Leading With Resiliency During Times of Challenge

Over the past few years, each of us has faced incredible challenges and daunting uncertainties. While we watched the pandemic and other events unfold, many of us felt the weight of the world on our shoulders. As we tried to maintain a sense of normalcy, there’s likely not a single person who didn’t experience loss, grief, anxiety or loneliness.

I believe the greatest lessons often come during times of immense challenge. For me, the importance of maintaining a resilient mindset has been reinforced over and over. Resilience is defined by the Center for Creative Leadership as “our ability to respond adaptively to challenges. It’s what helps us get back up again, stronger, after meeting life’s hurdles, disappointments and failures.”

In the past few years, my family and I experienced loss that took a heavy emotional toll on us. Staying resilient during this time was not easy, but it enabled me to carry out the responsibilities of my job and continue to make a remarkable impact on patient lives, while also taking care of myself and supporting the needs of those around me. It has led to me rethinking the importance of resilience as it pertains to leadership.

It’s so important for leaders to make business decisions that drive success. At the same time, as a resilient leader in challenging times, we must prioritize our people by making decisions about what is best for the personal well-being of colleagues. Leaders must be able to listen, to stay open to all points of view, so we can be there to support the diverse needs of our people.

To rise above challenging circumstances, it takes tremendous strength and courage. At AbbVie, we see this time and time again with our patients—in health challenges and trying circumstances, many find a way to remain resilient, strong and courageous. Resilience is a powerful mindset—and the more we build and hone that skill, the easier it becomes to conquer any challenge life throws our way.

Over the past couple years, I’ve been working on developing four skills to remain resilient, and I’ve encouraged my U.S. Commercial team to do the same. Together, we challenge ourselves to maintain an adaptable mindset that helps us not only meet the needs of our patients but exceed them.

1)?????Stay grounded in what you do and why you do it.

Ground yourself in your purpose – for me, that’s the impact we make at AbbVie when we position patients as our North Star. When personal and professional responsibilities seem endless, having a purpose in mind can make it easier to remain focused and committed to our goals. It helps us to find meaning in the good and bad days and look to the future, no matter what the realities of the current situation may be.

?2)?????Take time for yourself.

Challenging times can take a toll on our mental, emotional and physical well-being. AbbVie’s Chief Human Resource Officer Tim Richmond emphasizes the importance of finding an activity that fuels us so we can be at our best for others and stay resilient, on the ?#GetHired podcast. It’s critical to find time to decompress, whether that’s using time off, getting connected in your community, having a conversation with a colleague after a meeting, taking a short walk around the office or even pausing between tasks to complete a breathing exercise. I personally enjoy taking time during the workday to learn about the personal lives of my U.S. Commercial colleagues. By managing our health, we are better equipped to be resilient and maintain focus on the task at hand and, ultimately, do right by the patient.

?3)?????Ask for support from colleagues. ?

Resiliency isn’t about covering up what’s hard and trying to look like we have it all together. It’s quite the opposite. When we share more and ask for the support we need, it can help us build bonds with our colleagues and get through things together. Good teams support one another – and I’m so grateful for my AbbVie U.S. Commercial colleagues that support me each day.

?4)?????Be proactive.

As we’ve all experienced, staying resilient amid adversity is no simple feat. It can feel easier at times to give up in the face of setbacks and roadblocks—or ignore the problems in front of us until they become too large to manage. When life seems overwhelming, step back and honestly evaluate what you need to and can accomplish. Then, make an action plan to keep you on track. Small steps can lead to great improvements.

?As we look to the future, it’s important to carry these hard-earned lessons with us to stay resilient, no matter what comes our way.?