The human element of business

Keywords

Resilience - Volunteering - Perspective - Kindness - Customer Experience - Leadership

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Jessica Osborn, Vice President of Customer Success at GoCardless, shares her personal and professional experiences including her work with UK charities and her role as a mother.

Jessica is an advocate for human-centric leadership and is dedicated to nurturing high-performance teams while fostering individual growth. She is also committed to revolutionising customer experiences worldwide and advocates for the symbiotic relationship between customer success and sustainable business growth.

With a career spanning pivotal roles in global customer success management, Jessica has honed her expertise in aligning business success with compassionate leadership. In this podcast she discusses the importance of customer success, the concept of volunteering, and the benefits of community engagement. She also delves into the significance of resilience, perspective, and kindness in leadership, with a focus on the human element in business and the potential of cross-sector collaborations.

Main topics

•  The importance of perspective and how to achieve it

• Using dissociation as a proactive tool, rather than a traumatic response

• The significance of a loving environment in overcoming adversity

• Finding ways to give back to the community while balancing commitments in the workplace

• The value of team building and community engagement

• The importance of kindness and respect in leadership and team building

• The need for directness and clear communication

 Action points

You can find out more about Jessica at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicareserosborn/

 You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Blind Ambition. From Victim to Visionary.

Keywords

Resilience – Vision Loss – Adaptation – Trust – Communication – Virtual Work Environment – Technological Change

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Chad E Foster talks about his personal experience of losing his vision due to an inherited eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa. He describes how he initially struggled with the loss, exhibiting a victim mentality, but later found solace and a new perspective after meeting and living with people who faced multiple disabilities. He emphasises the transformative impact of this experience, which shifted his attitude towards one of gratitude and appreciation.

Main topics

• Chad's Journey of relearning and adaptation after losing his vision

• Why effective communication is essential for safety and performance

• The challenges and importance of building trust and maintaining team relationships in a virtual work environment

• The need for intentionality in creating micro interactions before, during, and after virtual meetings to foster personal connections and demonstrate care beyond transactional work

• How the differences, including disabilities, can provide unique perspectives and skills, and should be viewed as gifts rather than obstacles

• The growing importance of resilience in the face of rapid technological change

• The five pillars of resilience: adopting a flexible mindset, reframing situations as opportunities, finding meaning in adversity, cultivating a growth mindset, and seeking help when needed

• The significance of cognitive reframing, and the necessity to visualise greatness even in unfavourable circumstances to inspire action and hard work for progress

• The importance of stepping outside one's comfort zone for growth and development

• How pushing through discomfort and terror can lead to expansion of one's comfort zone and improved clarity of thought

• The importance of taking advantage of perceived disadvantages and how every perceived disadvantage offers an advantage if used in the right context

• Overcoming fear by starting small and building up confidence through a series of small victories.

 Action items

 You can find out more about Chad at chadefoster.com

Chad’s book is Blind Ambition: How to Go from Victim to Visionary

You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Flourish in captivity

Keywords

Resilience - Kidnap - Trauma – Change – Challenge – Recovery – Healing – Depression – Stockholm Syndrome

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Gloria Londono shares her traumatic experience of being kidnapped and held in captivity when she was 25 years old and how the experience led her to leave her country and immigrate to the US. Gloria reveals how she developed an attachment to one of her captors due to the Stockholm syndrome and the challenges she faced after her release including a lack of proper support and therapy from her family.

She also recounts her journey seeking employment in the US and talks about the resilience and persistence she needed to apply for 40 jobs before securing a position in a hardware store. She also discusses her subsequent job in a produce company where she overcame language barriers with the help of her manager to improve her communication skills. She eventually started her own business and then met her ex-husband. Together they built a successful company before she decided to leave the company to pursue her interests in coaching and writing.

Gloria's has experienced trauma, depression, and anxiety and she shares the coping mechanisms and tools she used to manage her symptoms, including journaling and therapy. She also talks about how writing her book, "Flourish in Captivity," about her traumatic experiences and journey towards healing, was a significant part of her recovery process.

Action items

You can find out more about Gloria at https://www.glorialondono.co/ Her memoir is Flourish In Captivity and she also has her own podcast, The Unbreakable Life with Glory, which offers audiences seeking healing and peace a blueprint for growth, forgiveness, gratitude, and hope.

