A Recipe for Resilience in Trying Times

For the past six months, I’ve been operating in what feels like a constant state of tension. I'm 16 years into leading social impact work, and I know how to ride the waves. The ups and downs don't scare me anymore. The thing is, these waves are different. They’re coming all at once and they don’t stop.

I don’t think my experience is unique at this moment. No matter where you sit on the political spectrum, it feels like we’re all clinging to life rafts and we've lost sight of the shore. What scares me is the consequences of a never ending state of stress for our psyches, for our children, for our society.?

I’ve been thinking a lot about resilience in this moment, trying to understand how I can rise as a leader to meet the moment for my team and the young people we serve.

So here’s my Recipe for Resilience in Leadership in these trying times:?

1. Put Your Phone Down The noise is deafening, and we’ve all lost control of our attention. Create space every day away from the noise. Put your phone on silent, put it in the other room, or turn the damn thing off. Mental space does wonders to ground the nervous system.?
2. Listen This one has been crucial as we’ve navigated setbacks, crisis, and significant funding cuts over the past six months. Challenges breed innovation, and we must resist the urge to react and respond immediately. Step back, listen, be patient. The answers will come.
3. Wait to Respond Similar to the above, there is so much insecurity right now, and insecurity leads to intense emotions. Don’t respond from a place of emotional intensity. Wait 24-48 hours, no matter how hard it is, then see what matters.?
4. Admit Mistakes Leadership in this moment is incredibly tough, and there is no way you can get it right 100% of the time. Admit when you mess up, own your mistakes, and learn from them. Relationships are built in spaces of vulnerability.
5. Operate from a Place of Opportunity Fear is debilitating to leadership. Caution, intention, and clarity are all important, but fear—especially in moments of crisis or challenge—has no place. Listen to your fears, but don’t let them run the show.
6. Stay true to your values Get clear on what they are. Put them on your wall. Use them as guides across every decision you make. THIS is when it matters most.?
7. Do your best. There’s a tendency in times like this to feel like a failure or to ask, “Why is this happening to me?” It’s not happening to you. It’s just happening, and you choose how you respond. Do your best. It’s truthfully the only thing any of us can do right now.

We are learning in real-time, collectively. And in that learning, I have faith. I am an eternal optimist and believe in people, potential, and the power of experience as the greatest teacher.