A resilient leader is one who, by definition, bounces back from difficult experiences. In my role as an executive coach to corporate leaders, I often find myself discussing workplace resilience. More specifically, how effective leaders must plan for a healthy work environment by focusing on the positive aspects of their business and upcoming changes, while ensuring that others have mapped out a resilience plan of action as well. Three questions should be answered by today’s leaders: Are you resilient? Are you a role model for others to be resilient? Are you leading a resilient organization?

A resilience action plan for employees is often formulated after a meeting with a mentor or coach. A coach must be an optimistic role model who:

• has a vested interest in the employee’s success;
• must discuss the employee’s strengths and character qualities;
• takes care to build a professional relationship;
• creates a safe environment where employees can ask for, and receive, guidance;
• supports development without evaluating; and
• provides the appropriate feedback to allow the employee to learn, change, and develop.

More importantly, a coach who is a resilient leader must maintain an open dialog with all employees to discuss anticipated changes within the organization, as well as future expectations for individuals’ roles within the company.

Being an effective change leader is a way to demonstrate resilient leadership. I often say that leading a change process is paramount to taking a journey through a new country to place not yet seen. Resilient leaders must redefine opportunities for themselves and help others to use their abilities to improve upon their newly created roles and responsibilities within the change process. The responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of today’s leaders to ask the difficult questions and challenge complacent thinking. Once these questions have been asked, a resilient leader will be able to discover the people with the right talent, and mentor, coach, and support them through the process of change. Are you a resilient leader?

For more information about resilient leadership, or to schedule a web workshop on Resilient Leadership, call Gatto Associates at (412) 344-2277, or email Jeff Cermak, Marketing Director, at Jeff@rexgatto.com.