 You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Creating new solutions for burnout

Keywords

Resilience - Burnout - Retreats - Mindfulness - Wellness - Self-discovery - ROI

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Max Schneider from Sand and Salt Escapes shares his experience of burnout and how it led him to create a solution to help others going through similar issues. He discusses how he initially struggled to recognise and address his burnout, explaining that his high-achieving and competitive nature led him to push through physical and emotional signs of exhaustion. A significant turning point came when he developed shingles at 27, a symptom he now recognises as a warning sign of burnout.

During a trip to Costa Rica, Max realised he needed to make a change and when Max and his wife returned from their trip, they left their jobs and started a process of self-discovery. He realised that his own behaviours and mindsets, rather than external factors, led to his burnout and took responsibility for his actions and sought therapy to understand his brain's wiring and learn how to manage it. He also found mindfulness and meditation helpful tools to prevent future burnout. This experience led him to create something to assist others who are experiencing disconnection, loss of identity, or burnout.

 Main topics

•  The rising issue of burnout in many cultures and the potential solutions

• The importance of self-reflection, therapy, and mindfulness

• The cultural pressure in organisations that often fuel burnout

• The value and challenges of implementing workplace wellness programmes

• Shifting organisational responsibility towards caring for top talent

• The difficulty in calculating the return on investment (ROI) for such programmes

• The challenge of getting CEOs to fund such initiatives for all employees

• The benefits of retreats with a focus on mindfulness, self-discovery, and connection

 Action items

 You can find out more about Max at sandandsaltescapes.com or through LinkedIn or Instagram

  You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Resilience for reinvention and change

Keywords

Resilience - Change – Growth – Reinvention – Mental Health – Social Media

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Nina Sossamon-Pogue, shares her diverse career journey, from being part of the USA gymnastics team to a being a news anchor and Emmy award winning journalist. Nina discusses the importance of change, resilience, and adaptability for personal growth and innovation, with a focus on embracing novelty and maintaining a positive outlook. She also talks about the challenges women face in the US, strategies for managing mental health and social media in the face of criticism, and the implications of social media on public discourse and personal privacy.

Main topics

• Why we resist change but need to embrace it for personal and professional growth

• Reinvention and its significance in our lives

• How setbacks or changes can prompt a recalculation of route to something new

• The challenges women face in the US in relation to societal expectations and the role of media

• Managing mental health and social media in the face of bullying and negative comments

• The implications of social media on public discourse and personal privacy.

• Learning from past mistakes and focusing on strengths.

 Action items

You can find out more about Nina at https://www.ninasossamonpogue.com/ or through LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram 

 You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Maximising mental performance

Keywords

Resilience - Coaching - Focus - Emotions - Performance - Self-awareness - Decision-making - Neuroplasticity - Intentionality

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Evan Marks, a seasoned mental performance coach with over 25 years of Wall Street wisdom, shares his journey from a career in finance to coaching professional athletes, C-suite executives, and Wall Street professionals. He also talks about his experiences coaching NASCAR drivers including Jimmie Johnson and their pit teams, and the need to focus on the significance of acknowledging and utilising emotions for enhanced performance.  He also discusses the mental and physical stamina required for professional drivers and the exceptional conditioning that enables them to maintain focus and performance under pressure for extended periods.

Evan also focuses on the importance of self-awareness, emotional management, and intentional decision-making and explores the concept of neuroplasticity and its relevance to personal development.

Main topics

• How the human brain's perception of time and its ability to slow down and speed up can be useful in high-pressure situations.

• Intentionality in decision-making and how it allows individuals to create beneficial behaviours despite their feelings.

• Neuroplasticity and its relevance to personal development.

• The importance of being conscious and intentional to create new neural pathways for personal growth.

• The role of emotions in shaping behaviour and the importance of self-awareness in managing them.

• The need for individuals to prioritise their values and energy to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

 Action items

You can find out more about Evan at M1PerformanceGroup.com or through his social media LinkedIn in/Evan-Marks, x-twitter @EMarksPW or Instagram @EMarks72Web: M1PerformanceGroup.com

You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Is it always good to be ‘easy to work with’?

At some point in their working career many people will have been told that they’re easy to work with. But while it’s nice to know that people like you and enjoy working with you, is it always a good thing? Does it mean that your ideas and opinions aren’t being listened to or even that you’re setting yourself up for increased levels of stress and ultimately burnout?

