Only 12 per cent of Australian workers surveyed scored highly for resilience compare to a global average of 15 per cent, even though other countries were affected much more severely by the worldwide pandemic.
Australian score for resilience was low, even though fewer Australians are anticipated to have a personal experience of Coronavirus.
According to Eddie Megas, Managing Director of ADP Australia, “The findings from this study are fascinating, particularly that a personal experience with COVID-19 results in higher levels of workplace resilience. The data reinforces the well-known notion that people can often emerge stronger after a setback or crisis.”
Megas also says that “To achieve this, employers need to work on improving their communication with employees and to strengthen the employer/employee relationship to build a bond of trust and mutual sense of appreciation.” [1]
What is resilience?
Resilience is your ability to manage challenges and can enable you to face difficult situations and maintain good mental health. [2]
Why is being resilient beneficial?
1. Builds engagement
Establishing resilience supports authentic positive relationships, communication, and teamwork.
Resilient team members will do anything they can to help another person to achieve success in the workplace.
Resilient team members will support their fellow colleagues to achieve a win-win outcome will continue to follow the work processes.
Resilient team members will actively build strong relationships especially nurturing their existing network (Davis Laak, 2014).[4]
2. Increase productivity
Resilience motivates workers to focus on productivity, which can also build their commitment to the organisation. They will have the ability to:
Manage the ups and downs and overcome challenges.
Manage anything from a heavy workload to navigating complex relationships.
Be flexible and adjust to new and different situations,
Learning from experience
Think positively and seek help when needed.
3. Avoid Health problems Having mental health issues can also affect the physical health of an individual that can add additional costs for sick leave, incidents and other concerns. Being resilient can help to avoid health problems.
Those with high resilience can manage stress better, a possible factor for health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
A sound support system to help them deal with the demands of work.
Resilient people have solid resources and skills to manage stress and conflict [3]
How to Support Resilience in the Workplace?
1. Reduce work-related stress
Team members can be exposed to stress outside of work which the organization can’t control; however, they can control the amount of pressure created by the work environment. Studies show that resilience interventions can lead to increased quality of life, decreased stress and anxiety, improved goal attainment, productivity and performance, and a healthier and more engaged workforce.
Don’t overwork and encourage breaks.
Provide enough resources.
Be explicit with your expectations and goals.
Always give positive recognition and appreciation for a job well done.
2. Building resilience
Supporting your workers to develop helpful attitudes towards difficult situations and effectively managing change and adversity can positively impact productivity, quality, and safety performance. We can help our team by giving them tools to:
Improved mental and physical health outcomes.
Improved focus and attention during times of stress.
Develop accountability for health and wellbeing behaviours.
Exercise stress management strategies during difficult times.
Be more self-aware and capable of communicating effectively and maintaining valuable relationships.
Have the ability to acknowledge shifting priorities and be more flexible and adaptive.
3. Create and develop a positive workplace culture
Strong leadership that demonstrates and promotes resilience leads to a resilient organisation, which can withstand change and adapt to uncertainty. Leaders can lead by example by:
Role-modelling positive resilience behaviours.
Build trust within the team and create a psychologically safe space where individuals communicate freely and are open to different opinions.
Having supportive conversations with team members.
Speaking openly and honestly with teams, particularly when faced with roadblocks or adversity. [5]
Having a resilient team is essential to the business’ growth and adaptability in challenging times. Resilience training is critical to any organisation that wants to build a high performing team and company. If you want to know more about how you can build a resilient team for the success of their lives and the growth of the business, call us today for a private and confidential chat on 1300 114 818.
Learn more about creating a psychologically safe workplace here.
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