Building Resilience: Skills for Thriving at Work.

Resilience is a word often used in the workplace.

It isn’t about “putting up with” whatever gets thrown at you, it’s about adapting, recovering, and even finding ways to grow when things get tough.

In today’s workplaces, pressures can come from many directions: changes in staffing, increasing workloads, bullying, or personal challenges outside of work.

Building resilience can protect your mental health, help you keep perspective, and make your work more rewarding.

Resilience also benefits everyone around you. Colleagues with higher resilience tend to be more adaptable, better problem-solvers, and less likely to burn out. Those qualities can strengthen whole teams and workplaces and can be learnt by you.

Below is some guidance from the WEU in how you can use resilience to your advantage in the workplace:

A useful way to think about it is the 7 Cs of Resilience. Each “C” is a building block for a personal resilience toolkit:

1.     Competence, Know your skills.

Take stock of what you do well. Think about your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and workplace know-how. Knowing your strengths gives you confidence when facing new situations. If you see gaps, look for training, mentoring, or on-the-job experience to build them.

2.     Confidence, Trust yourself.

Confidence grows from experience. Remember the challenges you have overcome before. Set yourself small, manageable challenges that take you out of your comfort zone. Each success, however small, builds belief that you can handle more.

3.     Connection, Rely on your network.

We are stronger with support. Build and maintain relationships with colleagues, friends, and family who you can turn to for advice, encouragement, or just a listening ear. Offer help as well as asking for it. Resilience is strengthened by mutual trust.

4.     Character, Know your values.

When times are tough, your values are your compass. Being clear on what matters most to you. Fairness, teamwork, safety, professionalism these all help you make decisions you can stand by. This clarity also makes it easier to forgive yourself when things don’t go as planned.

5.     Contribution, Find your purpose.

Link what you do each day to something bigger, whether that’s providing a vital service, supporting your team, or improving your community. Purpose makes hard days more bearable and keeps you going when things are difficult.

6.     Coping, Manage stress.

Healthy coping strategies such as walking at lunch, breathing exercises, keeping clear work-life boundaries, or talking things through. These help you recover from daily pressures. Build these habits before you are under intense stress so they’re ready when you need them.

7.     Control, Focus where you can make a difference.

Some things you can change, some you can’t. Direct your energy to the actions, choices, and behaviours within your control, and let go of the rest. This avoids wasted energy and leaves you better prepared for challenges.

Why Building resilience is important.

Resilience helps you adapt to change, solve problems, work well with others, and protect your wellbeing. It’s a skill that benefits you, your colleagues, and your workplace. By building your resilience toolkit, you’re better equipped not only to face challenges but to enjoy your work more along the way.

Stephen Morris, General Secretary of the Workers of England Union said: -

“We want the very best for every one of our members not just in pay and conditions, but in health, confidence, and job satisfaction. Resilience is key to that. It helps you face challenges, keep perspective, and continue to thrive at work and in life.”

Fact Sheet - Resilience at a Glance – (The 7 Cs)

 
1. Competence – Know your skills.

List your strengths and abilities.
Identify any gaps and plan how to fill them.

2. Confidence – Trust yourself.

Recall challenges you’ve already overcome.
Step out of your comfort zone in small ways.

3. Connection – Build your network.

Keep in touch with colleagues, friends, and family.
Give support as well as receiving it.

4. Character – Live your values.

Be clear on what matters most to you.
Let your values guide decisions.

5. Contribution – Know your purpose.

Link daily tasks to a bigger goal or cause.
Remember why your work matters.

6. Coping – Manage stress.

Use healthy habits: exercise, breaks, boundaries, talking things through.
Practice them before stress hits.

7. Control – Focus on what you can change.

Act on what is in your control.
Let go of what is not in your control.