When someone is easy to work with, it generally means they collaborate well with others, communicate effectively, and contribute to a positive and productive work environment. They might be seen as someone who is always positive. Someone who always says yes when asked for help, someone who has a can-do attitude and is always there when needed. But whilst being helpful and attentive can go a long way in an organisation, they’re not always traits employees need to be good at their job. And some of these traits can be linked to increased levels of stress and burnout.

Employees who are overly easy-going may find it challenging to set and enforce boundaries leading to an imbalance in workload and a diminished work/life balance. Managers or teammates may delegate more tasks them, give them more than their share of responsibilities and expect them to go above and beyond - often without proper recognition or compensation! In environments that value assertiveness, being too easy-going might impact career advancement if others are taking advantage of them and their contribution.

Constantly prioritising the needs of others can negatively impact personal well-being and lead to stress and burnout so it's important to strike a balance between collaboration and taking care of oneself. Being easy to work with doesn’t mean being a pushover or compromising principles. It involves being collaborative, communicative, and adaptable while maintaining a sense of professionalism and integrity.

The Wrong Calamity

Keywords

Resilience – Change – Coping Mechanisms – Shifting Perspective – Reframing Challenges – Narrative Building 

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Marsha Jacobson, an author, teacher, and writing coach from New York, shares her life story, and how she overcame her challenging childhood, abusive relationship, and personal struggles to build a successful career and a fulfilling life. She discusses her experiences with vulnerability, resilience, and personal complexity, how she felt unprepared for challenges and how she overcame them.

She also discusses her resilience, her journey from teaching to consulting, and her experience in non-profit management and about her second husband's struggle with PTSD that ultimately led to their separation.

Main topics

• The importance of embracing change and transitions as part of personal growth.

• Adopting coping mechanisms such as "tiny experiments" and writing fake headlines to shift perspective.

• Reframing challenges as learning opportunities.

• "Narrative building" as a strategy for reframing challenges.

Action items

You can find out more about Marsha at  https://marshajacobsonauthor.com/about/ Her memoir, The Wrong Calamity, is her debut book.

You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

A new path for leadership

Keywords

Resilience - Leadership – Schizophrenic Organisations – Self-awareness – Building Teams – Collective Consciousness - Artificial Harmony - Retreats

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled, Fabrice Desmarescaux, a McKinsey partner and executive coach, emphasises the importance of self-awareness, building strong teams, and being comfortable with risk for effective leadership. He also discusses the challenges and opportunities in modern leadership, the concept of a "schizophrenic organisation," and the need for two distinct organisational models to coexist within a company. Finally, he talks about the benefits of retreats for leaders and the state of the coaching industry.

Main topics

• Encouraging conflict for better decision-making

• The concept of 'artificial harmony'

• The importance of collective consciousness, diverse talent, and a shared goal in high-performing teams

• Leadership and coaching in the context of organisational change

• Why experimentation and learning from failures is needed to make progress

• The importance of retreats as a tool for leaders to disconnect from the busyness of daily life, gain a different perspective, and reconnect with themselves

• The concept of a "schizophrenic organisation"

• The mismatch between an organisations' public values and internal behaviours

• The need for two distinct organisational models to coexist within a company

• Why senior leaders must be comfortable with complexity

Action items

To find out more about Fabrice visit Desmarescaux.com or LinkedIn Fabrice’s book is The Art if Retreats: A Leaders Journey Towards Clarity, Balance and Purpose

You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Positive Psychology for entrepreneurs

Keywords

Resilience – Entrepreneurship – Positive Psychology

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Aaron Marcum, an entrepreneur with a background in the health care and home care space talks about the intersection of positive psychology and how it can help entrepreneurs navigate uncertainties and stress. He also talks about the importance of finding balance between professional and personal life, the challenges and perceptions of being an entrepreneur, the motivations and challenges of entrepreneurs and the influence of unconscious habits and character strengths on performance.

Main topics

• Using the science of positive psychology to help entrepreneurs achieve the 'good life'

• The commonalities and differences in the entrepreneurial journey

• How obsessive passion can lead to personal struggles and relationship issues

• The motivations and challenges of entrepreneurs

• Why many entrepreneurs are driven by fear, rather than a desire to succeed.

• The three levels of faith in a business setting - faith in oneself, faith in others, and faith in a higher power

• The influence of unconscious habits and character strengths on performance.

• The concept of 'entrepreneurial habits' or 'unconscious choices'

• Intentionally making unconscious habits like love, a part of our daily routine.

