February 17, 2025 • 24 mins
Discover the transformative power of resilience with Robert Flowers, author of "From Setback to Comeback: Finding Your Strength in Tough Times." Join our conversation as we unpack the real essence of resilience, moving beyond the simple act of bouncing back to embracing growth and adaptability in the face of challenges. We delve into the science behind this vital skill, including the fascinating concept of neuroplasticity, which highlights our brain's incredible ability to adapt and strengthen under stress.
Get inspired by real-world stories and case studies that illustrate how businesses not only survive but thrive by embedding resilience into their organizational culture. We'll explore practical strategies for building resilience at both the individual and organizational level, emphasizing the importance of psychological safety, open communication, and fostering a culture of continuous learning. Learn how mindfulness and meditation can empower individuals to manage stress and emotions effectively, creating a more adaptable and innovative workplace environment.
Lastly, we'll explore how cultivating a growth mindset can revolutionize your approach to setbacks, transforming them into opportunities for growth. With insights from Robert Flowers' book, we highlight the importance of having a clear purpose to guide you through tough times, aligning teams around shared values, and embracing the resilience-building journey. Remember, resilience is not just a personal trait; it's a skill that can be nurtured within organizations, leading to a more robust, adaptable, and united team ready to face any challenge.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey everyone and welcome to a deep dive on
something super important,especially if you're in the
business world.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Resilience.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Right, resilience, yeah, and speaking of resilience
, yeah.
Perfect timing, because RobertFlowers oh yeah.
Has this new book coming outnext week, called From Setback
to Comeback Finding yourStrength in Tough Times, and
we'll link to that in the shownotes.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
So this deep dive kind of gives you a sneak peek.
Yeah, that in the show notes,absolutely so this deep dive
kind of gives you a sneak peekyeah, it's a great overview into
what the book's all about.
Yeah, we're going to unpack thewhat, the why and the how of
resilience and, I think, one ofthe most fascinating things
definitely got to talk about ishow your brain can actually
rewire itself to be moreresilient yeah isn't that wild
(00:43):
neuroplasticity it's incredible,and we've also got the
difference between perseveranceand resilience, which people mix
up all the time.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
They do.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
And then we've got real world examples of
businesses that just totallyrocked it thanks to their
resilience.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Right, yeah.
So let's start with the basics.
What even is resilience?
It's not just about bouncingback, right.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
So it's not like a rubber band just snapping back
to its original shape.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
No, not at all.
It's about growth andadaptation.
You know, if you think about itlike if a company gets hit by a
massive economic downturn, theycould just, you know, try to
survive.
But what if they use that tobecome stronger, develop new
strategies, become more flexible?
That's what resilience lookslike in action.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
So it's about using those challenges to really level
up.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Exactly, and that's why it's so important for you
guys listening, whether you'redealing with you know a tough
market, or leading a teamthrough change, or just wanting
to handle anything life throwsat you.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Right Like having those tools in your back pocket.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Now this is where it gets really cool the science
behind all this.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Like we've got mind blowing stuff from neuroscience
and psychology that really showshow resilience actually works.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Yeah, it's fascinating how it all comes
together the psychological stuff, the neurological stuff, even
environmental factors.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Right.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
They all play a part.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
And one thing that really blew my mind oh tell me
Was this idea of brainplasticity.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Our brains can actually rewire themselves based
on what we go through.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
That's right, it's amazing.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Isn't that insane.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
It is.
It just goes to show howadaptable the human brain is
Right.
Think about it Every time youface a challenge and work
through it.
You're basically giving yourbrain a workout.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
You're strengthening its ability to handle stress and
adapt to tough situations downthe road.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
So basically, facing challenges can actually make us
more resilient.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
That's the idea.
The more you work that mentalmuscle, the better you'll handle
whatever comes your way in yourwork and in your personal life.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
That's such a relief to hear.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
It is, it's encouraging.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
Okay, now here's something that always trips
people up.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
The difference between resilience and
perseverance.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Oh yeah, they seem similar on the surface, but
there's a key difference.
Right, there is, and it's areally common mix-up.
I like to use an analogy toexplain it.
Imagine a runner who onlytrains on flat ground.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
They might have amazing perseverance putting in
hours and hours of training.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Right right.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
But what happens when they face a course with hills
or rough terrain?
Speaker 1 (03:12):
I'm guessing they hit a wall.
They're not prepared for that.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Exactly.
They haven't developed theskills to adapt.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
You see, resilience is like having that steering
wheel that allows you tonavigate those unexpected turns,
while perseverance is theengine pushing you forward.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
So in the business, world knowing when to push
harder.
Uh-huh, Perseverance.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Right Perseverance versus when to change direction.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Resilience Could be the difference between
succeeding and failing.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Absolutely, and that decision making is heavily
influenced by certain mentaltraits that resilient people
tend to have.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Like what kind of traits are we talking about here
?
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Well, emotional regulation is a big one.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
You know, imagine a leader staying completely calm
under pressure during a hugenegotiation Right.
Or an entrepreneur who, youknow, faces a major setback but
just calmly assesses thesituation and comes up with a
new plan.
That's emotional regulation inaction.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
So it's not letting your emotions kind of hijack.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Exactly.
You're not letting them controlyou, right?
And then there's cognitiveflexibility, okay, being able to
shift your thinking, seeproblems from different angles
and come up with creativesolutions, right.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Think about a company facing falling sales figures,
but they managed to successfullypivot to a new market hmm, that
adaptability is pure gold so weneed that emotional regulation
to stay calm, right, and thenthat cognitive flexibility yeah
adapt and find solutions exactly, and the best part is, these
aren't things you're just bornwith oh, that's good they're
(04:42):
skills you can develop withpractice.
That's encouraging to hear.
I'm really curious to learnmore about how our brains are
actually involved in all of this.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
What about the biological side of resilience?
