Managers: 7 Reasons Why Perseverance and Resilience are Important at Work

I believe, “When you swim in deep water, adjust your strokes to get to the land.”

We have all had times in our lives when we needed to show perseverance, building our resilience at work and in our personal lives. I can think of plenty of times when I was a middle manager. I was living on the opposite side of the world from my family, I had the challenge of being a middle manager for the first time, and I was being pulled by the powers above as well as by my team. I had never managed before. I had to learn strategies to cope, showing tenacity and perseverance.

What do perseverance and resilience actually mean?

The Oxford English dictionary defines perseverance as, the quality of continuing to try to achieve a particular aim despite difficulties.

In other words, the only way to improve is through hard work and dogged perseverance.

The definition of resilience is the ability of people or things to recover quickly after something unpleasant.

Let’s put both these definitions together. Perseverance and resilience are choosing the way we think when adversity arises, so we feel wiser, more confident, and more empowered.

So often we relate this to traumatic situations. It is not only when something huge happens in our life. We need to bounce back when we have daily challenges, as the small challenges can escalate and cause mental ill-health if we don’t address them.

Have you ever stopped doing something you love because it became too difficult?

Why did you stop?

How do you feel about the situation now?

This could be in our personal life as well as our work life. A realisation that our personal life affects our work life is paramount. If something becomes challenging, let’s look at how to change the way we think so we feel empowered to take on any challenge. If we keep persevering and build our resilience, we are more likely to be happier, as we have overcome a challenge.

Here are 7 reasons why you should show perseverance and build resilience as managers:

1)  Role model for the team: By displaying perseverance and resilience, you will inspire your team to tackle challenges and setbacks with a similar mindset. This creates a positive work culture focused on overcoming obstacles.

2)  Problem-solving and decision-making: Perseverance and resilience enable managers to approach problems and make tough decisions with determination. Do not give up easily and persistently seek solutions, even in the face of adversity. As this will encourage your team to do the same.

3)  Handling setbacks and failures: Setbacks and failures are inevitable in any work environment. Managers who demonstrate perseverance and resilience can effectively bounce back from setbacks and learn from failures. They don't let setbacks discourage them but instead use them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

4)  Adaptability to change: In today's constantly changing world, we need to show how adaptable we can be. Our perseverance helps our team embrace change, maintain focus, handle transitions effectively.

5)  Long-term goal achievement: Managers with perseverance and resilience are more likely to stay committed to long-term goals and strategies. They don't get easily discouraged by short-term setbacks or obstacles, but rather maintain their focus on the bigger picture. This determination allows them to drive their teams towards achieving long-term success.

6)  Team motivation and morale: When team members notice their managers persistently working towards goals and overcoming obstacles, it instills a sense of motivation and encourages them to do the same. As the saying goes, ‘Behaviour breeds Behaviour’ because this positive energy contributes to a more engaged and productive team.

Building trust and credibility: When team members observe their manager working through tough situations, they develop confidence in their abilities and trust their decision-making. This fosters open communication and stronger relationships. 

My aim is to help managers in promoting positive mental health and emotional fitness in the workplace. I assist them to open up conversations and intervene early to help their teams on the road to recovery.  

I do this by running Mental Health training in companies. The courses range from Managing Mental Health for Managers, Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Awareness, Having Mental Health Conversations Confidently, Positive Emotional Fitness - Using Preventative Measures in the Workplace.

Visit my website for more information these mental health courses here: www.novaassociates.co.uk/training-and-coaching.  

I also have a YouTube channel and Podcast called Mental Health Chats, where I interview guests from all over the world about different topics around mental health and emotional fitness. These channel and podcast are valuable resource for you and your team.

There are also series that discuss matters from Men’s Mental Health to Suicide to Teens and Young People. Let’s open up conversations and help those in need before it gets out of hand.

Subscribe to my Mental Health Chats YouTube channel or follow my Mental Health Chats Podcast and share with friends and colleagues who may benefit from these programmes.