• Why ultimate performance is a result of unconscious choices

• Having a deep purpose and being clear on it

 Action items

 Find out more about Aaron at LinkedIn or EntreThrive. His book is EntreThrive: The Entrepreneur's Eight Laws to Accelerate Financial Freedom While Creating The Good Life

  You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

The interplay between mind and body

Keywords

 Resilience - Emotions - Perception - Emotional Energy - Self-care - Energy Balance

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Denise Schonwald, a mental health specialist, discusses her holistic approach to patient care which emphasises the interplay between mind and body. Denise explains how emotions can manifest physically and highlights the role of perception in shaping experiences.

Denise also explores the concept of resilience, suggesting that suffering can contribute to its development and discusses the concept of energy, the role of emotions in emotional energy and the importance of self-care for energy balance.

Main topics

• The interplay between mind and body

• How certain emotions, such as guilt or grief, can manifest physically in the body.

• The role of perception in shaping our experiences

• Grief as a transformative force in life

• How suffering can contribute to the development of resilience

• The concept of energy in relation to emotions and physical wellbeing

• How joy and gratitude contribute to resilience

• The importance of self-care to maintain energy balance through exercise or relaxation

• Understanding how high energy frequency energy is crucial for wellbeing

Action items

• Find out more about Denise at https://deniseschonwald.com/ and access a free 10 question quiz to assess your mental health

• Email your name and address to Denise to receive a free copy of her children’s book about anxiety

• Denise’s book are Insightful Self-Therapy and Healing Your Body by Mastering Your Mind

  
   You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
  Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   
  

Transcending traditional ideas to create purpose

Keywords

Resilience – Self-awareness – Authenticity – Creativity - Continuous Learning – Critical Thinking

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Deevo Tindall talks about his problem-solving approach to customer service and his personal experiences of starting his own marketing agency. He emphasises the importance of self-awareness, authenticity in business narratives, and continuous learning and also discusses the pressure put on students within the American education system to achieve academic excellence and the importance of teaching students about alternative paths to success.

Deevo shares his personal experiences of questioning established norms and processes in the corporate world, the importance of critical thinking and the roles of creativity and conformity in organisations and society.

Main topics

• The 'superpower' approach in business

• Strategic growth and the importance of resilience in business.

• Personal and professional reinvention

• The importance of authenticity in business narratives and the dangers of businesses telling inauthentic stories.

• The concept of "shadow work,"and redefining one's identity.

• The different paths to success and the importance of introspection in life.

• Pragmatic, creative approaches to problem-solving

• Is tension in organisations necessary or beneficial.

• Why finding a sense of identity and fulfilment, regardless of whether one is creative or not, is key to a satisfactory life.

• The concept of resilience in setting smart goals.

Action items

Find out more about Deevo at Fusion Creative or through his social media at LinkedIn and Instagram.

 You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

A trauma toolkit

 Keywords

Resilience – Trauma Management – Psychological Safety – Trauma Relief  – Trauma Healing - Nervous System Regulation

 In this episode of Resilience Unravelled, Dr Christy Gibson, a respected physician, international speaker, and trauma clinician talks about trauma management approaches that combine cutting-edge brain biology theories, such as the polyvagal theory and epigenetics, with holistic approaches to offer personalised solutions.

Christy’s expertise extends to international trauma work in countries like Nepal and Ethiopia so provides a unique perspective on post-traumatic growth and workplace psychological safety.

Main topics

•  Deep brain reorienting therapy for trauma processing.

• Focusing on affirmations for flexibility and trust-building

• The importance of social innovation, design change, and policy work in trauma healing and resilience building.

• The need for interactive communication and community engagement in trauma recovery.

• Creating curriculum and onboarding processes for standardising psychological safety in the work environment

 Timestamps

1: Introduction to Expertise and Trauma Work. Introduction to Christy Gibson and her expertise in trauma work. Discussion on the impact of modern technology on reaching and influencing people. 00:02 - 05:26
2: Understanding Trauma and Healing Techniques. 05:26: Different approaches to dealing with trauma, focusing on nervous system regulation. Exploring the concept of trauma and its manifestations in present experiences. 05:26 - 10:54
3: Techniques for Trauma Relief. Techniques for instant relief from trauma. Tension-releasing exercises like humming and singing for trauma relief. 15:23 - 20:43
4: The Modern Trauma Toolkit Book. Discussion on Christy’s book, the Modern Trauma Toolkit, and its accessibility and focus on solutions. 20:54 - 23:58
5: Workplace Psychological Safety and Communication. Highlighting the importance of psychological safety in the workplace and post-traumatic growth. Introduction to safer communication strategies and modern approaches to addressing trauma in the workplace. 27:27 - 29:39
6: Conclusion and Contact Information. 29:39 - 33:38

 Action items

You can find out more about Christy at https://www.christinegibson.net/ http://www.moderntrauma.com or https://www.saferspacestraining.com

Her book The Modern Trauma Toolkit is available here.  

