The importance of "Resilience."

Normally I write about things connected to academia and business. However, today I wanted to reach out to you about the importance of "Resilience." The last eighteen months have been a test for humankind against an enemy that keeps evolving. The impact of COVID-19 has created a perfect storm in how we live, how we work and how we interact day-to-day and how we will move forward.

For me, one of the most important and hidden bi-product of the epidemic has been the impact on everyone's mental health. In my humble opinion, I purposely use the word "everyone" as I do not believe that any demographic has been left untouched by this virus, especially as it mutates.

Therefore, if you follow the argument, it is probable that the underlying resilience of all of us has been affected. Furthermore, if this is the case, it is our responsibility to recognise this and do something about it. As Fred van Amburgh said:

"All the advice in the world will not help you until you help yourself!"

I am not a Doctor, but hopefully, common sense should prevail here. As organisations worldwide start to look at physically returning to work where necessary, I wonder what they are doing to acknowledge and highlight this or will there just be working on the assumption that we are all "good to go".

Also, what about the people who have been physically present through the epidemics, how have they been impacted, and what support will they continually be given into the prevailing months, and I do not just refer to finances here?

I looked at the Oxford dictionary definition of "Resilience", and this is what came back:

• the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
• the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.

After such a period of stretch emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually, simply expecting people to be normal after an abnormal period using the boxing analogy is "leading with the chin". We need to recognise in ourselves that potentially we have all (children through to grand-parents) been touched by this, and we need to permit ourselves to acknowledge this. Employers need to grasp this too and be alive to any provisions that they are going to put in place. Also, with my HR/People hat on, how we bring people back to work safely is of paramount importance, and equally as discussed above, looking after the people who have worked through this all will need to be considered. For example, I have been speaking to some people in Social Services who were not furloughed and have personally felt abandoned by how they have been treated vs the people who were put on furlough. The comment that I had was:

"I no longer want to stay in Social Services, and I should have been simply furloughed, but I chose not to!"

I wonder if other people are feeling the same way and equally how they will be treated next, will undoubtedly inform their decisions about whether they stay in the job they have.

Conclusion

I concede that "Resilience" is just one area that needs to be considered; however, the global bounce-back will be people led. If we fail to consider where our own resilience is, how can we help others? We all have a part to play in this. Simply burying our heads in the sand and using the hopeful strategy will not be good enough. It is time to ask yourself honestly, where is my resilience out of 10 (0 being not great at all, 5 being that I am just ok and 10 being absolutely batteries charged and ready to go!)? Depending on your answer is what you do next, but the fact that you have acknowledged it is a great start. Good luck.