Speaker 2 (04:54):
That's where neuroplasticity comes in.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Just like physical exercise strengthens your
muscles, mental exercises andchallenges can strengthen your
brain's ability to handle stress.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
So we can actually train our brains to be more
resilient.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
You got it.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Is it really that simple?
Speaker 2 (05:07):
In a way, yes, a big part of that training involves
building healthy stress responsesystems, because stress isn't
always a bad thing, right?
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Right.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
It's how you manage it that matters.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
So learning to manage stress effectively could
actually help me make betterdecisions when things get crazy
at work.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Exactly when you're not overwhelmed by stress, you
can think more clearly and makemore rational choices.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
So there's a benefit for my work and for my personal
life.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Absolutely, and there's a bonus.
Resilience isn't just good foryour mental game, it can
actually improve your physicalhealth too.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Really yeah.
What kind of physical benefitsare we talking about?
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Well, studies have shown that resilient people tend
to be healthier overall.
They have a lower risk ofstress-related illnesses and
they recover from setbacksfaster, both physically and
emotionally.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
So building resilience is good for business
and good for my health.
It's a win-win.
It is a win-win.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
And what's really cool is that it's an ongoing
process.
You know every challenge youovercome, every lesson you learn
adds to your overall resilience.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Okay, so we've defined resilience, we've
explored the science behind it,we've looked at those
psychological and biologicalfactors.
But how does all of this playout in the real world of
business?
Speaker 2 (06:24):
That's where case studies come in.
They show us how resilienceworks in action and give us
practical insights we can learnfrom.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
And we've got two great case studies from the
source material.
Company X and A& GlobalConsulting.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Let's start with Company X.
It's interesting about them ishow their existing resilience
plan and adaptable culturehelped them navigate the crazy
challenges of the COVID-19pandemic.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
So they were already prepared.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
In a way For a major disruption.
They had a business continuityplan in place and their
leadership had fostered aculture that valued agility and
quick decision making.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
What kind of things did they actually do when the
pandemic hit?
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Well, they immediately activated their
business continuity plan.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Which included shifting most of their employees
to remote work Right.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
They also prioritized clear and consistent
communication, both internallyand with their customers.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
So they were really on top of it.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
They were.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Did they have to make any changes to how they ran
their business or their overallstrategies?
Speaker 1 (07:19):
They did.
They recognized that theyneeded to diversify their supply
chain to avoid relying too muchon any single source.
They also ramped up theirdigital capabilities to better
serve customers in a virtualworld.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
So they weren't just reacting to the crisis.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
No.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
They were taking action and adapting their
strategies to make sure theycould survive in the long term.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
That's right.
That proactive approach is ahallmark of resilient businesses
.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Now let's talk about Englobal Consulting.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Their approach to resilience seems to be all about
collaboration and putting thecustomer first.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
That's a good observation.
They really focus on helpingbusinesses develop comprehensive
resilience strategies thatcover everything from risk
assessment to engaging withstakeholders.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
So they're not just advising businesses on how to
survive a crisis.
They're actually helping thembuild a foundation for long-term
resilience.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
They understand that resilience isn't a one-time fix.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Right.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
It's an ongoing process of planning, adapting
and evolving.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
And it sounds like they really emphasize that
collaboration piece.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
They do.
They believe that businessescan't face challenges alone.
You know, building strongrelationships with stakeholders,
including customers, suppliers,even competitors, could be a
huge source of support andresilience.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
That makes sense.
It aligns with the idea thatresilience isn't just an
individual trait, right.
It's something that can befostered at the organizational
level as well.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Absolutely.
A resilient business is builton shared values, strong
relationships and a culture thatembraces change and continuous
learning.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
So we've looked at two very different companies.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
But both have achieved success through
resilience, just in differentways.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
That's a really important point there's no
one-size-fits-all blueprint forresilience.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Right.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
The specific strategies and approaches that
work best will depend on theindustry, the size of the
company and the specificchallenges they face.
But what we can learn from bothof these case studies is that
resilience isn't some magicalquality that some businesses
have and others don't.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
It comes from making deliberate choices, planning
ahead and committing to aculture that sees challenges as
opportunities for growth.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
It's a mindset shift.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
And speaking of learning from others, remember
that Robert Flower's new book iscoming out next week.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
That's right From Setback to Comeback, Finding
your Strength in Tough Times.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
That's a great title.
It is I'm definitely addingthat to my reading list.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Me too.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
We'll be right back after a quick word from our
sponsors.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
So we were just talking about these companies
that used resilience to reallythrive.
But let's shift gears and getpractical.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
What can our listeners actually do to build
up their own resilience muscles?
Speaker 1 (10:01):
That's what I'm really interested in.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
We've talked about what resilience is and why it's
important, but now I want toknow how.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Right how to make it happen.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
One of the most basic but powerful strategies is
mindfulness, and this is aboutbeing super aware of the present
moment, without judgment.
You're observing your thoughts,your feelings and even your
physical sensations, withoutgetting swept away by them.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
That sounds pretty simple, but how does that
actually make you more resilient?
Speaker 2 (10:33):
Well, mindfulness gives you this ability to detach
from negative thoughts andemotions.
So, instead of getting totallyoverwhelmed, you can just
observe those feelings withoutletting them control you, and
that creates space for clearthinking, even when things are
super stressful.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
Think about how valuable that could be in a
tough business negotiation orwhen you're dealing with a
difficult client.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
So instead of getting caught up in the drama of a
challenging situation, yeah.
Mindfulness helps you staygrounded.
Exactly, and keep things inperspective.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
It's about recognizing that thoughts and
emotions come and go.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Right.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
They're not always a true reflection of reality, and
when you develop this awareness,you can actually choose how to
respond to situations, insteadof just reacting on impulse.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Okay, so are there specific mindfulness techniques
that are particularly helpfulfor building resilience?
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Oh yeah, there are tons.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
I've heard a lot about meditation lately.
Is that something that can help?
