Building A Resilient Workforce For Challenging Times

We all remember the famous Wright brothers who gave ‘wings’ to their imagination and gave us the first ever airplane. But the Wright Brother’s path to success was paved with countless challenges and setbacks. During their first attempt, the plane crashed after being in the air for just 3.5 seconds. And it was not just once! Sometimes it was bad weather, while other times technical problems played a spoilt sport. But they never let a crash set them back and took it as a learning opportunity to improve. In the end, it was this resilience that ultimately led the Wright Brothers to their momentous achievement in aviation history. 

Likewise, in today's rapidly changing world, the workforce faces unprecedented challenges in the form of economic downturns, global pandemics and technological disruptions that demand resilience and adaptability. Building resilience within the workforce is not only essential for the well-being of people but also crucial for the sustained growth and success of organisations. 

So, what is a resilient workforce? Does it comprise of superheroes who are perfectionists and are never bogged down by challenges? Not really. People who are resilient do face their share of challenges, but they are optimistic, can stay balanced and manage stress during difficult times.  

So, how do we build resilience? 

Effective Communication plays a crucial role in building a resilient workforce. When the world was hit by the pandemic in 2020 and there was uncertainty looming at large, leaders across organisations ensured that they connected with their people providing them support, assurance by providing relevant information about organisation’s goals, strategies and challenges. Transparency from leadership helps people understand the context of difficult situations, reducing uncertainty and anxiety. When employees are well-informed, they can align their efforts with the company's objectives with conviction and greater ownership.

Agility is another vital factor that can play a significant role in enabling people to become more resilient. An agile workforce can embrace change instead of being resistant to it, making it easier to navigate through uncertainties. But agile workforces are not born overnight. It is a result of continuous learning and mindset shift. Being agile requires one to respond faster, collaborate better, focus on outcomes and stay optimistic. Organisations will have to establish support structures that foster opportunities for employees to interact creatively, engage in constructive discussions, provide candid feedback and consistently integrate this input into their daily practices. This proactive approach will enhance their ability to navigate and respond effectively to forthcoming obstacles and changes. 

One of the most underrated yet important factors that can significantly contribute to resilience is an organisation’s culture. When covid-19 hit the globe, many of us were worried about how it would impact us and one of the sectors which was greatly impacted by it was real-estate. However, technological innovations were possible only because of the empowering work culture which gave people the flexibility to experiment, take risks, innovate and unleashed their entrepreneurial drive.

Using an inclusive and participative approach is also a great way to build resilience and empower the workforce. Showing people that you care, valuing them for their unique abilities and how they contribute to the organisation’s goals is empowering. This boosts people’s confidence and also makes people go the extra mile for achieving their goals. You will see a culture of greater accountability and ownership when you involve people in decision-making in difficult times. They become more accepting and develop the ability to persist more strongly.

Lastly, employee wellbeing plays a pivotal role in cultivating resilience. When organisations prioritise the physical, mental and emotional health of people, they create a supportive and nurturing environment. Offering comprehensive healthcare benefits, flexible work arrangements and access to mental health resources are some of the ways in which organisations can support people. By investing in employee wellbeing, organisations can build a foundation of resilience, enabling their workforce to navigate challenges with greater fortitude and maintain sustained performance even during difficult times. 

When dealing with difficult times, always remember that it is always the people who shall help you sail through. People, who need community, connection, confidence and care to thrive and to navigate through uncertainty. It has been proven over time that organisations that keep their people above everything else have always made through tough times much better than the others. Hence, building a learning, care and an empowering work culture is indeed a winning proposition.