    You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Grief and loss. A male perspective.

Keywords

Resilience – Grief - Loss - Self-care – Support – Moving Forward

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Jarie Bolander, a sales and marketing consultant, discusses his book "Ride or Die," which is about his late wife Jane's battle with leukaemia and the simple to say yet hard to live up to meaning of "in sickness and in health . . . till death do us part."

Jarie talks about the importance of resilience in overcoming challenging circumstances and shares his experiences as a caregiver. Ha also emphasises the need for self-care and highlights the support he received from his loved ones during this difficult time. His book Ride or Die offers a unique male perspective on grief and loss, providing comfort to others who may be going through similar situations.

Main topics

• Using resilience to get through challenging circumstances.

• Learning to be comfortable with the unknown

• Taking incremental steps forward.

• Leaning into the discomfort and making decisions to move forward.

• The importance of self-care for caregivers

• Writing as a way to process experiences and cope with grief.

• The lack of resources and support for men experiencing similar loss.

Action Items

 Jarie’s book is "Ride or Die: Loving Through Tragedy, a Husband's Memoir."

   You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Optimising work performance and mental health

Keywords

Resilience – Work Performance – Mental Health – Organisational Influence - Burnout

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier, a registered psychologist and expert in workplace mental health, discusses the importance of resilience. She talks about the significance of bouncing back from challenges, growing through adversity and how learning and personal growth are crucial in fostering resilience. She also stresses the importance of empowering individuals, open communication, healthy boundaries, and personal agency as vital resilience components.

In addition, Marie-Helene addresses the systemic issues contributing to burnout, the need to empower individuals within workplaces and the importance of fostering open communication and setting healthy boundaries. She discusses how traditional leadership approaches hinder organisational learning, the significance of creating positive work environments for employee well-being and the importance of promoting transparency, embracing change, and honouring everyone's agency in workplace dynamics.

 Main topics

•  The importance of resilience as a real-life competency

• Challenges in the implementation of resilience

• The need for customised approaches for resilience

• Balancing individual resilience with organisational policies

• Emphasising professional conversations and personal growth.

• Strategic approaches for optimising work performance and mental health

 Timestamps

 1: Introduction to Resilience. Definition of resilience, going through adversity and emerging stronger. The approach to resilience through learning and adaptation. 00:02 - 03:16

2: Workplace Mental Health. Focus on workplace mental health, incorporating psychology and business backgrounds. Observation of high burnout rates despite available information, highlighting the need for customised solutions. 03:22 - 07:46

3: Organisational Influence. Emphasis on organisational policies and processes impacting burnout rates. The importance of treating individuals like adults and empowering them to make choices in their reactions. 10:01 - 14:41

4: Building Resilience at Work. Discussion on increasing individual agency and managing mental health in the workplace. Encouragement for organisations to prioritise learning and adaptability for improved outcomes.16:26 - 20:56

5: The Resilience Plan Book. Introduction to "The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimising Your Work Performance and Mental Health". Target audience of professionals and leaders seeking to enhance their resilience and performance. 23:09 - 25:45

6: Conclusion and Book Promotion. 25:43 - 25:45

 Action items

 You can find out more about Marie-Helene at https://drmarie-helene.com/

Marie-Helene’s  book is The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimising Your Work Performance and Mental Health  https://theresilienceplan.com/

You can connect with her at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmhpelletier/ or  https://www.instagram.com/drmhpelletier

   You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Win the now

Keywords

Resilience – Failure – Time blocking – Reflection – Intentionality - Self-care – Win the Now

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Dr Eric Recker a dentist and speaker, emphasises self-care and living in the moment to overcome past traumas. Eric suggests time-blocking, reflection, and journaling to enhance well-being and prevent overwhelm and also advocates prioritising self-care and strategic planning with intentionalit to inspire individuals to appreciate each moment on the journey towards resilience and personal growth.

