Resilience (HBR Emotional Intelligence Series)

1. Resilience is about accepting reality, finding meaning, and improvising solutions

Resilient people, they posit, possess three characteristics: a staunch acceptance of reality; a deep belief, often buttressed by strongly held values, that life is meaningful; and an uncanny ability to improvise.

Facing reality. Resilient individuals and organizations have a sober, pragmatic view of their situation. They avoid denial or overly optimistic thinking, instead confronting difficult truths head-on. This allows them to accurately assess challenges and respond effectively.

Finding meaning. Resilient people are able to construct meaning from adversity. They often have strong value systems or a sense of purpose that helps them interpret setbacks as opportunities for growth. This meaning-making allows them to persevere through hardship.

Improvising solutions. The ability to creatively problem-solve with limited resources is key to resilience. Resilient people and organizations are adept at "bricolage" - cobbling together solutions from whatever is available. This improvisational skill allows them to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.

2. Leaders must decide how to fight back after career setbacks

The first decision you will face in responding to a career disaster is the question of whether to confront the situation that brought you down—with an exhausting, expensive, and perhaps embarrassing battle—or to try to put it behind you as quickly as possible, in the hope that no one will notice or remember for long.

Strategic response. Leaders must carefully weigh whether to directly confront the circumstances of their career setback or to move on quickly. This decision depends on:

• The potential damage to reputation
• The likelihood of a successful challenge
• The resources required to fight back
• The opportunity costs of engaging in a battle

Evaluate options. Some leaders benefit from a graceful retreat and fresh start, like Jamie Dimon after leaving Citigroup. Others, like Ariel Sharon, must vigorously defend themselves to preserve future opportunities. The key is to make a calculated decision based on your specific situation and goals.

Focus on the future. Regardless of whether you choose to fight or move on, the ultimate aim should be positioning yourself for future success. Avoid getting mired in battles that won't advance your long-term interests. Keep your focus on rebuilding and creating new opportunities.

3. Rebuilding your network is crucial for career recovery

Whether you fight or tactically retreat for a while, it is essential to engage others right from the start to join your battle to put your career back on track.

Leverage relationships. Close friends and family provide emotional support, but research shows that weak ties and distant acquaintances are often more helpful for finding new opportunities. Cultivate a diverse network that includes both strong and weak connections.

Quality of connections. The strength of your relationships matters more than quantity. Treat others with respect and consideration to build goodwill that can be reciprocated when you need help. Bernie Marcus's success with Home Depot was made possible by the trust he had built with acquaintances who supported him after his firing.

Networking strategies:

• Reconnect with old colleagues and classmates
• Join professional associations and attend industry events
• Offer help and expertise to others to build reciprocal relationships
• Be open about your situation and goals when appropriate

4. Regaining heroic status requires getting your story out

Deposed leaders are often advised to sign nondisparagement agreements. Don't do it. Engage instead in a multitiered campaign to clear your reputation and restore your stature.

Control the narrative. After a career setback, it's crucial to shape public perception by telling your side of the story. Avoid signing agreements that prevent you from speaking out, as this can lead to damaging speculation and make it harder to rebuild your reputation.

Multi-channel approach. Use various platforms to communicate your message:

• Traditional media (press releases, interviews)
• Social media and personal websites
• Public speaking engagements
• Open letters or advertisements in major publications

Martha Stewart's example. After her indictment, Stewart launched a comprehensive campaign to maintain her public image, including:

• Full-page newspaper ads proclaiming her innocence
• A dedicated website to communicate directly with supporters
• Strategic legal statements challenging the government's motives
• This proactive approach helped her maintain public support and eventually rebound stronger than before.

5. Proving your mettle is essential for full career recovery

Showing mettle is not easy. Fallen leaders face many barriers on the path to recovery, not least of which are doubts in their own ability to get back to the top.