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Meditation is a great one.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
It involves focusing on your breath or a specific
object to quiet the mind andincrease your self-awareness.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
And even just a few minutes of meditation every day
can make a big difference in howyou regulate your emotions and
handle stress.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
So, besides meditation, what are some other
things people can do?
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Well, you can practice mindful breathing
exercises anywhere, anytime,right, just focus on the feeling
of each inhale and exhale.
It's super simple, but it canreally calm your nervous system
and reduce anxiety.
Another great technique is bodyscan meditation, where you
bring your attention todifferent parts of your body and
notice any sensations ortension.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Interesting.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
This helps you connect with your physical self
and promotes relaxation.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
And this ties back to what we were talking about
before.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
It does.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
About the brain rewiring itself Right.
All of this can actuallycontribute to that brain
plasticity.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Exactly, literally, rewiring your brain for greater
resilience.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Those all sound like things I could actually fit into
my day.
But resilience isn't just aboutthose individual practices,
right?
Speaker 2 (12:33):
You're right, it's not.
It's also about fosteringresilience at the organizational
level.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
Okay.
So how do we do that?
How do we build a resilientworkplace culture?
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Well, a key part of that is promoting psychological
safety.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
Okay, what does that mean?
Speaker 2 (12:47):
It's about creating an environment where people feel
comfortable speaking up,sharing ideas and even admitting
mistakes without fear ofgetting in trouble.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
That sounds like it could lead to a lot more
innovation.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
It definitely does.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
If people feel safe to share their ideas, they're
probably more likely to come upwith creative solutions and take
risks.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Exactly when people feel safe to express themselves,
they're more likely tocontribute their unique
perspectives, experiment withnew ideas and be open to
feedback, and that open exchangeis essential for problem
solving and adaptability, whichare both critical for a
resilient organization.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
So, imagine a team where everyone feels comfortable
challenging the way things aredone and brainstorming new
approaches, even if thoseapproaches seem unconventional.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
That's the kind of environment where innovation
thrives.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
So how do leaders actually create that sense of
psychological safety?
That's a great question Withintheir teams.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
What are some specific things they can do?
Speaker 2 (13:46):
It starts with leading by example Leaders who
are willing to acknowledge theirown vulnerabilities.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Admit mistakes and encourage constructive feedback.
Right, they create a culturewhere it's okay to not be
perfect.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
I never thought about it that way.
Yeah, it seems counterintuitivethat admitting weakness could
actually make a team stronger.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
But it's true.
Vulnerability is a keyingredient in building trust and
connection, when a leader showsthat it's okay to not have all
the answers and to make mistakes.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
It creates a safe space for others to be open and
honest as well, and that fostersa culture of learning and
growth, where setbacks are seenas opportunities for improvement
.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Right.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
Not as reasons to blame someone.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
It's like in Robert Flower's book From.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Setback to Comeback, exactly.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
It's about embracing those setbacks and using them as
fuel Right To learn and grow.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
That's the idea.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
So leading by example is crucial.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
But are there other things leaders can do?
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Oh, there are tons of things.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
To promote psychological safety.
What about things like activelistening?
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Oh yeah, Active listening is huge.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
And encouraging feedback.
That's important too.
Ok, so tell me more about that.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Well, when a leader really listens to their
employees' concerns ideas andfeedback, it shows respect and
makes people feel valued, andthat encourages open
communication and creates asense of shared ownership which
is so important when it comes totackling challenges and finding
solutions together as a team.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
So it's not just about receiving feedback,
gracefully.
It's about actively seeking itout Exactly.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Leaders who regularly ask for feedback from their
team members and who thenactually act on that feedback.
They're sending a clear messagethat your opinions matter and
I'm committed to creating anenvironment where you feel
comfortable sharing them.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
So it sounds like creating a resilient workplace
culture is really all aboutempowering people to be their
best selves, without beingafraid to make mistakes or to
speak their minds.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Absolutely.
It's about creating that senseof shared purpose where everyone
feels valued and supported andworking towards a common goal,
and that sense of belonging andshared responsibility that's a
powerful driver of resiliencefor individuals and for the
organization as a whole.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
All this talk about psychological safety and shared
purpose makes me think about theimportance of company culture.
Do you think there's aconnection between a company's
culture?
Oh absolutely, and its abilityto be resilient.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
There's a strong connection.
A company with a culture thatvalues openness, collaboration
and learning from mistakes isgoing to be way more resilient
than a company with a culture offear, blame and rigidity.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
So in a resilient culture, people are encouraged
to experiment, to take risks andto view setbacks as
opportunities for growth.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Exactly, and that kind of mindset is essential for
navigating the inevitablechallenges that come with
running a business in today'sworld.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
This has been so helpful.
We've explored so manypractical techniques.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
We have.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
From individual mindfulness practices to these
organizational strategies.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
For promoting psychological safety.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
I bet our listeners are starting to see how they can
apply these insights to theirown lives and workplaces.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
I hope so, and remember building resilience is
an ongoing journey.
It's about continuouslylearning, adapting and refining
your approach based on yourexperiences.
The key is to start somewhere,no matter how small the step.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Just like building physical fitness.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Consistency is key when it comes to building
resilience.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Okay, so before we move on, I want to touch on
something that comes up a lot indiscussions about resilience.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
The role of setbacks and failures.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
Oh yeah, that's important.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
We always hear that failure is a necessary part of
success, but how does thatactually relate to resilience?
Speaker 2 (17:39):
Well resilient individuals and organizations
view setbacks and failures notas endpoints but as valuable
learning opportunities.
They recognize that mistakesare inevitable, but it's how you
respond to those mistakes thatreally matters.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
So it's not about trying to avoid failure
altogether.
It's about changing how youthink about it.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Exactly.
Instead of seeing failure as asign of weakness or incompetence
, resilient people see it as avaluable feedback.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
So they ask themselves what can I learn from
this experience?
How can I use this setback toimprove my approach in the
future?