Main topics

• Learning to live in the present moment to combat a false sense of urgency.

• The importance of conscious reflection and of finding wins in daily moments.

• Setting aside time for planning and long-term goals and emphasising the value of time blocking.

• Focusing on what a win looks like in short time intervals, such as 15 minutes, to stay present.

• Implementable strategies to live and lead at optimal levels.

• Realising important life lessons to help live in the moment.

Timestamps

1: Introduction to Eric's Work (00:02 - 02:15)
2: Overcoming Challenges and Finding Joy (02:41 - 06:58)
3: Finding Wins in Daily Life (12:38 - 15:30)
4: Techniques for Living in the Present (20:21 - 22:15)
5: Balancing Present Moment with Planning (23:01 - 24:08)
6: Eric's Work and Resources (24:32 - 26:41)

Action items

You can find out more about Eric at www.ericrecker.com where you can try the free five day Knock Back Burnout Challenge
Eric’s book is "The False Sense of Urgency: How to Win the Now"

  You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

When resilience becomes toxic

In today’s fast-moving and competitive workplace, the idea of resilience, of bouncing back and remaining positive in the face of adversity or stress, is seen as an important attribute. But, with the world of work constantly changing and ongoing disruption and uncertainty, being consistently upbeat can take a real toll on mental health and emotional well-being. At this point resilience can become toxic.

The idea of toxic resilience centres on the expectation that employees should be able to deal with stress, pressure, and adversity by hiding their human vulnerabilities. Despite adverse situations such as ineffective organisational culture, inept management, or ongoing under resourcing, high workloads, and lack of work life boundaries, they keep going and stay productive!

This type of culture puts pressure on employees to keep quiet when they’re overwhelmed or struggling. They don’t feel able to ask for help or raise their concerns because if they do, they are made to feel that they are letting their colleagues down, are incompetent or weak, or simply aren’t resilient enough. A culture of fear then develops, and employees start to put their own needs behind that of the organisation, going beyond their limits and adopting unhealthy coping mechanisms that can have severe and long-lasting effects, and lead to burnout, mental health issues and decreased morale.

It's therefore important that leaders are able to recognise if a culture of toxic resilience is emerging and can instead start to build an environment where healthy resilience can develop. This means creating a culture where authenticity and open communication is valued, mental health resources provided, and managers enabled with the training to support their team and to understand the importance of their own mental health and wellbeing.

Resilience shouldn’t be needed to get through every day, it should be drawn on in the short term, when challenges arise, or problems have to be overcome. If leaders want to create workplaces that foster growth, fulfilment, and well-being, they need to lose the culture of toxic resilience.

Applying performance science

Keywords

Resilience – Performance Science – Purposeful Thinking – Goals – Decision Making – Brutal Focus

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Carla Fowler an executive coach and founder of Thaxa shares her unique journey transitioning from a background in medicine and science to performance coaching. Carla emphasises intentional thinking as a skill to develop through practice and stresses the need for structured thinking processes and engaging with dialogue partners to clarify priorities for progress.

In discussing performance science, Carla outlined strategy or focus, execution efficiency, and mindset resilience as key areas. She highlighted strategic thinking's role in decision-making amidst uncertainty, focusing on good processes over specific outcomes. She also described obstacles to decision-making, including rushing decisions or over-analysis, advocating for brutal focus and simplicity over complexity to achieve success with greater intentionality.

Carla's methodology centres on using performance science to help leaders achieve ambitious goals. She urges deliberate thinking development, akin to building a muscle, emphasizing time for structured thinking and clear priority setting. Embracing brutal focus, Carla champions doing less with greater intentionality rather than seeking more, challenging the need for complexity when simplicity can lead to success.

Main topics

• Building transferable capabilities.

• Practicing purposeful thinking

• Setting goals and priorities to drive progress.

• Being comfortable with uncertainty in decision-making processes.

• The need for a structured approach to decision-making.

• Considering time constraints and opportunity windows.

• Focusing on simplification and removing unnecessary tasks to enhance decision-making effectiveness.

• The "brutal focus" approach to problem-solving by eliminating distractions and excess initiatives.

