This article got inspired by HBR’s 10 must reads on career resilience. “If you want to deliver results, you have to demonstrate resilience”, this has been a comment that I have come across frequently as I have grown throughout my academic and professional career. I didn’t always understand what was meant with this, so I decided to self-reflect further on where stand now with respect to the concept of “resilience”. What is it?

Resilience in the workplace commonly refers to the ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and maintain positive outlooks in challenging situations. The following characteristics provide a good indication of resilience on the job.

1. Emotional stability: The ability to manage emotions effectively and handle stress in a calm and constructive manner. This is usually expressed through optimistic and positive attitude which is a further characteristic of growth mindset i.e. the belief in our ability to learn from setbacks and focus on opportunities.
2. Adaptability: The flexibility to adjust approach and strategy when faced with unexpected circumstances and changes in work environment. This is usually expressed through problem solving skills i.e. the ability to find alternatives when faced with challenges.
3. Perseverance: The persistence and determination to pursue goals even in the face of difficulties.
4. Support network: The importance of seeking assistance when needed and building relationships – professional and personal – that provide an encouraging environment.
5. Self-care: The maintenance of a healthy work-life balance by managing workload by setting boundaries and practicing stress-reducing activities.

As such, resilience on the job can be expressed in various ways and it usually also depends on your role within the organization.

Individual contributor

As an individual contributor, it was emphasized to me the importance of taking ownership of the work I was responsible to deliver. This came as no surprise to myself since it is also very clearly stated as one of the core values (10 principles) of AB InBev. And I truly felt connected to this principle as I was growing within the various roles that I have taken so far in the company.

As an “owner” you are not afraid to make mistakes, instead you learn to acknowledge them and actively seek for solutions to ensure they do not get repeated. In order to grow further, it is also important to demonstrate openness and willingness to new projects and/or responsibilities. This can lead to a temporary increase in workload and responsibility that will require a new way of workload management. Therefore, it is important to have a good connection with your peers and manager to provide the necessary assistance and supportive environment. The value of teamwork and a positive work culture cannot be underestimated. It enables individual contributors to actively seek opportunities to grow professionally. It allows you to take initiatives to acquire new skills and knowledge to perform your activities in existing (and ambitioned) roles more effectively. By immersing yourself in challenging environments you will also learn more about yourself and how to play to your strengths.

Ask yourself the following questions to create a roadmap for yourself to explore:

1. Am I a reader or a listener?
2. How do I learn?
3. Do I work well with people (in what relationship) or am I a loner?
4. What are my values?

Leader

When you transition from individual contributor role to a leadership role, the circle of influence increases and this will result in a different perception by others when looking towards resilience. As a leader, it was emphasized to me the importance of leading by example. By demonstrating a positive attitude towards challenges and remaining solution-oriented, I aim to inspire my team members. As such, it is important to create an environment that enables team members to feel empowered to take action themselves and ask for support when required to overcome obstacles.

As a leader, you exhibit resilience by communicating transparently and effectively during times of uncertainty or difficulty. In this context, it is vital to provide clarity, reassurance, and motivation to your team members. You provide the necessary navigation through organizational change by providing clear direction and act as a stabilizing force when adapting to new circumstances. A culture of resilience within the the team is encouraged through open dialogue and celebrating successes together.

Additionally, as a leader, you still have to engage yourself further to keep fueling your own growth mindset. You need to start thinking about creating connections that can cross organizational and functional boundaries. For this purpose, you can leverage three different forms of networking. These are not mutually exclusive as they serve a different purpose that can help you tackle different challenges as a leader more effectively. But remember, a network only lives and thrives when it is being actively used.

Middle management

A middle management position allows you to embody resilience in a multifaceted manner. You can foster a resilient work environment by balancing your own responsibilities and supporting your team. As a proactive problem solver, you have to analyze challenges and identify solutions to make informed decisions that benefit both your individual work and the team’s objectives. This will be a key factor contributing to the success of both individuals and the organization. In this context, you act as a bridge between senior leaders and individual contributors. Resilience in this role includes building strong relationships with both parties, fostering collaboration, and being a trusted advocate for your team while aligning with organizational goals.

Managers have to be very intentional. They have to make the time, have the recurring one-on-one meetings, and ask people, ‘What are you working on? What are your goals? What are the things that you want to get better at? And, importantly, what gives you energy? What do you care about?’

Emily Field

Being a middle manager requires a unique set of skills and qualities, with resilience at its core. By embracing dual responsibilities, leading by influence, navigating change, engaging in proactive problem solving