It’s difficult enough to stay resilient in the face of high demands and changing circumstances. Imagine adding extreme physical conditions, threats to personal safety, natural disasters, armed conflict, large numbers of traumatized people, minimal infrastructure, and complex, multi-stakeholder relations to your list of challenges. Through my leadership development work with the United Nations (UN), I’ve been privileged to work with professionals who operate in some of the world’s most challenging contexts. Their missions’ success rests on their ability to stay resilient and perform effectively in adverse circumstances.
What We Can Learn About Resilience from Female Leaders of the UN
Their stories on working in disaster situations.
September 28, 2017
Summary.
Stories shared by female leaders in the UN who work in disaster situations point to purpose as a foundation for resilience. If you find meaning in the work you do, you’re less likely to burn out. Having a tangible, visible way to display progress and recognize people’s efforts can buoy the spirits of those on the front lines of a difficult situation. Having compassion for yourself and others, including outlets that promote renewal and a change of pace, matter a great deal in building resilience. Finally, socioemotional support, a sense of belonging, and good relationships can infuse challenging situations with a sense of optimism, heightening everyone’s capacity to learn and perform.
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New!
HBR Learning
Crisis Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Crisis Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Learn how to manage uncertainty, dispel rumors, and help your team recover.