope that we each discover the hidden lessons, silver linings, and unexpected graces this worldwide experience holds for our common humanity. Ones, I suspect, that will likely remain with us all for years to come.