In this article, we’ll explore 10 benefits of resilience in the workplace and how strengthening this skill can positively impact both employees and organizations.
In today’s fast-paced business world, resilience has become a vital skill for employees in any industry.
Resilience can be defined as the ability to adapt to change and overcome obstacles, and it is a critical factor in achieving success in the workplace.
The are many benefits to building resilience in the workplace, and they can have a significant impact on an organization’s productivity, employee satisfaction, and bottom line.
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Resilient Employees are More Adaptable
Adaptability is one of the most important benefits of resilience in the workplace.
Across all industries, the only constant is change. As Bob Rosen, Organizational Psychologist, and Bestselling Author says,
“The world is changing faster than our ability to adapt. Adapting quickly is the catalyst for high performance.”
When employees are adaptable they can quickly adjust to new circumstances and unexpected changes.
This skill is particularly relevant in today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving business environment, where change is the only constant.
What happens if employees can’t adapt?
A survey released by the American Psychological Association found that workers experiencing recent or current change were:
- more than twice as likely to report chronic work stress compared with employees who reported no recent, current, or anticipated change (55 percent vs. 22 percent)
- more than four times as likely to report experiencing physical health symptoms at work (34 percent vs. 8 percent).
In addition, working Americans who reported recent or current change were more likely to say they experienced work-life conflict, felt cynical and negative toward others during the workday, and ate or smoked more during the workday than they did outside of work.
But when employees are resilient they can adapt to change quickly and effectively.
They are not easily overwhelmed by unexpected events, and they are able to think on their feet to come up with solutions that can help the organization navigate challenging situations.
Adaptable employees are flexible and open-minded, which allows them to adjust their work style and priorities in response to changing circumstances.
Resilient Employees are Better at Problem-Solving
Resilient employees are able to approach problems and challenges with a creative and analytical mindset.
Obstacles do not deter them, instead, they see them as opportunities to learn and grow.
Resilient employees are skilled at analyzing problems and breaking them down into manageable parts.
They are also adept at coming up with multiple solutions to a single problem, and they are not afraid to experiment with different approaches until they find the best one.
Resilience Leads to Increased Productivity
Resilient employees are able to work efficiently and effectively, even when faced with challenging situations or unexpected obstacles.
When employees are resilient they’re able to maintain a high level of focus and motivation, which allows them to complete tasks quickly and accurately.
Two studies found that hope, optimism, and resilience positively impacted performance, job satisfaction, work happiness, and organizational commitment.
Another study of 2,000 employed individuals found that twice as many workers with low resilience reported 1 to 3 absences in the past month (when compared to highly resilient workers).
When employees are missing work, those who are present have to take on the extra work that’s not getting done.
By teaching employees the skill of resilience, they will be better able to show up to work, stay focused, and successfully reach their goals.
Better Communication in the Workplace
Resilient employees are able to communicate effectively with their colleagues, superiors, and subordinates, even in challenging or stressful situations.
They are able to express themselves clearly and succinctly, and they are also able to listen actively and empathetically.
Resilient employees are able to build strong relationships with their colleagues, which can lead to better teamwork and improved morale.
They are also able to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings more effectively, which can help prevent these issues from escalating and causing further problems down the line.
Resilient Employees Manage Stress Better
The 2022 Stress in America survey revealed that adults reported stress has had an impact on their health.
- 76% of adults reported they had experienced at least one symptom in the last month as a result of stress—such as headache (38%), fatigue (35%), feeling nervous or anxious (34%), and feeling depressed or sad (33%).
- 72% experienced additional symptoms in the last month, including feeling overwhelmed (33%), experiencing changes in sleeping habits (32%), and/or worrying constantly (30%).
By developing resilience skills, employees can learn to manage their stress levels and maintain a healthy work-life balance, which can lead to improved mental health and well-being.
Resilient employees are better able to manage stress and cope with challenges, which can help prevent stress from becoming overwhelming or leading to burnout.
Reduced stress can also have a positive impact on the organization as a whole.
When employees are less stressed, they are less likely to take time off work due to illness or burnout, leading to improved productivity and lower healthcare costs.
