^What does it mean to be resilient in the workplace? Why is it important to be resilient at work? How can you boost employee resilience? The following article will provide you with all the information you need.

The last three years have seen organisations and employees become more flexible and adaptive. However, the epidemic has caused many people to feel more stressed and worried because of the changing workplace dynamics and widespread remote work.

The way individuals respond to change has a significant impact on their personal and professional lives. Therefore, organisations should prioritise employee wellness initiatives that assist their employees in developing a resilient mindset.

Resilience in the Workplace: What Does It Mean?

As organisations evolve, everyone must adapt to changes and difficulties. Resilience should therefore be one of the top strategic objectives. People capable of adjusting to changes and staying productive will be better equipped to meet the organisation's needs.

Regardless of employee loyalty, health issues, current events, or personal obstacles will always affect them. In addition, employee wellbeing is affected by changes at work, such as new technologies and interpersonal conflicts. Therefore, employers must show compassion and support to assist their employees in coping with stress and overwhelm.

Here are few tips to build resilience in the workplace.

Identify Employee Workloads

Employees being given too many tasks can lead to stress and worry. Therefore, managers and supervisors should keep an eye on their employees' workload. 

Employees can prioritise their activities based on deadlines and expectations using project management tools that provide an overview of what each team member is working on. Additionally, learning time management skills will help people avoid being overwhelmed and respond effectively to new challenges.

Develop a Culture of Compassion

An organisation can cultivate a culture of compassion for its employees and others, and the results will always be worth it. Developing strong work connections and increasing collaboration between coworkers fosters employee engagement and performance while decreasing turnover.

The company will benefit from building workplace resilience in today's rapidly changing business climate. Assess your organisation's resilience and health at work. 

Promote Mindfulness Exercises

Individual resilience is a personal trait. Mindfulness is one mental training technique that can be quite beneficial as it helps a person improve their ability to see their surroundings because how they think significantly impacts how they perceive their surroundings.

Mindfulness training enhances cognitive flexibility, which helps people perform better at work. Empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence can all be enhanced by mindfulness activities. These characteristics lower employee stress, stimulate employee creativity and engagement and foster resiliency, all of which can help organisations perform better.

Set a Good Example.

Strong leaders who can exhibit resilience to their employees may benefit from a workplace that supports resilience. An employee who regularly sees this attribute may benefit from this good example. Consequently, individuals may feel more driven to improve their workplace resilience. 

You may display great leadership abilities and resilience while leading or working with others by creating workplace objectives, tackling problems confidently, and managing stress constructively.

Consider Resilience Training.

Offering resilience training in the workplace through an employee wellness program can educate you and your team on how to manage stress healthily, tackle obstacles professionally, and return to work after a difficult period. 

Look for expert speakers who can inspire and educate your team about resilience, or have your colleagues and team members prepare presentations on how they employ this talent at work. Make sure to highlight the resilience, its importance at work, and how team members may develop it throughout the training.

Identify Your Employees’ Needs.

When managers recognise their team members' needs and challenges, they can assist them in developing resilience. It is important to learn about these experiences because resilience aims to help people overcome adversity. 

Managers can help their employees overcome barriers, distractions, or difficulties when they're aware of them. Ask your workers about their problems in questionnaires, and you'll better understand their needs. By gathering the essential facts, you can begin developing strategies for building resilience within the team and maintaining a healthy work environment.

Identify and Accept Flaws.

It is possible for managers to help their teams recognise and accept mistakes and challenges in the workplace by admitting shortcomings. As a result of this strategy, workers may be able to develop resilience during times of difficulty. 

Employees can be motivated by their dissatisfaction when managers encourage them to learn from their mistakes. It allows people to learn from their failures and grow so they can succeed in the future. Self-resilience can also be developed in the workplace through employee wellness initiative.

Incentivise Volunteers

People are able to stretch themselves and reach beyond their comfort zones by volunteering at work. In order to build resilience, individuals might take on new initiatives or jobs that are challenging. 

Managers and team leaders may be more willing to encourage employees to take advantage of changes when they offer incentives. It may be appropriate for managers to give volunteers an extra day of paid time off so they can take charge of a project and create a schedule.