Speaker 2 (18:14):
That's exactly it.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
So it's about turning a negative experience into a
positive learning opportunity.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Exactly, and that shift in perspective is
essential for developing agrowth mindset, which is a key
characteristic of resilientpeople.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
Speaking of growth mindset, can you remind us what
that means?
Speaker 2 (18:30):
Sure.
A growth mindset is the beliefthat our abilities and
intelligence aren't fixed, butcan be developed through effort,
learning and persistence.
People with a growth mindsetembrace challenges.
They see them as opportunitiesto stretch their abilities and
expand their knowledge.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
So, instead of seeing a difficult task as something
they can't do, they see it as achance to learn and grow.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Exactly they view obstacles not as roadblocks, but
as stepping stones on theirpath to development.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
Okay, so how can we actually cultivate a growth
mindset, both for ourselves andwithin our teams?
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Well, it starts with becoming aware of our own fixed
mindset beliefs.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Those limiting beliefs we hold about ourselves
and our abilities.
You know things like I'm notgood at math or I'm not a
creative person.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Right, we all have those.
Yeah, we all do To some extentTo some extent.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
And once you've identified those beliefs, you
can start to challenge them bylooking for evidence to the
contrary.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
So if someone believes they're not good at
math, they could remindthemselves of times when they've
actually been successful atsolving math problems Right or
when they've learned newmathematical concepts.
So it's about actively lookingfor evidence that contradicts
those limiting beliefs.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Exactly, and by doing that you can start to chip away
at those negative beliefs andreplace them with more
empowering ones.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
And this shift in mindset isn't just beneficial
for individuals.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
No, it's not.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
It can really impact organizations as a whole.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Absolutely.
A company that fosters a growthmindset among its employees is
going to be more innovative,adaptable and resilient in the
face of challenges.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
That makes sense.
If your employees areconstantly seeking out new
learning opportunities andaren't afraid to experiment and
take risks, your company isgoing to be much better equipped
to handle whatever comes itsway, that willingness to
experiment and learn frommistakes.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
that's what drives progress and innovation, which
are both essential for long-termsuccess in today's world.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
This discussion has been so enlightening.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
It has been fun.
Speaker 1 (20:32):
We've explored so many facets of resilience, from
the biological and psychologicalunderpinnings to practical
techniques and strategies forbuilding it, both individually
and organizationally.
We even talked about howimportant it is to change our
perspective on failure andcultivate a growth mindset.
I'm sure our listeners arewalking away with a ton of
(20:52):
valuable insights.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
I hope so.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
And remember building resilience is a journey, not a
destination.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
It's a continuous process of learning, adapting
and evolving.
Exactly, and it's a journeyworth taking.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
We'll be right back to wrap up our exploration of
resilience.
Okay, so we've been talkingabout all these great tools and
techniques for buildingresilience.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
But I'm wondering if there's something deeper,
something that really fuels thatresilience.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Yeah, right, there is .
Speaker 1 (21:22):
Something that keeps us going when things get tough.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
And it's something we haven't really talked to
directly yet.
What's?
Speaker 1 (21:28):
that.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
Purpose?
Ok.
Having a clear sense of purposeis like having a compass that
guides you through difficulttimes.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
So, when you know why you're doing what you're doing,
yeah.
It gives you that meaning andmotivation to overcome
challenges.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
It's like having that North Star to guide you even
when you're lost at sea.
Speaker 1 (21:45):
I like that analogy, yeah, and in the business world
a strong sense of purpose can beso powerful.
Absolutely For building thatresilience within an
organization.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
It brings everyone together.
Speaker 1 (21:57):
So when everyone in the company is aligned around a
shared mission, right and a setof values, it creates a feeling
of unity and collective purpose.
That can help them weather anystorm.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
Exactly and come out stronger on the other side.
Speaker 1 (22:11):
So it's not just about having a fancy mission
statement.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
No, I'm not.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Hanging on the wall.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
It's about really living and breathing that
purpose.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
In every aspect of the company.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
In every decision you make, every action you take.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
It needs to be woven into the fabric of the company
so when employees feel thatstrong connection to the
company's purpose yeah they'remore likely to be engaged,
motivated and resilient moreresilient when things get tough
they're not just showing up fora paycheck right they're showing
up to make a difference exactly, and that sense of mission can
be so powerful yeah forindividuals and organizations.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
It's what gives you that strength to keep going when
things get tough.
Yeah, it fuels your passion andkeeps you focused on the bigger
picture.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
So, as we wrap up this deep dive into resilience,
I'd love to hear any finalthoughts you have for our
listeners, sure, what are somekey takeaways they should keep
in mind as they continue on thisjourney?
Speaker 2 (23:06):
Well, I think, first and foremost, remember that
resilience isn't somethingyou're born with.
It's a skill you can developover time with consistent effort
and practice Right.
Just like building physicalstrength takes time and
dedication, so does buildingmental and emotional resilience.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
And it's a journey, not a destination.
Exactly, there will always besetbacks and challenges along
the way, but how you respond tothose challenges is what defines
your resilience.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
It's about embracing the ups and downs and using them
as opportunities to learn andgrow.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
And you don't have to go it alone.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Building a support system, whether it's colleagues,
mentors, friends, can provideinvaluable guidance and
encouragement along the way.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Surround yourself with people who believe in you.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
Right.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
And who can offer support when you need it most.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
And speaking of support and guidance.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
Don't forget about Robert Flower's new book.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
That's right From setback to comeback, finding
your strength in tough times.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
It's a fantastic resource for anyone who wants to
dive deeper.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Packed with practical insights and strategies.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
This deep dive into resilience has been incredible.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
It has.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
We've explored the science, the psychology.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
The real world applications.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
Of this essential skill.
Yeah, I hope our listeners feelinspired and empowered to take
action and start building theirown resilience.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
One step at a time.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
Exactly one step at a time.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
And be kind to yourself along the way.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Oh, that's so important.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
Celebrate your successes, learn from your
setbacks and never underestimateyour incredible capacity for
growth and adaptation.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
Resilience is a journey, not a race.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
Well said.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
And it's one we can all take together.
