Here's how you can maintain resilience as a project leader.

Maintaining resilience as a project leader is key. Stay positive, adapt to change, and communicate effectively. Develop emotional intelligence, practice self-care, and seek support when needed. Set realistic goals, learn from failures, and stay organized. Celebrate successes to boost morale. These strategies will help you navigate challenges with confidence and composure.

I agree flexibility is key. Life is ever changing. Conflict and introspection makes people grow if they can be resilient. To be resilient is to be tough — to bounce back and recover quickly from any adversity you encounter. 1- Flexibility: Learn to be strong but as flexible as bamboo or my favorite water. When you view challenges or disruptions as opportunities to fund other paths/doors/solutions, rather than burdens, there is room raising your personal potential as well as your capacity to make positive change. 

Change is the only constant. Fostering a mindset of expecting and welcoming change will help with resilience. When new information is discovered or change in requirements - it can really change your plan! I think being able to let go of that plan, aligning on the new goal, and then creating a new plan. We are just in a world now where things move and change so fast, you have to have the mindset of not getting stuck on something that is no longer working.

In my experience, embracing change is essential for growth. In project delivery, the majority of change that happens in projects occurs for the better. As long as time and cost impacts are correctly dealt with, change does not cause stress. This adaptability not only prepares you for unexpected turns but also positions you as a forward-thinking project leader and one that is focused on achieving maximum value for your clients. I have found it useful to keep a weekly change log and pinpoint the source of the change amongst other aspects that are tracked. People can sometimes rewrite history in their minds and forget where the requested change came from. Have you found this approach effective in your projects?

Know your purpose in its simplest terms so you can draw upon it for motivation or inspiration when the going gets tough. Purpose can be as simple as being the best version of yourself every day to as complex as raising a happy family or solving a major social issue.

I've always found it effective to break projects into manageable milestones. This approach keeps morale high and provides a clear roadmap, helping the team stay resilient in the face of obstacles. The last thing you want is a people pleaser, a yes-man, with a penchant for agreeing to any deadline or request without consulting the team and setting realistic goals. It’s perfectly acceptable to not decide or agree on an ambitious goal or schedule right away without due team consideration. It takes a team to commit to it plus its vital that you can in fact always unfailingly deliver what is promised.

I make sure that everyone on the team has some vested interest in the project. There's always something delightful about having one's ideas included, especially if a team member doesn't explore their creativity often. Make this an opportunity for team members to improve skills they want to master or explore new ways to support the company, increasing their value.

In my opinion, fostering a supportive team environment is crucial. A good project leader has both daily and weekly time for everyone on the team to discuss issues and ideas and concerns. When teammates understand the priorities and feel supported and heard, they form a solid committed team with each new endeavor. This support network is invaluable when challenges arise, providing diverse perspectives and solutions. Has this been your experience as well? Let me know what you think.

Managing stress effectively helps you maintain clarity and make better decisions, setting a positive example for your team. Cut out unnecessary distractions and focus on the most critical path to accomplishing the project. If the team is working late and on weekends it might be acceptable on a unique occasion but chronically overworking the team means the project leader is fooling themselves when setting schedules and managing their client expectations. People won’t work with you again if you don’t eliminate stress that is unwarranted and could have been avoided. If you manage stresses well then on those occasions where extra effort is needed the team will be there to see it through. How do you manage stress in your projects?

Timeboxing, breaks and finding ways to make the work enjoyable is my go-to. I use the Pomodoro method: 25 minutes working, 5 minute breaks and it's 3 rounds. I use the 5-minute break to get up and move. Being locked in your seat with a task can get aggravating. So make time to move and while you work, play some quality tunes to massage your brain. Depending on the vibe of the team, we can plan an outing together to talk about something OTHER than the project.

Just like one reviews old project management files to see strength weaknesses and opportunities seized and missed. Periodically review your past decisions and where they’ve taken you so you can learn from your failures and process your negative emotions about them. It’s also important to take stock of any wins and express gratitude for them. This practice builds momentum for your future success and tends to give energy to whatever it is you focus on. Don’t just do this randomly — actually schedule time for this kind of processing so you can stay in sync with both yourself and the challenges you’re facing