There has been a lot of talk about resilience in recent months and dozens of stories about how agility and adaptability have been key ingredients to helping organizations and teams survive – and even thrive – during the pandemic. Through all of these conversations, we’ve learned three key things about resilience and how it works for those teams that have it:
- Resilient teams know that “collaboration” doesn’t’ equal “meetings.” With overburdened staff who often are handling the work of two or more people, successful organizations have realized how many meetings they can do without. Cutting back on meetings and making those that are deemed necessary more efficient free up time for hands-on work and a focus on other, more effective and time-saving means of communication.
- Resilient teams build caring, supportive relationships with each other. Teams in name only don’t have the stamina to survive a disaster or stressful situation. It’s essential to have teams who know and respect each other. Team-building exercises or activities should be considered a priority, not a luxury.
- Resilient teams feel a collective responsibility to lift each other’s energy and well being. Agile teams aren’t afraid to share their fears and feelings with each other and ask for help when they need it. They don’t feel the need to keep their stress and anxiety to themselves, and they work in an environment where they’re encouraged to be open and share with others.