 Timestamps

1: Introduction to Coaching Methodology. Introduction to a coaching style using performance science to approach ambitious goals. Building transferable capabilities based on science and medical background. 00:59 - 03:25

2: Importance of Purposeful Thinking. Challenges of making time for thinking in a fast-paced environment. Practicing purposeful thinking through dialogue and asking important questions. Strategies for sticking with the thinking process and building endurance. 04:14 - 09:00

3: Applying Performance Science. Multidisciplinary nature of performance science, focusing on thought performance. Breakdown of performance science into strategy, execution, and decision-making elements. Importance of mindset in facing uncertainty and making decisions. 11:58 - 15:17

4: Clarity and Focus in Decision-Making. Process for making decisions in uncertain situations and having a clear plan. Common obstacles in decision-making processes and the need for sufficient time.  Importance of focus and brutal prioritization in problem-solving. 16:23 - 21:20

5: Coaching Process and Cognitive Reengineering. Explanation of the term "Greek" in relation to tasks and achievements. Cognitive reengineering in coaching to break down goals for clarity. Sharing resources for learning more about coaching and performance science. 22:46 - 24:53

 Action items

To find out more about Carla please visit www.thaxa.com or the welcome page https://www.thaxa.com/p/resilience-unravelled for a free download of The 8 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Coach (and how to avoid them!)

You can connect with Carla at https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-fowler/ or https://twitter.com/DrCarlaFowler

 You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.   

Quiet cutting. A new trend?

Increasing uncertainty in the workplace has led to some organisations to look at different ways of reducing costs. One of the ideas that has increased in recognition is ‘Quiet Cutting’, a way to restructure an organisation by reassigning staff so they remain employed but are moved to new roles that can be less prestigious, have lower pay, and more demanding.
 
Currently, some employers are looking at this as a strategy that can play a significant role in the workplace dynamic because it offers a way of stopping talent loss by leveraging existing staff to meet immediate requirements and maintain stability. Other organisations though can see it as a passive but hostile way to lose workers.

It’s a situation that can be difficult for employees to deal with. Whilst they might feel some initial relief that they are still in a job and may even be retrained, it could also be seen as a demotion and a way of making them quit so their employer can avoid paying redundancy. However, its seen though, it can have a significant effect on an employee’s wellbeing. Employees start to question their abilities, their value, the way the organisation works and its culture. Feelings of confusion, fear, anger, self-doubt, diminished confidence, and anxiety come to the fore, which can also impact on other employees. Even those who aren’t at risk of reassignment see a situation that’s out of their control and may start to look at alternative employment options.

Despite the potential cost benefits, quiet cutting can have a detrimental effect on organisational culture, employee wellbeing, and productivity as employees become disengaged, uncertain about their future and unhappy in a role they didn’t ask for or want. However, the situation can be managed in a more positive way. If the purpose of the changes and future plans are effectively communicated, a reorganisation can increase understanding, reduce uncertainty, and solidify employee commitment. Involving employees in the process and providing support services can also contribute to building a better outcome for both the organisation and employees.

Adoption and destiny

 Keywords

Resilience - Adoption – Separation – Developmental Trauma – Relationships - Destiny

In this episode of Resilience Unravelled Dr Stephen Rowley shares his career journey from public education to psychotherapy and his personal experiences as an adopted individual.

Stephen suggests that separation from birth mothers can lead to developmental trauma and that adoptees often grapple with questions of identity and belonging. He also talks about the emotional outcome when birth parents and adopted children reunite and recounted his recent encounter with his half-sister, who had completed a stint in a halfway house for drug and alcohol addiction. He then shared how, despite her struggle, his sister's brilliance and the connection they shared was truly remarkable.

Main topics

• The core experiences adoptees share.

• How separation can lead to developmental trauma

• The power and interpretation of dreams.

• How our perceptions are heavily influenced by our projections.

• The importance of embracing the unknown and the idea that life is not just a single story but a collection of different themes.

Action items

You can find out more at https://stephenrowley108.com or connect through his social links:

https://www.facebook.com/srowley108
http://linkedin.com/in/stephen-rowley-ma-lmhc-b83ab811
https://www.instagram.com/stephenrowley108/
https://twitter.com/srowley108

His book is: The Lost Coin: A Memoir of Adoption and Destiny  Learn more at stephenrowley108.com/memoir/. 

 You can listen to the podcast in full and find out further information here. Our upcoming guest list is also available along with our previous blogs.
Find out more about our innovative Resilience and Burnout solutions.