“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo - far more flexible than you’d ever believe at first glance.”
Jodi Picoult
Today, the word “resilience” is very popular, yet many do not fully understand what it truly means or involves. Resilience has emerged as a buzzword across various contexts, reflecting its growing importance in both personal and professional realms.
The foundational roots of resilience are deeply embedded in psychology. This concept first emerged within psychological research, where it was used to describe the remarkable capacity of some individuals to thrive despite experiencing significant adversities and stressors (Masten, 2001). Resilience is defined by two essential elements: the first is the experience of adversity, regardless of the variety of challenging situations or conditions one might encounter, facing some form of adversity is essential for resilience to be demonstrated (Masten, 2001; Vanhove et al., 2016). The second critical aspect of resilience is positive adaptation, which involves the process where an individual or system returns to, or even exceeds, its prior level of functioning or well-being (Masten, 2001).
Psychologists initially focused on understanding how certain traits, social supports (supportive networks of friends, family, and community connections), and coping mechanisms (strategies used to manage stress and emotional challenges) could contribute to an individual’s ability to bounce back from psychological distress and trauma. Over time, this focus on individual fortitude and adaptability expanded beyond the realm of mental health, influencing theories and practices in education, social work, and organizational leadership (Barasa et al., 2018; Van Breda, 2018). The concept has also broadened to encompass a wide array of fields, from environmental science to organizational behavior. This expansion in usage mirrors the increasing complexity of challenges faced in modern times, such as climate change, economic instability, and technological disruptions. As individuals and institutions strive to navigate these uncertainties, resilience has become a crucial attribute, embodying the ability to adapt, recover, and thrive in the face of adversity (Fisher et al., 2019). Its versatile application highlights a universal truth: the capacity to rebound from setbacks is essential for sustained success and well-being in a rapidly changing world. However, its core principles remain grounded in the psychological study of how humans adapt to and overcome challenges.
Why do certain individuals and businesses crumble under stress? What allows others to adapt and ultimately recover? Resilience, a vital quality that determines how individuals navigate the most challenging circumstances, has been demonstrated in diverse settings ranging from historical atrocities to competitive sports. Maurice Vanderpol, a noted figure in psychoanalysis, observed this phenomenon in Holocaust survivors, attributing their ability to endure the horrors of concentration camps to what he described as a “plastic shield”. This metaphorical shield was crucial for their survival, proving more pivotal than education, experience, or training (Coutu, 2002). Similarly, resilience plays a decisive role across various high-pressure environments – whether it is soldiers facing the perils of war, athletes striving for victory in the Olympics, or executives making critical decisions in the boardroom. In each context, resilience emerges not just as a survival mechanism but as a key factor in achieving success and overcoming adversity. This underscores the universal importance of resilience, illustrating its impact on outcomes in life's most demanding challenges.
Developing resilience can be fostered through practices such as maintaining strong social connections, practicing mindfulness, learning from past experiences, and adopting a growth mindset. Resilience offers a multitude of benefits that are crucial for individual, organizational, and community well-being and development. At the individual level, resilience not only enhances job satisfaction and engagement but also promotes overall psychological health, reducing depression and potentially shielding against physical illness (Murden et al., 2018). This capacity to recover and adapt positively enables individuals to seize opportunities even under adverse conditions, fostering growth, creativity, and a reinforced sense of purpose (Hartmann et al., 2020). Moreover, resilience is not merely about bouncing back; it facilitates positive transformations, enhancing one’s fortitude and adaptability (Shin et al., 2012). On a larger scale, resilient communities prove to be stronger, more cohesive, and better prepared to handle future challenges, illustrating resilience as a dynamic and essential aspect of societal progress and organizational survival (Williams et al., 2017).
Resilience is fundamental in enabling individuals to navigate life’s ups and downs more effectively, maintain emotional balance, and pursue a fulfilling life despite the inevitable challenges that arise. This can happen when someone loses their job, resilience helps them cope with the emotional fallout, maintain a positive outlook, and actively seek new employment opportunities, rather than being overwhelmed by despair or financial stress. For individuals facing health challenges, resilience allows them to manage their condition more effectively, adapt to lifestyle changes, and remain hopeful despite the difficulties of treatment and recovery. In the face of relationship issues or breakups, resilient people are able to process emotional pain, learn from the experience, and eventually move forward with strength and optimism, rather than becoming consumed by heartache. Students often face academic pressures and setbacks. Those more resilient can bounce back from poor grades, learn from their mistakes, and continue to pursue their educational goals with renewed effort and improved strategies. Parenting can present unpredictable challenges. Resilient parents can adapt to the evolving needs of their children, manage stress effectively, and model positive coping strategies for their family.
Resilience has become increasingly vital in today’s world due to the complex and rapidly changing nature of modern life. As individuals, communities, and organizations face unprecedented challenges (from global health crises and economic instability to climate change and technological disruptions) the ability to adapt, recover, and thrive after setbacks is more crucial than ever. Resilience enables us to navigate these uncertainties successfully, minimizing stress and maximizing effectiveness. It not only helps in coping with immediate difficulties but also in fostering long-term sustainability and growth. As such, cultivating resilience is essential for ensuring that we can handle future challenges more effectively, making us better equipped to maintain our well-being and advance our goals in a world that is constantly evolving.
Just as bamboo sways gracefully under pressure, hard to snap, resilient individuals navigate life's storms with flexibility and strength, bending but never breaking.
References
Barasa, E., Mbau, R., & Gilson, L. (2018). What is resilience and how can it be nurtured? A systematic review of empirical literature on organizational resilience. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 7(6), 491–503. https://doi.org/10.15171/ijhpm.2018.06
Coutu, D. L. (2002). How resilience works - Harvard Business Review. Harvard Business Review, 80(5), 46.
Fisher, D. M., Ragsdale, J. M., & Fisher, E. C. S. (2019). The Importance of Definitional and Temporal Issues in the Study of Resilience. Applied Psychology, 68(4), 583–620. https://doi.org/10.1111/APPS.12162
Hartmann, S., Weiss, M., Newman, A., & Hoegl, M. (2020). Resilience in the Workplace: A Multilevel Review and Synthesis. Applied Psychology, 69(3), 913–959. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12191
Masten, A. S. (2001). Ordinary magic: Resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 56(3), 227–238. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.227
Murden, F., Bailey, D., Mackenzie, F., Oeppen, R. S., & Brennan, P. A. (2018). The impact and effect of emotional resilience on performance: an overview for surgeons and other healthcare professionals. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 56(9), 786–790. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BJOMS.2018.08.012
Shin, J., Taylor, M. S., & Seo, M. G. (2012). Resources for Change: The relationships of organizational inducements and psychological resilience to employees’ attitudes and behaviors toward organizational change. Academy of Management Journal, 55(3), 727–748. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2010.0325
Van Breda, A. D. (2018). A critical review of resilience theory and its relevance for social work. Social Work (South Africa), 54(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.15270/54-1-611
Vanhove, A. J., Herian, M. N., Perez, A. L. U., Harms, P. D., & Lester, P. B. (2016). Can resilience be developed at work? A meta-analytic review of resilience-building programme effectiveness. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 89(2), 278–307. https://doi.org/10.1111/joop.12123
Williams, T. A., Gruber, D. A., Sutcliffe, K. M., Shepherd, D. A., & Zhao, E. Y. (2017). Organizational response to adversity: Fusing crisis management and resilience research streams. Academy of Management Annals, 11(2), 733–769. https://doi.org/10.5465/annals.2015.0134
