No man is an island, entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main … – John Donne
The assumption often is that we’re defined as resilient if we’re able to overcome obstacles alone. But not only is that untrue – it’s not helpful to your personal and professional success. Resiliency is like wisdom. The wisest man on earth doesn’t have all the answers. He just knows where to look.
The same can be said for resilient people. They don’t overcome every obstacle on their own. They just know when to rely on help, and whom they can entrust.
Reaching out and depending on others is a pivotal part of your personal growth. The question is: how can we call upon others to help us meet the challenges that we face? It comes down to how effectively you can communicate.
There is an exercise often conducted, in which you place your name in the center of a page. You place one circle around your name, and then a larger circle around that circle. You then place the names of the people you trust the most within the inner circle. Next, you place your acquaintances and people you don’t necessarily trust wholeheartedly in the “outer circle.”
This exercise helps you to determine who are the people you define as your support team. Your support team members are the people you’d likely turn to in times of stress and challenges. These are the people most likely to help you build your resiliency and overcome anything.
It’s worth taking the time to nurture your relationships with your support team. Practice your communication skills with them, and make sure they realize that you’re there for them as much as you hope they’re there for you.
Remember: no one does it alone. Ever.
Learn more about the importance of resiliency in your organization by contacting us today.