Welcome

The build up to Christmas is a great time as well as stressful time. Getting everyone the presents and the pressure of ensuring that that one day goes according to plan. Not to mention closing out everything from a work point of view too.

Talk about pressure and stress overload. If you are anything like me and in our household then stress levels are extremely high, don’t think of making that joke or someone will be set off and guess what, I do that too many times and arguments and time in rooms alone can be a thing before one of us has to apologise. And the worst part this happens more only because it’s Christmas and we put so much unnecessary stress of the need for perfection rather than stopping and enjoying the day.

And here’s the thing, if we focussed on mental strength and ability to navigate these situations well, guess what? It’ll be a lot easier but more importantly you will be more happier.

Today I want to give you all as leaders some tips and guidance in how to manage the pressure of these things better. One way of doing this is through building emotional resilience.

Let’s jump in…

Why Resilience Matters for Leaders

Last week, we discussed stress as a leader and the importance of managing it effectively. But managing stress is just one part of the equation—true leadership comes from building emotional resilience. Resilience is the ability to adapt, bounce back, and grow stronger in the face of challenges.

In leadership, where uncertainty and pressure are constant, resilience isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Resilient leaders not only protect their own well-being but also create a sense of stability and confidence for their teams.

What Is Emotional Resilience?

Emotional resilience is the capacity to remain composed, adaptable, and optimistic when facing setbacks. It’s not about avoiding challenges—it’s about responding to them with strength and purpose.

For leaders, resilience means staying calm under pressure, maintaining focus in the face of adversity, and inspiring others to do the same. It’s the foundation of effective leadership, especially in high-stakes or uncertain environments.

Habits of Resilient Leaders

Resilient leaders share these key habits:

1. Adaptability:
   They stay flexible and adjust their strategies when circumstances change.
   Example: When a project faces unexpected delays, they pivot to find alternative solutions rather than dwelling on setbacks.

2. Self-Awareness:
   They understand their own emotional triggers and stressors, enabling them to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.

3. Growth Mindset:
   They see challenges as opportunities to learn and improve rather than as insurmountable obstacles.

4. Support-Seeking:
   They recognize when to ask for help, delegate tasks, or lean on their network for advice and guidance.

Strategies for Building Emotional Resilience

For me personally having gone through burnout and places of extreme stress with a new born and then toddler all the while needing to adapt to the new changes in my life as well as leading a team. What I only learnt too late was the need to ensure that I am building resiliency in my day to day. Without building this I know issues will come up and my ability to manage stress is less.

Here are some actionable ways to strengthen your resilience as a leader:

1. Practice Self-Reflection:

   • Set aside time to reflect on challenges and how you handled them. What worked? What didn’t?

   • Journaling can help you identify patterns and learn from past experiences.

2. Develop a Resilience Routine:

   • Prioritize activities that help you recharge, such as mindfulness, exercise, or hobbies.

   • Build consistent habits that keep you grounded during stressful periods.

3. Reframe Challenges:

   • Shift your perspective. Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, view them as opportunities to learn and grow.

   • Ask yourself, “What can I control in this situation?” and focus on those aspects.

4. Lean on Your Network:

   • Surround yourself with trusted mentors, peers, or team members who can offer support and perspective.

   • Open up about challenges—you don’t have to navigate them alone.

5. Celebrate Small Wins:

   • Recognize progress, no matter how small. Celebrating wins reinforces positivity and builds momentum.

How Resilience Impacts Your Team

As a leader, your resilience directly affects your team. When you remain calm and focused during tough times, you set the tone for the entire group. Teams look to their leaders for cues—if you respond to challenges with composure and confidence, your team is more likely to stay grounded and productive.

The one thing I always tell leaders that I coach is you need to ensure that you model the behaviour you want to see your team doing too. Ensure that during difficult times you model this too.

None more important is ensuring you model this with your children and family. I know that I have messed up too many times of either blowing the top in high stress of needing to get out the door to avoid the Christmas traffic on the road, and guess how my children model leaving the house now?

Ways to Model Resilience for Your Team:

• Be transparent about challenges while maintaining a positive outlook.

• Encourage open conversations about stress and support team members in building their own resilience.

• Celebrate progress and remind the team of their ability to overcome obstacles together.

Reflection Questions

To strengthen your resilience, ask yourself:

1. What challenges have I faced recently, and how did I respond to them?

2. What habits or routines help me recover from difficult situations?

3. How can I model resilience and composure for my team?

Book recommendation

Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness by Rick Hanson

Overview:
This insightful book provides practical tools for cultivating resilience by rewiring your brain to focus on positivity, calm, and inner strength. Drawing on neuroscience and psychology, Hanson offers actionable strategies to help you build the mental resources needed to navigate challenges effectively.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Complete the Stress Cycle: Understand that resilience involves not only facing challenges but also fully processing and releasing stress to prevent buildup.

2. Cultivate Positivity: Focus on positive experiences and reinforce them in your brain to build a foundation of calm and confidence.

3. Develop Core Strengths: Strengthen emotional resources like gratitude, compassion, and mindfulness to face challenges with greater ease.

And that’s a wrap for this week.

As we have a countdown to Christmas I hope that you all have time to spend with your families, take a huge amount of time out to re-charge and start to plan how you can ensure that you prioritise you in 2025.

If you can’t look after yourself you definitely won’t be great for your team or your family.

I have some exciting things in plan for 2025 to help leaders and fathers through mental health as well as helping you lead more effectively. Watch this space.

Until then have a great Christmas and happy holiday season.