Overcome self-doubt. After a career disaster, many leaders struggle with confidence in their abilities. Recognize that these doubts are normal but don't let them hold you back. Focus on your past successes and core competencies to rebuild self-belief.

Take on challenges. The best way to prove your worth is by succeeding in difficult situations. Seek out:

• Turnaround opportunities in struggling organizations
• Leadership roles in start-ups or high-growth ventures
• Consulting projects that showcase your expertise

Mickey Drexler's comeback. After being fired from Gap, Drexler:

• Took a pay cut to lead struggling J.Crew
• Invested his own money in the company
• Applied his merchandising expertise to dramatically improve performance
• Successfully took the company public

This turnaround not only restored Drexler's reputation but demonstrated that his skills remained sharp and valuable.

6. Great leaders find new missions to reignite their passion

It is the single-minded, passionate pursuit of a heroic mission that sets great leaders apart from the general population, and it is what attracts and motivates followers to join them.

Redefine your purpose. When a career setback derails your original mission, it's essential to find a new purpose that reignites your passion and creates meaning in your life. This may involve:

• Applying your skills to a different industry
• Dedicating yourself to a charitable cause
• Pursuing entrepreneurial ventures in a new field

Michael Milken's transformation. After being barred from the securities industry, Milken:

• Redirected his energy to fight prostate cancer after his own diagnosis
• Created a major foundation supporting medical research
• Established an economic research institute
• Transformed his public image from controversial financier to philanthropist

Steve Jobs's reinvention. After leaving Apple, Jobs:

• Founded NeXT Computer and acquired Pixar
• Developed new passions in computer graphics and animation
• Eventually returned to Apple with fresh perspectives and ideas

These examples show how finding a new mission can lead to even greater accomplishments and personal fulfillment.

7. Resilience requires strategic recovery, not constant endurance

The key to resilience is trying really hard, then stopping, recovering, and then trying again.

Redefine toughness. True resilience isn't about pushing through exhaustion. It's about balancing intense effort with strategic recovery periods. This approach is grounded in biology and the concept of homeostasis - the body's ability to maintain internal balance.

Upregulation costs. Constantly pushing yourself to "try hard" requires energy to overcome low arousal levels. This "upregulation" process is exhausting and can lead to burnout if not balanced with recovery time.

Value of recovery:

• Increases in proportion to work demands
• Allows for restoration of mental and physical resources
• Improves overall productivity and performance
• Reduces health and safety risks associated with overwork

8. Overworking undermines resilience and productivity

Overwork and exhaustion are the opposite of resilience.

Hidden costs of overwork:

• $62 billion annual loss in productivity (U.S. estimate)
• 11 days of lost productivity per worker per year
• Increased health and safety problems
• Higher turnover rates

Workaholism epidemic. A Norwegian study found 7.8% of workers qualify as workaholics, defined by:

• Excessive concern about work
• Uncontrollable work motivation
• Work interfering with other important life areas

Technology's role. Constant connectivity through devices often extends working hours and interferes with necessary cognitive recovery time. This can create a cycle of diminishing returns where longer hours lead to decreased productivity.

9. True resilience involves balancing performance with recovery

If you have too much time in the performance zone, you need more time in the recovery zone; otherwise you risk burnout.

Performance-recovery balance. Just as elite athletes carefully manage training and rest cycles, knowledge workers need to balance periods of intense focus with deliberate recovery.

Effective recovery strategies:

• Engage in activities that create mental distance from work
• Prioritize quality sleep and relaxation
• Practice mindfulness or meditation
• Pursue hobbies and interests outside of work
• Spend time in nature or exercise

Organizational implications. Companies should recognize the value of recovery and create cultures that support it:

• Encourage employees to take breaks and use vacation time
• Provide spaces for relaxation or meditation in the office
• Offer flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance
• Train managers to model and promote healthy work habits

By embracing a more nuanced understanding of resilience that includes strategic recovery, both individuals and organizations can improve performance, well-being, and long-term success.

Last updated: October 23, 2024