Want a More Resilient Workplace? It Starts with You!
By Cheryl Mongelard from Word Wand and Nadja Conaghan from Great Minds United
When things get tough at work, it’s easy to wait for leadership to set the tone - solving problems, offering solutions, and making the environment feel safe. But what if that leadership direction isn’t enough? What if you’re tired of waiting for someone else to fix the culture?
If you want more control over creating a resilient workplace, here’s the good news: you can take the lead yourself.
What it means to model resilience
Modelling resilience isn’t about pretending you have it all together 24/7. It’s about taking intentional action to show composure, persistence, and positivity - even if at first it doesn’t feel natural. And here’s the interesting part: when you act resilient for the benefit of others, you strengthen your own resilience in the process.
A Powerful Resilience Feedback Loop
Resilience is contagious. When you demonstrate it, people around you feel more able to cope, and in turn, they reflect that steadiness back to you. This creates a powerful loop:
You choose to model resilience.
Others feel encouraged and supported.
Their improved outlook reinforces your own resilience.
Resilience is About Shaping the Environment
Resilience in the workplace is about shaping the environment - and that includes the tone that’s set. You likely have more influence than you realise to create a positive atmosphere, even in the face of hostility. Let me share a real workplace scenario where walking into a meeting with a determinedly positive mindset completely transformed the outcome.
I was attending meeting with a key stakeholder on behalf of my manager due to unforeseen circumstances. This key stakeholder was difficult to deal with and had some personal conflict with my manager and ultimately with my team. It appeared that whatever we suggested she rejected and boycotted on principle. When I went to the meeting room the door was open and she was already sitting in the room. I could feel a wave of negativity hitting me and saw her fight/ defence mode activated. I thought to myself that I have a choice. I either let this impact me and ultimately impact the meeting and its outcome OR I could try to set the mood and tone of the meeting by setting an example of positivity and collaboration. I went into the room with a big smile and a collaboration mindset. She was surprised at first but in hindsight this has been one of the most productive, positive and collaborative meeting I had with an outcome that was positive for everyone. What a powerful lesson that you shape the environment by role-modeling positive behaviours and the environment you want to work in.
Demonstrating Resilience.
As you prepare to demonstrate the resilience you wish to inspire in others, consider the following points:
Be the steadiness, the calm voice in the room.
Present the behaviour you want reflected back.
Encourage resilience by framing challenges as opportunities for growth.
Always remain solution oriented.
The turning point comes when you choose to be what you want to see - you’re not only encouraging resilience in others, but you’re also building the version of yourself you’ll rely on tomorrow.