^In today's fast-paced work environment, corporate wellness programs often prioritize self-care to combat stress, burnout, and mental health issues. However, an emphasis on self-care might not be the ultimate solution for employee well-being. 

Instead, organizations should consider adopting a collective approach to wellness, fostering connections and support among team members.

Embracing the Collective Approach to Wellness

Moving beyond the individualistic mindset requires a paradigm shift in how we perceive and address workplace challenges. By reframing adversity as a shared experience, employees can strengthen their connections and work together to overcome obstacles. This approach allows team members to pool their resources, learn from one another, and develop novel strategies, creating a more resilient and supportive work environment.

One effective way to implement this mindset is by introducing "relational pauses" into the workplace. A relational pause is a temporary break from task work in which team members are invited to discuss how their work affects them personally. This exercise aims to facilitate genuine and authentic connections among employees, allowing them to support one another better and collectively navigate the challenges they face.

Uncovering the Power of "Struggling Well" as a Team

When adversity is framed as a collective experience, employees can relate to one another more effectively, leading to increased compassion and empathy. Sharing personal experiences allows team members to see each other in a more nuanced light, revealing both strengths and weaknesses. This openness fosters an environment where individuals can grow, learn, and lean on one another during challenging times.

Discussing emotions helps disperse overwhelming feelings and enables employees to make sense of their experiences. As teams practice relational pauses, they become more aware of their own dynamics and can make deliberate choices about how they interact with one another. This self-awareness and intentionality can lead to a more cohesive, empathetic, and supportive team environment.

Practical Ways to Incorporate Relational Pauses into the Workplace

Here are some suggestions on how to integrate relational pauses into your organization:

• Make it a regular part of team meetings: Encourage team members to share their thoughts and feelings during status meetings. This will help normalize the practice and create a supportive atmosphere where employees feel comfortable opening up.

• Respond to escalating emotions: If tensions rise during a meeting or project, take a moment to pause and focus on the emotional dynamics at play. Encourage team members to share their feelings and listen empathetically to one another.

• Develop loss rituals: In situations where employees face significant setbacks or losses, create rituals that enable emotions to be acknowledged and processed. Sharing experiences and emotions helps build resilience and fosters a sense of shared purpose.

• Incorporate relational pauses into existing wellness initiatives: Use existing wellness programs as a platform for introducing relational pauses. Focusing on work's emotional realities can make these initiatives more meaningful and impactful.

Case Studies: Successful Implementation of Relational Pauses

1. Redemptive Design Associates

Redemptive Design Associates, a design consultancy specializing in repurposing office spaces, has successfully integrated relational pauses into their workflow. 

After failed pitches, the team takes a moment to discuss their emotions and experiences, allowing them to process their frustrations, sadness, and hopefulness together, and fostering a supportive and understanding environment.

2. Palliative Care Unit

A palliative care unit in a large hospital has implemented a routine for discussing feelings after a patient's passing. By sharing their emotions, the staff members can better cope with their grief and support one another during difficult times.

3. Pacific Life Re's "Tea & Talk" Meetings

The London office of Pacific Life Re holds informal "Tea & Talk" meetings, where employees come together to discuss topics of shared concern. These gatherings, hosted by a wellness champion, have no fixed agenda, encouraging participants to share their thoughts and feelings in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.

Embracing Emotions at Work

It's not uncommon for managers to hesitate when it comes to discussing emotions at work. However, smart leaders understand that embracing emotional openness can lead to improved communication, resilience, and teamwork. Encouraging employees to discuss and collectively work through challenges creates a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.

By fostering a culture of open communication, employees can build stronger connections with their colleagues and better understand each other's perspectives. This promotes a sense of shared purpose, improving collaboration and helping the team navigate adversity together.

Closing Thoughts

As organizations continue to evolve, it is crucial to reevaluate our approach to corporate wellness. We can create a more supportive and resilient work environment by shifting the focus from self-care to collective well-being.

Fostering genuine connections among employees should be at the heart of modern corporate wellness initiatives. By embracing relational pauses and collective well-being, organizations can empower their employees to thrive together, leading to a more resilient, empathetic, and supportive work culture.