Until next time, keep divingdeep and keep building your
resilience.
Hey everyone and welcome to a deep dive on
something super important,especially if you're in the
business world.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Resilience.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Right, resilience, yeah, and speaking of resilience
, yeah.
Perfect timing, because RobertFlowers oh yeah.
Has this new book coming outnext week, called From Setback
to Comeback Finding yourStrength in Tough Times, and
we'll link to that in the shownotes.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
So this deep dive kind of gives you a sneak peek.
Yeah, that in the show notes,absolutely so this deep dive
kind of gives you a sneak peekyeah, it's a great overview into
what the book's all about.
Yeah, we're going to unpack thewhat, the why and the how of
resilience and, I think, one ofthe most fascinating things
definitely got to talk about ishow your brain can actually
rewire itself to be moreresilient yeah isn't that wild
(00:43):
neuroplasticity it's incredible,and we've also got the
difference between perseveranceand resilience, which people mix
up all the time.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
They do.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
And then we've got real world examples of
businesses that just totallyrocked it thanks to their
resilience.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Right, yeah.
So let's start with the basics.
What even is resilience?
It's not just about bouncingback, right.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
So it's not like a rubber band just snapping back
to its original shape.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
No, not at all.
It's about growth andadaptation.
You know, if you think about itlike if a company gets hit by a
massive economic downturn, theycould just, you know, try to
survive.
But what if they use that tobecome stronger, develop new
strategies, become more flexible?
That's what resilience lookslike in action.
Speaker 1 (01:25):
So it's about using those challenges to really level
up.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Exactly, and that's why it's so important for you
guys listening, whether you'redealing with you know a tough
market, or leading a teamthrough change, or just wanting
to handle anything life throwsat you.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Right Like having those tools in your back pocket.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Now this is where it gets really cool the science
behind all this.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Like we've got mind blowing stuff from neuroscience
and psychology that really showshow resilience actually works.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Yeah, it's fascinating how it all comes
together the psychological stuff, the neurological stuff, even
environmental factors.
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Right.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
They all play a part.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
And one thing that really blew my mind oh tell me
Was this idea of brainplasticity.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Our brains can actually rewire themselves based
on what we go through.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
That's right, it's amazing.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Isn't that insane.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
It is.
It just goes to show howadaptable the human brain is
Right.
Think about it Every time youface a challenge and work
through it.
You're basically giving yourbrain a workout.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
You're strengthening its ability to handle stress and
adapt to tough situations downthe road.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
So basically, facing challenges can actually make us
more resilient.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
That's the idea.
The more you work that mentalmuscle, the better you'll handle
whatever comes your way in yourwork and in your personal life.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
That's such a relief to hear.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
It is, it's encouraging.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
Okay, now here's something that always trips
people up.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
The difference between resilience and
perseverance.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Oh yeah, they seem similar on the surface, but
there's a key difference.
Right, there is, and it's areally common mix-up.
I like to use an analogy toexplain it.
Imagine a runner who onlytrains on flat ground.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
They might have amazing perseverance putting in
hours and hours of training.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Right right.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
But what happens when they face a course with hills
or rough terrain?
Speaker 1 (03:12):
I'm guessing they hit a wall.
They're not prepared for that.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
Exactly.
They haven't developed theskills to adapt.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
You see, resilience is like having that steering
wheel that allows you tonavigate those unexpected turns,
while perseverance is theengine pushing you forward.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
So in the business, world knowing when to push
harder.
Uh-huh, Perseverance.
Speaker 1 (03:31):
Right Perseverance versus when to change direction.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Resilience Could be the difference between
succeeding and failing.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Absolutely, and that decision making is heavily
influenced by certain mentaltraits that resilient people
tend to have.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Like what kind of traits are we talking about here
?
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Well, emotional regulation is a big one.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
You know, imagine a leader staying completely calm
under pressure during a hugenegotiation Right.
Or an entrepreneur who, youknow, faces a major setback but
just calmly assesses thesituation and comes up with a
new plan.
That's emotional regulation inaction.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
So it's not letting your emotions kind of hijack.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Exactly.
You're not letting them controlyou, right?
And then there's cognitiveflexibility, okay, being able to
shift your thinking, seeproblems from different angles
and come up with creativesolutions, right.
Speaker 1 (04:21):
Think about a company facing falling sales figures,
but they managed to successfullypivot to a new market hmm, that
adaptability is pure gold so weneed that emotional regulation
to stay calm, right, and thenthat cognitive flexibility yeah
adapt and find solutions exactly, and the best part is, these
aren't things you're just bornwith oh, that's good they're
(04:42):
skills you can develop withpractice.
That's encouraging to hear.
I'm really curious to learnmore about how our brains are
actually involved in all of this.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
What about the biological side of resilience?
Speaker 2 (04:54):
That's where neuroplasticity comes in.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Just like physical exercise strengthens your
muscles, mental exercises andchallenges can strengthen your
brain's ability to handle stress.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
So we can actually train our brains to be more
resilient.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
You got it.
Speaker 1 (05:06):
Is it really that simple?
Speaker 2 (05:07):
In a way, yes, a big part of that training involves
building healthy stress responsesystems, because stress isn't
always a bad thing, right?
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Right.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
It's how you manage it that matters.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
So learning to manage stress effectively could
actually help me make betterdecisions when things get crazy
at work.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Exactly when you're not overwhelmed by stress, you
can think more clearly and makemore rational choices.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
So there's a benefit for my work and for my personal
life.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Absolutely, and there's a bonus.
Resilience isn't just good foryour mental game, it can
actually improve your physicalhealth too.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Really yeah.
What kind of physical benefitsare we talking about?
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Well, studies have shown that resilient people tend
to be healthier overall.
They have a lower risk ofstress-related illnesses and
they recover from setbacksfaster, both physically and
emotionally.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
So building resilience is good for business
and good for my health.
It's a win-win.
