Building Resilient Teams

As we navigate the choppy seas of things around us going to pot and trying to live a normal life, fostering resilience is crucial for individual and team success and sustainability.

The world is constantly changing. Nothing stays the same for long. It’s always been this way and it’s likely it will be this way forever. This same is true for business. Things are always changing, people, projects and clients come and go. New technologies come along and disrupt, then go bust. The economy kicks us in shins and runs away at least once or twice a year.

This can have a pretty damning effect on our people as their work, their family life and the world around them is affected by them and they affect those things in turn.

This is why resilience within teams and your people has never been more important. As we navigate the choppy seas of things around us going to pot and trying to live a normal life, fostering resilience is crucial for individual and team success and sustainability.

Resilient teams are like oak trees. Strong roots, tough branches, great for climbing and hiding from Mrs Peabody when you threw mud at her clean laundry drying on the line.

Understanding Workplace Resilience

Workplace resilience is the ability of a team to adapt, recover, and grow in the face of challenges and changes. It's about turning obstacles into opportunities, much like an automatic e-bike or scooter  that adjusts its gears to suit different terrains.

The Pillars of a Resilient Team

• Effective Communication: Clear, transparent communication is the bedrock of resilient teams. It involves actively listening, sharing information openly, and ensuring everyone's voice is heard. Teams that communicate effectively can identify issues quickly, brainstorm solutions collaboratively, and prevent misunderstandings that could lead to conflict.

• Adaptability and Innovation: In an uncertain world, adaptability is key. Resilient teams are those that embrace change rather than resist it. They are quick to pivot strategies, experiment with new ideas, and learn from both successes and failures. This adaptability is fuelled by a culture of innovation where creativity is encouraged and new approaches are welcomed.

• Strong Support Systems: Resilient teams are built on strong interpersonal relationships and a supportive culture. This includes emotional support where team members feel valued and understood, as well as professional support in terms of resources, training, and development opportunities. A supportive environment fosters a sense of belonging and helps teams navigate through tough times together.

Strategies to Build Resilient Teams

• Cultivating a Positive Team Culture: A positive team culture is infectious and can significantly boost morale and wellbeing. This involves recognising and celebrating successes, maintaining an optimistic outlook, and fostering an environment where challenges are seen as opportunities for growth.

• Enhancing Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence plays a critical role in team resilience. Teams that understand and manage their emotions effectively can work through conflicts more constructively and maintain better relationships. Training in emotional intelligence can help team members become more empathetic and responsive to each other's needs.

• Empowering Team Members: Empowerment is about giving team members the autonomy to make decisions and take ownership of their work. This not only boosts their confidence but also encourages them to think creatively and take initiative.

Empowered teams are more invested in their work and are better equipped to handle challenges independently.

Unfortunately, building resilient teams is not an overnight task. It requires consistent effort in fostering open communication, encouraging adaptability, supporting each other, cultivating a positive culture, enhancing emotional intelligence, and empowering team members. None of which on their own are small things and combined, seem like a huge challenge. But don’t undersell yourself or your teams, you’re not starting from scratch. Look around. There’s definitely elements of all those things in your team, or the teams in your organisation. The job now is to identify where those things can be improved upon and what behaviours or patterns might be stopping you. In doing so, teams not only withstand the storms of uncertainty but emerge stronger and more cohesive.

Remember, the journey to resilience is ongoing and ever-evolving. As people professionals, your role in guiding and nurturing this journey is invaluable.

What tips, tricks are practices do you have for creating and building resilient teams?