The Covid-19 pandemic is not yet over, but the light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter, and with it, the various silver linings of this exceptionally dark period are coming into view. One of special prominence is the newfound resiliency in the workplace that many have developed in response to the unique hurdles they have had to face. A look at a recent poll conducted by the Hoffman Center—wherein participants were asked what they have learned from the pandemic— reveals much about the drivers of this resiliency, and how you can make it a daily practice of your own.
Among the many replies received in the poll, those most relevant to resiliency at work include:
- Having discovered the importance of solitude, silence, and reflection
- Recognition that a spiritual foundation is vital
- Appreciation of life’s precious nature
- Renewed awareness that family and love are the priority
- Clarity concerning the interconnectedness of all creatures
- Understanding that purpose is crucial
- Awareness of the importance of slowing down
Clearly, these answers cover a lot of ground, demonstrating both that the silver linings of the Covid-19 pandemic are numerous, and that resiliency comes from diverse places. Nonetheless, a comprehensive view of the many lessons people have learned from the pandemic reveals that all of the above can be distilled down to three simple practices which return dividends in their ability to foster resiliency in the workplace.
How to be More Resilient in Three Simple Steps
In some sense or other, all the lessons cited in the Hoffman Center poll can be understood as driven by one of the three practices described below.
1. Observe Life’s Transitory Nature
However “new-age hippie” it may sound, acknowledging life’s transitory nature is a powerful tool. Covid-19 has taught that us that change can arrive without warning and, further, has shown that pushing back gets you nowhere. Learning to observe and accept this makes enduring unwanted change a less daunting prospect. Further, it allows you to focus on those things you can affect which, in both life and work, is an important gain.
2. Protect Your Purpose and Your Values
Throughout the pandemic, people have needed stability above all else (except health, of course). When they haven’t found it in outside circumstances, they have turned inward and those with strong values and a sense of purpose have endured. In a sense, this is a refrain of the age-old lesson to focus not on what happens, but on how you respond to it. After all, it’s only the latter that you can control.
3. Nurture Your Relationships
No one has weathered the Covid-19 pandemic without rediscovering the importance of loving connection. This fact is reflected in the responses to the Hoffman Center poll, and in nearly every experiential report on the pandemic. Human beings not only thrive, but also depend upon connection. This is as true in professional as in personal contexts, and for this reason, making relationships a central focus will drive resiliency in both domains.
To learn more about the important lessons the Covid-19 has provided concerning building resiliency at work or to simply address how to be more resilient in general, reach out to Hiring & Empowering founder Molly McGrath. And for those really ready to take the plunge, consider enrolling in Hiring & Empowering’s 66-Day Law Firm Turnaround Program where you and your team will learn about nurturing resiliency, and so much more!