It is a win-win.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
And what's really cool is that it's an ongoing
process.
You know every challenge youovercome, every lesson you learn
adds to your overall resilience.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Okay, so we've defined resilience, we've
explored the science behind it,we've looked at those
psychological and biologicalfactors.
But how does all of this playout in the real world of
business?
Speaker 2 (06:24):
That's where case studies come in.
They show us how resilienceworks in action and give us
practical insights we can learnfrom.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
And we've got two great case studies from the
source material.
Company X and A& GlobalConsulting.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
Let's start with Company X.
It's interesting about them ishow their existing resilience
plan and adaptable culturehelped them navigate the crazy
challenges of the COVID-19pandemic.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
So they were already prepared.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
In a way For a major disruption.
They had a business continuityplan in place and their
leadership had fostered aculture that valued agility and
quick decision making.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
What kind of things did they actually do when the
pandemic hit?
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Well, they immediately activated their
business continuity plan.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
Which included shifting most of their employees
to remote work Right.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
They also prioritized clear and consistent
communication, both internallyand with their customers.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
So they were really on top of it.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
They were.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Did they have to make any changes to how they ran
their business or their overallstrategies?
Speaker 1 (07:19):
They did.
They recognized that theyneeded to diversify their supply
chain to avoid relying too muchon any single source.
They also ramped up theirdigital capabilities to better
serve customers in a virtualworld.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
So they weren't just reacting to the crisis.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
No.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
They were taking action and adapting their
strategies to make sure theycould survive in the long term.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
That's right.
That proactive approach is ahallmark of resilient businesses
.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Now let's talk about Englobal Consulting.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Their approach to resilience seems to be all about
collaboration and putting thecustomer first.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
That's a good observation.
They really focus on helpingbusinesses develop comprehensive
resilience strategies thatcover everything from risk
assessment to engaging withstakeholders.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
So they're not just advising businesses on how to
survive a crisis.
They're actually helping thembuild a foundation for long-term
resilience.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
They understand that resilience isn't a one-time fix.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Right.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
It's an ongoing process of planning, adapting
and evolving.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
And it sounds like they really emphasize that
collaboration piece.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
They do.
They believe that businessescan't face challenges alone.
You know, building strongrelationships with stakeholders,
including customers, suppliers,even competitors, could be a
huge source of support andresilience.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
That makes sense.
It aligns with the idea thatresilience isn't just an
individual trait, right.
It's something that can befostered at the organizational
level as well.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Absolutely.
A resilient business is builton shared values, strong
relationships and a culture thatembraces change and continuous
learning.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
So we've looked at two very different companies.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
But both have achieved success through
resilience, just in differentways.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
That's a really important point there's no
one-size-fits-all blueprint forresilience.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Right.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
The specific strategies and approaches that
work best will depend on theindustry, the size of the
company and the specificchallenges they face.
But what we can learn from bothof these case studies is that
resilience isn't some magicalquality that some businesses
have and others don't.
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Exactly.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
It comes from making deliberate choices, planning
ahead and committing to aculture that sees challenges as
opportunities for growth.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
It's a mindset shift.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
And speaking of learning from others, remember
that Robert Flower's new book iscoming out next week.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
That's right From Setback to Comeback, Finding
your Strength in Tough Times.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
That's a great title.
It is I'm definitely addingthat to my reading list.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Me too.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
We'll be right back after a quick word from our
sponsors.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
So we were just talking about these companies
that used resilience to reallythrive.
But let's shift gears and getpractical.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
What can our listeners actually do to build
up their own resilience muscles?
Speaker 1 (10:01):
That's what I'm really interested in.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
We've talked about what resilience is and why it's
important, but now I want toknow how.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Right how to make it happen.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Exactly.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
One of the most basic but powerful strategies is
mindfulness, and this is aboutbeing super aware of the present
moment, without judgment.
You're observing your thoughts,your feelings and even your
physical sensations, withoutgetting swept away by them.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
That sounds pretty simple, but how does that
actually make you more resilient?
Speaker 2 (10:33):
Well, mindfulness gives you this ability to detach
from negative thoughts andemotions.
So, instead of getting totallyoverwhelmed, you can just
observe those feelings withoutletting them control you, and
that creates space for clearthinking, even when things are
super stressful.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
Think about how valuable that could be in a
tough business negotiation orwhen you're dealing with a
difficult client.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
So instead of getting caught up in the drama of a
challenging situation, yeah.
Mindfulness helps you staygrounded.
Exactly, and keep things inperspective.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
It's about recognizing that thoughts and
emotions come and go.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
Right.
Speaker 2 (11:07):
They're not always a true reflection of reality, and
when you develop this awareness,you can actually choose how to
respond to situations, insteadof just reacting on impulse.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
Okay, so are there specific mindfulness techniques
that are particularly helpfulfor building resilience?
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Oh yeah, there are tons.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
I've heard a lot about meditation lately.
Is that something that can help?
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Meditation is a great one.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
It involves focusing on your breath or a specific
object to quiet the mind andincrease your self-awareness.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
And even just a few minutes of meditation every day
can make a big difference in howyou regulate your emotions and
handle stress.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
So, besides meditation, what are some other
things people can do?
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Well, you can practice mindful breathing
exercises anywhere, anytime,right, just focus on the feeling
of each inhale and exhale.
It's super simple, but it canreally calm your nervous system
and reduce anxiety.
Another great technique is bodyscan meditation, where you
bring your attention todifferent parts of your body and
notice any sensations ortension.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Interesting.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
This helps you connect with your physical self
and promotes relaxation.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
And this ties back to what we were talking about
before.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
It does.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
About the brain rewiring itself Right.
All of this can actuallycontribute to that brain
plasticity.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Exactly, literally, rewiring your brain for greater
resilience.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Those all sound like things I could actually fit into
my day.
But resilience isn't just aboutthose individual practices,
right?
Speaker 2 (12:33):
You're right, it's not.
