In case you missed it, here is the 3-minute talk that ran during last week’s CLM Virtual Conference. As promised, here are exercises that will improve each of the resilience practices.
1. To increase Realistic Optimism.
Risk professionals are especially practiced in assessing best case, worst case, and most likely scenarios. Leverage this skill to assess the current crisis. Whether your concern is economic impact, health concerns, or something else, write down the best, worst, and most likely outcome. By sharing energy between facing reality and holding hope, you are better prepared for all eventualities.
2. Broadening our perspective requires intentionality.
You can perform this alone and working with a team is even better. Try to think of a process or long-held norm that may not exist after COVID-19. What is the replacement process? What if it just disappears? Push yourselves to imagine new realities!
3. Increasing our wellbeing builds resilience and improves happiness.
Building new habits is the only path. First, I recommend focusing on one new habit at a time. Perhaps you want to begin a mindfulness practice or build movement into each day. Spend at least 30 to 90 days on the first habit before moving on. Working with an accountability partner who is also working on these habits will help ensure success.
Increasing personal resilience does not happen overnight, but know it is possible for everyone. I’m here to help you on your journey! Schedule a call with me!
CLM Video Transcription
“Take a deep breath with me. Let it out. How are you doing? Is your employer experiencing a reduction in force? How about clients that look to you for answers, worried about possible COVID-19 lawsuits. It can feel overwhelming, so today I’ll share practices to increase your resilience.
During the 2008 Financial crisis I was leading risk management at Lowe’s. I recall the emotions I felt during a crisis that made a direct hit to Home Improvement. I wondered what this meant for my Company’s future? For my future? Like today, we were glued to the news with feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, but what grounded me was the excitement about what could be after the crisis passed. You see, every time we go through dramatic change, like a crisis or even disruptive advances, our worlds are forever changed. To thrive in the midst of this transformational change requires personal resilience. Following are 3 concepts to build your resilience profile and enable you to navigate change.
The first concept is known as the Stockdale paradox and it’s the idea that during a time of crisis we must maintain both optimism and realistic expectations. Remaining positive is a key to resilience, and if we only use our rose-colored glasses without taking in the facts, we may land in despair. But if we can allow our energy to flow between optimism and cold hard facts, then we are able to remain flexible and tackle what comes our way.
The second approach is to begin thinking more broadly; be open to new ideas. It is important to let go of some long-held assumptions and practices. For example, will our form of greeting ever return to shaking hands?
This mindset shift begins from a place of “I don’t have all the answers”. Darryl Connor uses the term Appreciative Understanding to describes a team environment in which each person opens his or her mind to all possibilities and recognizes the diverse strengths of those around them.
Last and most importantly, know that who you are as a leader originates from within yourself. It’s inside-out work that relies on your personal wellbeing. A few of the critical components of wellbeing are sleep, movement, nurturing relationships, daily mindful breathing, and daily gratitude to name a few.
Self-care is the most unselfish thing we can do for others. It builds our immune systems, enhances our brain function so you make better decisions, reduces depression and anxiety, and so much more.
Okay, this is a lot to absorb in 3 minutes! Connect with me: Valerie W Franco on LinkedIn where I’ll share exercises to improve each of these practices. Let’s keep the conversation going. You’ve got this!”
