By Lee Higgins, Founder
In an era of constant change and disruption, organisational resilience has emerged as a critical quality for businesses. It enables them to navigate uncertainties, withstand crises, and adapt to new conditions. However, the pursuit of resilience can sometimes clash with other important aspects of workplace culture, such as psychological safety, employee well-being, and work-life balance. This short article explores the influence of organisational resilience on workplace culture and the potential challenges it may pose.
Understanding Organisational Resilience
Organisational resilience is a company's capacity to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and adapt to incremental changes or sudden disruptions, thus ensuring its long-term survival and prosperity. This concept goes beyond mere survival; it involves transforming disruptions into opportunities for growth and innovation.
Businesses approach organisational resilience in various ways. Some focus on developing robust contingency plans, while others invest in building flexible processes and systems. However, all resilient organisations share a common trait: they view change not as a threat, but as an opportunity.
The Role of Leadership in Promoting Resilience Leaders play a vital role in fostering a resilient organisational culture. They set the tone for how the organisation responds to challenges and changes. By demonstrating adaptability, encouraging innovation, and maintaining a positive outlook, leaders can inspire their teams to embrace resilience.
The Potential Downside: Resilience or Toxicity?
While the benefits of organisational resilience are clear, there is a growing concern that, under certain circumstances, the relentless push for resilience could foster a toxic work environment. When resilience is interpreted as an endless capacity to absorb stress, it can lead to burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and high turnover rates.
Striking a Balance: Resilience and Employee Well-being
Balancing organisational resilience with employee well-being is crucial. Companies must avoid equating resilience with endurance and instead view it as adaptability. This perspective includes acknowledging the importance of rest, recovery, and work-life balance in fostering sustainable resilience.
Organisational resilience is undeniably crucial in the fast-paced business world. However, companies must be careful not to let their pursuit of resilience compromise their employees' well-being. By fostering a culture that values adaptability, learning, and employee health, businesses can build true resilience that benefits both the organization and its people.