It's also about fosteringresilience at the organizational
level.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
Okay.
So how do we do that?
How do we build a resilientworkplace culture?
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Well, a key part of that is promoting psychological
safety.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
Okay, what does that mean?
Speaker 2 (12:47):
It's about creating an environment where people feel
comfortable speaking up,sharing ideas and even admitting
mistakes without fear ofgetting in trouble.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
That sounds like it could lead to a lot more
innovation.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
It definitely does.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
If people feel safe to share their ideas, they're
probably more likely to come upwith creative solutions and take
risks.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
Exactly when people feel safe to express themselves,
they're more likely tocontribute their unique
perspectives, experiment withnew ideas and be open to
feedback, and that open exchangeis essential for problem
solving and adaptability, whichare both critical for a
resilient organization.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
So, imagine a team where everyone feels comfortable
challenging the way things aredone and brainstorming new
approaches, even if thoseapproaches seem unconventional.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
That's the kind of environment where innovation
thrives.
Speaker 1 (13:37):
So how do leaders actually create that sense of
psychological safety?
That's a great question Withintheir teams.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
What are some specific things they can do?
Speaker 2 (13:46):
It starts with leading by example Leaders who
are willing to acknowledge theirown vulnerabilities.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
Admit mistakes and encourage constructive feedback.
Right, they create a culturewhere it's okay to not be
perfect.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
I never thought about it that way.
Yeah, it seems counterintuitivethat admitting weakness could
actually make a team stronger.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
But it's true.
Vulnerability is a keyingredient in building trust and
connection, when a leader showsthat it's okay to not have all
the answers and to make mistakes.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
It creates a safe space for others to be open and
honest as well, and that fostersa culture of learning and
growth, where setbacks are seenas opportunities for improvement
.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Right.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
Not as reasons to blame someone.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
It's like in Robert Flower's book From.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Setback to Comeback, exactly.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
It's about embracing those setbacks and using them as
fuel Right To learn and grow.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
That's the idea.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
So leading by example is crucial.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
But are there other things leaders can do?
Speaker 2 (14:45):
Oh, there are tons of things.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
To promote psychological safety.
What about things like activelistening?
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Oh yeah, Active listening is huge.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
And encouraging feedback.
That's important too.
Ok, so tell me more about that.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
Well, when a leader really listens to their
employees' concerns ideas andfeedback, it shows respect and
makes people feel valued, andthat encourages open
communication and creates asense of shared ownership which
is so important when it comes totackling challenges and finding
solutions together as a team.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
So it's not just about receiving feedback,
gracefully.
It's about actively seeking itout Exactly.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
Leaders who regularly ask for feedback from their
team members and who thenactually act on that feedback.
They're sending a clear messagethat your opinions matter and
I'm committed to creating anenvironment where you feel
comfortable sharing them.
Speaker 1 (15:36):
So it sounds like creating a resilient workplace
culture is really all aboutempowering people to be their
best selves, without beingafraid to make mistakes or to
speak their minds.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Absolutely.
It's about creating that senseof shared purpose where everyone
feels valued and supported andworking towards a common goal,
and that sense of belonging andshared responsibility that's a
powerful driver of resiliencefor individuals and for the
organization as a whole.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
All this talk about psychological safety and shared
purpose makes me think about theimportance of company culture.
Do you think there's aconnection between a company's
culture?
Oh absolutely, and its abilityto be resilient.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
There's a strong connection.
A company with a culture thatvalues openness, collaboration
and learning from mistakes isgoing to be way more resilient
than a company with a culture offear, blame and rigidity.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
So in a resilient culture, people are encouraged
to experiment, to take risks andto view setbacks as
opportunities for growth.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Exactly, and that kind of mindset is essential for
navigating the inevitablechallenges that come with
running a business in today'sworld.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
This has been so helpful.
We've explored so manypractical techniques.
Speaker 2 (16:51):
We have.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
From individual mindfulness practices to these
organizational strategies.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
For promoting psychological safety.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:58):
I bet our listeners are starting to see how they can
apply these insights to theirown lives and workplaces.
Speaker 2 (17:03):
I hope so, and remember building resilience is
an ongoing journey.
It's about continuouslylearning, adapting and refining
your approach based on yourexperiences.
The key is to start somewhere,no matter how small the step.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Just like building physical fitness.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
Consistency is key when it comes to building
resilience.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Okay, so before we move on, I want to touch on
something that comes up a lot indiscussions about resilience.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
The role of setbacks and failures.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
Oh yeah, that's important.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
We always hear that failure is a necessary part of
success, but how does thatactually relate to resilience?
Speaker 2 (17:39):
Well resilient individuals and organizations
view setbacks and failures notas endpoints but as valuable
learning opportunities.
They recognize that mistakesare inevitable, but it's how you
respond to those mistakes thatreally matters.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
So it's not about trying to avoid failure
altogether.
It's about changing how youthink about it.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Exactly.
Instead of seeing failure as asign of weakness or incompetence
, resilient people see it as avaluable feedback.
Speaker 1 (18:07):
So they ask themselves what can I learn from
this experience?
How can I use this setback toimprove my approach in the
future?
Speaker 2 (18:14):
That's exactly it.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
So it's about turning a negative experience into a
positive learning opportunity.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Exactly, and that shift in perspective is
essential for developing agrowth mindset, which is a key
characteristic of resilientpeople.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
Speaking of growth mindset, can you remind us what
that means?
Speaker 2 (18:30):
Sure.
A growth mindset is the beliefthat our abilities and
intelligence aren't fixed, butcan be developed through effort,
learning and persistence.
People with a growth mindsetembrace challenges.
They see them as opportunitiesto stretch their abilities and
expand their knowledge.
Speaker 1 (18:47):
So, instead of seeing a difficult task as something
they can't do, they see it as achance to learn and grow.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Exactly they view obstacles not as roadblocks, but
as stepping stones on theirpath to development.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
Okay, so how can we actually cultivate a growth
mindset, both for ourselves andwithin our teams?
