What Sets Resilient Employees Apart?
According to Positive Psychology, there are many attributes that set resilient employees apart from the crowd. They are able to build strong connections and relationships with others, they aim for success and help others strive for it as well. They are authentic, practice effective communication and listening, and building trust is important to them. Mostly importantly, though, resilient employees are able to manage their stress levels by actively engaging in self-care and nurturing themselves when they feel stressed. Summed up, resilient employees are able to avoid burnout, which is incredibly important in today’s workforce.
The Importance of Resilience in the Workplace
As cited by WELCOA, this recent Gallup study found that 23% of the full-time employees surveyed reported feeling frequently or always burned out at work. When you narrow the survey results down to Millennials, that figure increases to 28%. Burnout is becoming so common and so detrimental to employee health, that in May of 2019 the World Health Organization redefined burnout as a “syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” Having the ability to bounce back after all the stressors today’s workforce throws at employees is not only important, but it is necessary.
What Can Employers Do?
While some people seem to have been born with more resilience than others, the good thing is, resilience is a skill. Just like any skill, with coaching, encouragement and practice, it can be learned. As outlined by WELCOA, there are three main ways employers can help their employees become more resilient:
- Encourage Physical Activity: Research shows that regular exercise leads to a measurable decrease in both stress and emotional exhaustion. Incorporating a wellness program is a great first step towards encouraging more activity among your employees. To go a step further, consider additional benefits or incentives such as discounted gym memberships, office yoga classes, team running challenges, or paid time off to exercise.
- Cultivate Connections: Having strong social connections and friendships is an amazing defense against the negative effects of stress. While those who work remotely are most at risk of feeling lonely and isolated, employees in the office may not feel social support either. As an employer, it is important to create a positive and inclusive work culture that encourages social connections. Consider doing monthly team building events, offering volunteer opportunities, create an office sports team, host group exercises, etc! Anything to get your employees interacting on a more personal level.
- Support Mindfulness: Living in the moment, having present-centered awareness, taking the time to appreciate the small wins or moments of happiness; these are all aspects of mindfulness. Organizations that support and encourage mindfulness notice that employees are more satisfied with their job, less stressed, more creative, and overall more resilient. To learn more about encouraging your employees to be mindful, check out our blog post, “How to Encourage Mindfulness in the Workplace.”
To learn more about fostering resilient employees, visit WELCOA!
