How To Develop Team Resilience
In my first blog, I explained the meaning of ‘Team Resilience.’
As a recap, in her book “Working with Resilience,” psychologist Kathryn McEwen defines team resilience as “the collective capacity to perform at optimal levels while maintaining wellbeing, adapting to change, and positioning for sustainable success in a challenging world.”
Team resilience isn’t about going it alone.
It’s about learning, listening, adapting, lifting each other up, and then asking: “How can we be even better tomorrow?”
I now want to discuss how organisations can build and develop team resilience.
I hope you find my recommended steps useful and relevant to your organisation.
Develop a strong support system
This will help ensure your team members remain fully engaged and fulfilled at work.
Resources and tools such as mentorship programmes or flexible working will bring out the best in each individual - in turn boosting relationships among team members and building resilience.
A support system could also involve a strong communication system to ensure employees are aware of what’s happening in the organisation and make them feel listened to and appreciated.
Showing support can help the struggling teammates, boost their morale and enhance their efficiency.
What foundations are your team built upon and what’s it’s Purpose? Photo Michael Parzuchowski Unsplash
Have an inspirational purpose
A meaningful and clear purpose provides a sense of direction into how the team members communicate and act.
It empowers them to make informed decisions and cut through information overload.
This clarity of purpose can also inspire your team to carry on in difficult situations - making employees feel they’re self-sufficient and giving them the renewed energy they need to continue working.
Practice adaptability
You should practice adaptability to build your teams’ resilience and enable employees to participate in problem-solving.
This will help them develop strategies to deal with challenges.
Ensure you help your teams develop an attitude which will make them resilient while staying optimistic, energetic, and open to change.
Encouraging a growth mindset within your teams will enhance their creativity and ability to be committed despite any ongoing apprehensions and uncertainties.
Build trust
The following steps can strengthen team relationships:
· Keep your teams informed.
· Maintain responsible leadership.
· Lead by example.
· Honestly handle difficult issues.
· Support your team’s career aspirations.
Nurture optimism well
Optimism levels among employees differ significantly within organisations.
However, every team member can enhance this optimism.
Ensure you care about what employees are experiencing - encouraging individuals to focus on what they can control and developing creative ways of responding to events as they occur.
Enhanced communications
During times of crisis and uncertainty, employee communication is essential in building resilience.
Provide updates more frequently to share exceptional work, discuss changes, and recognise well-performing team members. Encourage two-way communication and allow your teams the opportunity to share their feedback.
Being committed to frequent updates can unite the team members and prevent burnout.
Open and clear conversations about your team’s shared purpose and its alignment with daily tasks will increase the team’s resilience.
Team resilience is an essential element of good performance, and incorporating the above principles to build resilience will help your teams overcome challenges and adapt to changes - now and in the future.
Look out for the next articles in this series – “The Importance of Team Resilience,” and “The Benefits of Team Resilience.”
If you need further information about these approaches, or any other resilience topic, please contact russell@theresiliencecoach.co.uk.