Speaker 2 (19:07):
Well, it starts with becoming aware of our own fixed
mindset beliefs.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Those limiting beliefs we hold about ourselves
and our abilities.
You know things like I'm notgood at math or I'm not a
creative person.
Speaker 1 (19:19):
Right, we all have those.
Yeah, we all do To some extentTo some extent.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
And once you've identified those beliefs, you
can start to challenge them bylooking for evidence to the
contrary.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
So if someone believes they're not good at
math, they could remindthemselves of times when they've
actually been successful atsolving math problems Right or
when they've learned newmathematical concepts.
So it's about actively lookingfor evidence that contradicts
those limiting beliefs.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Exactly, and by doing that you can start to chip away
at those negative beliefs andreplace them with more
empowering ones.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
And this shift in mindset isn't just beneficial
for individuals.
Speaker 2 (19:53):
No, it's not.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
It can really impact organizations as a whole.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Absolutely.
A company that fosters a growthmindset among its employees is
going to be more innovative,adaptable and resilient in the
face of challenges.
Speaker 1 (20:07):
That makes sense.
If your employees areconstantly seeking out new
learning opportunities andaren't afraid to experiment and
take risks, your company isgoing to be much better equipped
to handle whatever comes itsway, that willingness to
experiment and learn frommistakes.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
that's what drives progress and innovation, which
are both essential for long-termsuccess in today's world.
Speaker 1 (20:29):
This discussion has been so enlightening.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
It has been fun.
Speaker 1 (20:32):
We've explored so many facets of resilience, from
the biological and psychologicalunderpinnings to practical
techniques and strategies forbuilding it, both individually
and organizationally.
We even talked about howimportant it is to change our
perspective on failure andcultivate a growth mindset.
I'm sure our listeners arewalking away with a ton of
(20:52):
valuable insights.
Speaker 2 (20:54):
I hope so.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
And remember building resilience is a journey, not a
destination.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
It's a continuous process of learning, adapting
and evolving.
Exactly, and it's a journeyworth taking.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
We'll be right back to wrap up our exploration of
resilience.
Okay, so we've been talkingabout all these great tools and
techniques for buildingresilience.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (21:16):
But I'm wondering if there's something deeper,
something that really fuels thatresilience.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Yeah, right, there is .
Speaker 1 (21:22):
Something that keeps us going when things get tough.
Speaker 2 (21:25):
And it's something we haven't really talked to
directly yet.
What's?
Speaker 1 (21:28):
that.
Speaker 2 (21:28):
Purpose?
Ok.
Having a clear sense of purposeis like having a compass that
guides you through difficulttimes.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
So, when you know why you're doing what you're doing,
yeah.
It gives you that meaning andmotivation to overcome
challenges.
Speaker 2 (21:41):
It's like having that North Star to guide you even
when you're lost at sea.
Speaker 1 (21:45):
I like that analogy, yeah, and in the business world
a strong sense of purpose can beso powerful.
Absolutely For building thatresilience within an
organization.
Speaker 2 (21:56):
It brings everyone together.
Speaker 1 (21:57):
So when everyone in the company is aligned around a
shared mission, right and a setof values, it creates a feeling
of unity and collective purpose.
That can help them weather anystorm.
Speaker 2 (22:08):
Exactly and come out stronger on the other side.
Speaker 1 (22:11):
So it's not just about having a fancy mission
statement.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
No, I'm not.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
Hanging on the wall.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
It's about really living and breathing that
purpose.
Speaker 1 (22:18):
In every aspect of the company.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
In every decision you make, every action you take.
Speaker 1 (22:22):
It needs to be woven into the fabric of the company
so when employees feel thatstrong connection to the
company's purpose yeah they'remore likely to be engaged,
motivated and resilient moreresilient when things get tough
they're not just showing up fora paycheck right they're showing
up to make a difference exactly, and that sense of mission can
be so powerful yeah forindividuals and organizations.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
It's what gives you that strength to keep going when
things get tough.
Yeah, it fuels your passion andkeeps you focused on the bigger
picture.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
So, as we wrap up this deep dive into resilience,
I'd love to hear any finalthoughts you have for our
listeners, sure, what are somekey takeaways they should keep
in mind as they continue on thisjourney?
Speaker 2 (23:06):
Well, I think, first and foremost, remember that
resilience isn't somethingyou're born with.
It's a skill you can developover time with consistent effort
and practice Right.
Just like building physicalstrength takes time and
dedication, so does buildingmental and emotional resilience.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
And it's a journey, not a destination.
Exactly, there will always besetbacks and challenges along
the way, but how you respond tothose challenges is what defines
your resilience.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
It's about embracing the ups and downs and using them
as opportunities to learn andgrow.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
And you don't have to go it alone.
Speaker 2 (23:43):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Building a support system, whether it's colleagues,
mentors, friends, can provideinvaluable guidance and
encouragement along the way.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Surround yourself with people who believe in you.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
Right.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
And who can offer support when you need it most.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
And speaking of support and guidance.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
Don't forget about Robert Flower's new book.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
That's right From setback to comeback, finding
your strength in tough times.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
It's a fantastic resource for anyone who wants to
dive deeper.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Packed with practical insights and strategies.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
This deep dive into resilience has been incredible.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
It has.
Speaker 1 (24:17):
We've explored the science, the psychology.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:20):
The real world applications.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
Of this essential skill.
Yeah, I hope our listeners feelinspired and empowered to take
action and start building theirown resilience.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
One step at a time.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
Exactly one step at a time.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
And be kind to yourself along the way.
Speaker 1 (24:34):
Oh, that's so important.
Speaker 2 (24:36):
Celebrate your successes, learn from your
setbacks and never underestimateyour incredible capacity for
growth and adaptation.
Speaker 1 (24:44):
Resilience is a journey, not a race.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
Well said.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
And it's one we can all take together.
Until next time, keep divingdeep and keep building your
resilience.
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