Improved Mental Health in the Workplace
Resilient employees are better equipped to manage their emotions and cope with challenging situations, which can help prevent mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
By developing resilience skills, employees can learn to recognize and manage their emotions, maintain a positive outlook, and seek support when needed.
Resilience Leads to Increased Job Satisfaction
In the previously mentioned study, it was found that highly resilient workers had higher job satisfaction. In fact, four times as many highly resilient workers are highly satisfied with their jobs, compared to those with resilience scores in the bottom quartile.
Resilient employees tend to be more satisfied with their jobs, as they are better equipped to deal with challenging situations.
They have the ability to overcome obstacles and find solutions to problems, which can lead to a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in their work.
Resilient employees are also more likely to have a positive outlook on their work and their colleagues.
They are able to manage stress and pressure, which can prevent burnout and improve their overall well-being.
In addition, they are more likely to feel supported by their colleagues and managers, which can contribute to a positive work environment.
Higher Retention Rates Among Resilient Employees
Individuals with low resilience are twice as likely as those with high resilience to quit in the next six months. With turnover costing employers 1.5 to 2 times the amount of the exiting employee’s salary, this is a metric most organizations need to keep their eyes on.
Employees who are resilient are better able to cope with the challenges and demands of their job, which can lead to improved job satisfaction and a greater sense of loyalty and commitment to their organization.
Additionally, resilient employees are more likely to feel valued and supported by their organization, which can lead to a stronger connection to their workplace and a desire to stay long-term.
Resilience Enhances Leadership Skills
Organizations need resilient leaders who can keep calm under pressure and grow in the face of challenges.
Research shows it’s common for leaders to react poorly in high-stress situations. Specifically, 53 percent of leaders become more closed-minded and controlling during times of crisis, instead of open and curious. A further 43 percent become angrier and more heated.
By learning and practicing the skill of emotional resilience, leaders can calm their emotions to help them make more effective decisions. A high level of emotional intelligence is not only the strongest predictor of workplace performance but a trait shared by 90 percent of high-functioning employees.
Leaders are role models. A recent study by Zenger Folkman found that leaders with high levels of resilience are viewed as being more effective by their managers, peers, and direct reports. Strong leadership that promotes cohesive and interdependent teams is a critical component of a resilient organization.
Resilient leaders are better able to handle unexpected challenges, changes, and setbacks. They are better able to evaluate situations objectively and find solutions that work for their team and organization.
Also, resilient leaders are better able to communicate effectively with their team and share their vision and goals with their team and collaborate with team members to achieve them.
They are also able to give and receive feedback constructively, which can lead to improved performance and productivity.
Resilience is a must-have skill for today’s leaders in any organization.
Resilience Leads to Greater Innovation
Resilient employees are better equipped to think creatively and outside the box, which can lead to new ideas and solutions.
They are able to approach problems from different angles and are not afraid to take calculated risks.
This can lead to innovation and growth in the workplace, as new and improved ways of working can be identified and implemented.
Resilient employees are also better able to learn from failures and setbacks.
Rather than becoming discouraged or giving up, they are able to use these experiences to learn and grow.
This can lead to improved processes and ideas, as employees are better able to identify areas for improvement and develop solutions to overcome them.
Additionally, resilient employees are more likely to collaborate and share ideas with their colleagues.
They are not afraid to ask for help or offer assistance to others, which can lead to increased creativity and innovation.
By sharing knowledge and experiences, employees are able to build upon each other’s ideas and develop new and improved ways of working.
Free Download
Download our free guide, “6 Tips to Boost Workplace Resilience” to help your employees become their most resilient selves today!
Conclusion
The benefits of resilience in the workplace cannot be overstated.
By developing resilience skills, employees can increase their ability to adapt to change, solve problems, and communicate effectively with colleagues and managers.
Additionally, a resilient workforce can lead to increased productivity, reduced stress, and higher levels of job satisfaction, which can positively impact the bottom line.
Investing in resilience training and promoting a culture of resilience can help organizations create a more productive and successful workplace.
So, it’s time to start building a more resilient workforce and reap the benefits that come with it.
