When your resilience is high, even the most challenging tasks can seem effortless. But when resilience is low, even the simplest tasks can feel overwhelming. For example, at the 2024 Paris Olympics, under immense pressure, Mondo Duplantis broke the pole vault world record yet again, demonstrating that when resilience is high it can drive peak performance. In contrast, during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles faced significant mental health challenges, including the 'twisties.' Resilience was low during this time and she under-achieved. However, this adversity helped build her resilience with time and dedication and, by the 2024 Paris Games, she returned stronger than ever, winning three gold medals.
This connection between resilience and performance is clearly visible in Olympians, but it’s just as relevant to managers in the workplace.
Many managers are promoted based on experience and knowledge but often without proper training in the ‘people’ skills. This can create challenges: How do you manage friends who now report to you? How do you redefine those relationships? These challenges can significantly impact a manager's resilience and, consequently, their performance. However, the first time a manager has a tough conversation with a member of their team about the impact of their behaviour for example, they start to build that resilience.
Simone Biles’ coach mastered the balance between being a manager and a friend, knowing when to offer support and when to push for performance. After her victory, Simone ran to her coach to celebrate, showing the deep appreciation for that balanced approach.
Top tips for managers when resilience is low:
1. If you’re not in the right mental space as a leader, it’s not the right time for a challenging conversation.
2. When resilience is low, procrastination can set in – look for opportunities to delegate. This not only eases your burden but also helps develop your team.
3. It's not just about your mental health - be mindful of your team’s well-being as well. Stay receptive and supportive.
Need help?
If you’d like to know more, or perhaps need help developing resilience in managers, please get in touch. You can email us at info@acceleratorsolutions.com or call 0845 260 6886.
