Why is Resilience Important for Success?

When we think about the skills and training needed to be successful, we tend to think of degree and diploma programs in school, but there’s more to success than that.

These days, the traits and characteristics that set successful people apart are “soft skills” like emotional intelligence, communication, the ability to work as part of a team, and professional resiliency. 

Resilience may not come up as often as the other skills, but being resilient — being able to “bounce back” from challenges and setbacks — is a skill that sets the most successful people apart from the rest.

Resilient People Have Emotional Strength

Resilience all comes down to how well we’re able to adjust to the changes and challenges we face in our lives. In a professional context, resiliency allows you to navigate difficult situations with greater ease.

While others might get hung up on problems or stressful situations, or resist changes they may be experiencing, resilient people adapt quickly and refocus on practical things like controlling their emotions, reactions, and focusing on opportunities to learn and grow.

Resilient People Bounce Back Quickly

Resilience isn’t about accepting defeat, it’s about bouncing back from adversity quickly and easily. When you believe in yourself and your work, and when you’re able to frame challenges as opportunities to grow and learn, you’re able to be solution-focused and move on more quickly.

Like our personal lives, our professional careers will be full of disappointments, big and small. Being able to overcome them and bounce back helps you to move forward in your career by keeping you from ruminating and getting discouraged.

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Resilient People Adjust Well to Changes

If there’s anything that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us, it’s that the world can change quickly and unexpectedly. People who put up roadblocks and are resistant to change will quickly get left behind in today’s fast-paced world.

Developing your resilience helps you adjust to changes, and developing a reputation as someone who adapts well, and as someone who helps others do the same will invariably help your reputation and contribute to your success.

Resilience is Contagious

When someone offers a resilient perspective they become valued members of whatever groups they’re a part of — especially at work.

Resilient people have a way of putting a positive spin on things, and maintaining a lighthearted attitude even when things are difficult. It’s hard to be negative when interacting with someone with a resilient attitude, because the contrast makes the negativity stand out even more than usual.

Being a leader who influences your team in a positive direction is a valuable skill that will be seen by others at work and have a positive impact on your workplace culture.

Start Developing Your Resilience Today

Developing your resilience will help you cope with stress and changes at work and lead by example. This will make you a sought-after leader in your field, and someone who earns the praise and respect of your team and peers.

More research-backed exercises to build your resilience and other important “soft skills” like emotional intelligence in our book “Emotional Intelligence: Your Foundation for Success” — get it on Amazon today!