BUILDING RESILIENCE
Learning how to make falling down and getting back up again one action.
Our whole system is being shaken - we are facing resilience questions in relation to ourselves: our livelihoods; the economy; environment; social stability; and political approaches. We know unerringly that people need people. One of our partners, The International Bateson Institute, expressed this beautifully: “ The more contact, interaction, interconnection, interdependence you are entwined in—the healthier, happier and safer you are.’”
Learning how to keep learning whilst navigating uncertainty is the foundation of sustaining our resilience. Those for whom that is possible know how to look after themselves and do. They are prepared and ready to support others. But for many of us this isn’t the experience. We see isolation as risky: we seek interaction; we create structures to provide security; and when our structures break down, we feel vulnerable.
What can help?
Create rich virtual connection points – effective facilitated spaces for individuals or teams to relate to each other, allowing the connections, stories, needs and responses to unfold.
Equip people to cope who don’t feel ready, are feeling overwhelmed, and are not even sure where to begin. Lasting change doesn’t come quickly. It is important to provide ongoing approaches that build new ways of coping over time.
Find and develop bridges - people who can link, support and co-ordinate: who can facilitate others to find answers for themselves; shape more bespoke responses that are flexible, innovative and needs based.
Strengthen your internal support systems – develop an internal coaching provision.
Enable teams to function and collaborate in the most challenging of circumstances. Find team coaches who can work with high levels of uncertainty and unpredictability – it makes a tangible difference to managing the unknown. Develop practical strategies to be great at virtual teaming.
Shape virtual services - mindful that technology will enable us to continue our relationship with our clients and communities, and at the same time bring challenges. Experiment and prototype to enable a more resilient future to emerge.
Join a support network of like -minded and differently minded peers.
Provide counselling and bereavement support to help people grieve and discover the first tentative steps towards healing. The grieving won‘t only be about our family and friends, it will be far wider as we learn to let go of aspects of our life and work we have held core to who we are.
Communicate well - clearly, frequently, with warmth and in ways that reflect your values.
To return to the five phases of Navigating Uncertainty click here