Are you Emotionally Resilient? - Day 17: 100 Days of Leadership

We’ve all had times when our emotional buttons have been pushed. But have we controlled them? Have we used our emotions to be a good leader or have we exploded under the pressure?

Emotional resilience is of paramount importance in leadership. As the pressure increases and as the conflict arises, a leader must be resilient with his/her emotions. A leader shouldn't 'crack under pressure' or 'flip out' when something doesn't go his/her way. You must find a way to be emotionally resilient.

One avenue, in which emotional resilience is absolutely crucial, is the cut-throat, never-forgiving, circus-like arena of politics. In Australian political history, of recent years, as soon as a leader sneezes, another leader is trying to cause a leadership spill and force a change of positional leader. Political leaders are dragged through the mud in social media, television and newspapers, and put on the spot by the political journalists in confronting interviews. Without emotional resilience, a politician will make an early exit from the volatile arena.   

How do you build emotional resilience?

I believe one of the greatest ways to build emotional resilience is to tackle problems head on. Let me explain. When a work colleague abuses you verbally in a board meeting, you know very well that you need to have a chat with the person involved. Now, you can choose to avoid the encounter, or you can choose to make an effort to build your emotional intelligence. Granted if the person has been abusive, you may want to have someone with you in the meeting. Take the opportunities to have safe, but candid discussions with people (be it about behaviour or work performance, etc). Tackle these opportunities head on. You will build your emotional capacity as you engage with such relational opportunities.   

What does the Bible say?

Acts 7:54-56 - When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

What will I do now?

How do you rate yourself out of ten when it comes to your emotional resilience? What relationships and situations can you better embrace to grow in this area?