Resilience and wellbeing - more important than ever

Right now leadership is perhaps more demanding than it has ever been. You juggle competing priorities, adapt to constant change, and manage challenges that don’t always go to plan. It can often feel like two steps forward, one step back. That’s why resilience – the ability to navigate setbacks, recover from difficulties, and keep moving forward – is a core leadership skill.

Resilient leaders don’t just survive challenges; they thrive despite them. They understand that wellbeing and resilience are interconnected – when you take care of your mental and physical health, you are better equipped to handle stress and setbacks. Likewise, developing resilience strengthens your overall wellbeing.

Three ways to build resilience and wellbeing

1. Reflect and assess

Self-awareness is a foundation of resilience. Leaders who take the time to understand themselves are better equipped to manage challenges and lead others effectively.

• Practice self-reflection: Take regular time to assess how you respond to stress, challenges, and setbacks. Ask yourself, What went well? What would be even better if… ?
• Seek feedback: Ask trusted peers or mentors for honest insights about your strengths, weaknesses, and leadership style.
• Identify your stress triggers: Notice patterns in your behaviour – do you procrastinate when overwhelmed? Become irritable? Understanding your triggers helps you to take action sooner, before stress becomes overwhelming.

2. Manage stress by understanding your body

Stress is a physiological response, not just a mindset. When under pressure, your body releases cortisol and adrenaline – hormones designed to help you respond to danger. The problem? When stress is constant, these hormones stay elevated, affecting your decision-making, energy levels, and ability to think clearly under pressure.

• Recognise your early signs of stress racing thoughts, irritability, difficulty focusing, or feeling overwhelmed. The earlier you notice, the easier it is to manage.
• Manage your stress through simple actions which lower your stress hormones:
  • Take deep breaths
  • Drink water
  • Move your body (walk, stretch, or step outside)
  • Talk to a friend or colleague
  • Do something that makes you smile
• Experiment and track what works for you – different techniques work for different people. The key is to take small actions when you first notice your stress triggers.

3. Build strong relationships and ask for help

Resilience doesn’t mean going it alone. Strong, trusted relationships give us the confidence to take risks, recover from setbacks, and keep learning. Yet many leaders struggle to ask for help, often due to not wanting to be a burden, appearing vulnerable, or fear or rejection assuming others will say no.

• Build a strong network: Prioritise time to connect with colleagues, peers, and mentors. Relationships don’t just happen; they need attention and investment.
• Ask for help clearly and specifically: Instead of “Can you help me?”, try “I’d really appreciate your perspective on this challenge – can we chat for 10 minutes?”
• Support others: Resilience is a two-way street. Offer help to others when you can – being part of a supportive network strengthens resilience for everyone.

Resilience isn’t about avoiding stress or never experiencing setbacks – it’s about developing the mindset, habits, and support systems that allow you to recover quickly and keep going. By understanding yourself, managing stress effectively, and strengthening relationships, you can build resilience in a way that benefits both you and your team.

What small action will you take today to strengthen your resilience?

Consider joining the Lucidity Network –  a membership community that includes training, coaching productivity sessions and peer support. Join a supportive community today, build your resilience, wellbeing and leadership skills today. Here’s your link to join the Lucidity Network.