Pt One of The Workplace Survival Series: - Resilience: The Cornerstone of Growth and Leadership in The Workplace

Last month, we were tasked to deliver a work-readiness program to a group of young and ambitious nationals as part of their on-boarding process. Our workshops are often more experiential, encourages self-reflection and filled with case studies and our own personal stories and experience. During the week, A participant asked me a thought-provoking question: “If you could turn back time to the start of your career, what skills or traits would you prioritize knowing what you know now?”

Reflecting on my career journey, I’ll share 5 skills in this series of articles over the next few weeks that I wish I had known would be instrumental towards my growth and shaping my character as an employee and later as a local entrepreneur. I delve in these skills -among other skills- in more depth, during our work-readiness workshops for newly hired employees stepping into the professional world.

In part one of this series, titled The Workplace Survive and Thrive Guide, I would like to talk about the skill of ‘Resilience’.

Why?

Because I truly believe that it is one trait most young people underestimate its importance, and avoid the various opportunities life presents us with to develop it.

It’s hard. It’s painful. It’s also a lonely experience, you will have to endure and make sense of often on your own.

So, the question I am often asked is: Why should I, as a young professional make it a point to ‘embrace’ what you call ‘character shaping experiences’ if it’s hard?

My answer is simple:

Unless, you expect to inherit AED 100 million, or you are now worth AED 100 million….the truth is, there is no avoiding dealing with adversity and the challenges that are presented to us.

There is no avoiding them if you:

Call yourself a young ambitious professional, and have set for yourself an ambitious career goals.

Just set up your own venture and have your eyes set on a bold dream of making your start up successful.

Consider yourself a ‘leader’ or intend to become one.

You are a woman in a male-dominant industry or workplace, and are determined to grow in your career instead of being sidelined.

Or, if you have AED 100 million in your bank account, and don’t want to lose all that money. In fact, many successful people will tell you—it’s not achieving success that’s the hardest part, it’s staying successful that truly tests your discipline, adaptability, and mindset.

Personally, from taking on jobs such as: Reading through newspapers, collecting newspaper clippings for a PR company, working for a ‘shady’ Timeshare company, working on the trading floor of an international bank, leading my own venture in a highly competitive and sophisticated consultancy industry that is uncommon for locals in the country. Resilience taught me to turn challenges into stepping stones.

I learned the game of office politics, sometimes the hard way. That required a certain type of mental strength.

I learned that I needed to be agile enough to adapt to changes in the workplace, and in the market. Changes that sometimes might be demoralising and frustrating.

I learned -As a matter of fact, I am still learning - how we can be our own worst enemies, and our own best champion during challenging times. This made me appreciate the importance of being self-motivated.

And I learned how to deal and manage difficult people. It is not easy, but it truly is one of the most gratifying skills to possess.

I learned how to deal with the perceptions and stereotypes other more experienced employees held towards me, particularly as a young local employee who was new to the organisations. I developed an appreciation of the skills of cultural sensitivity and cultural intelligence.

The next question often posed to me around the topic of resilience is: How do I embrace these ‘character shaping experiences’ and develop the resilience and mental strength that I might need for the journey ahead?

While the answer can be a lengthy one, and one that i often deliver in our work-readiness workshops through a framework I teach.

Here are two things you can do:

1 - Develop Awareness: Awareness of what is happening around you, and what is happening within you (how you feel, why do you feel a certain way during challenging times)

2- Make a Commitment: Just like a journalist committed to get the full story for a news piece, or a photographer committed to capture that one good shot; commit to developing your character by taking on different shaping experiences, or embracing them as part of the process. The process you will need to endure in order to become the best version of yourself.

One of my favorite qoutes is from one of my favorite motivational speakers Les Brown. I find myself often repeating this quote to myself as a reminder whenever I am dealing with a challenge. That qoute is: Adversity, introduces a man (or a woman) to himself!

Trial by fire, forges a thick skin and a sharp mind. Embracing resilience can transform challenges into stepping stones, shaping the leader you deserve to become.

#Resilience #GrowthMindsetowthMindset #Youthempowered #TalentManagement #Leadership #Emiratisation