Resilience Development

In today’s global business landscape, the only constant is unpredictable change. This environment is frequently described using the acronym VUCA: Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. In a VUCA world, traditional and rigid hierarchical structures are giving way to different ways of working and interacting with others and the ever changing external environment. Resilience, defined as the ability to bounce back stronger, in the face of setbacks and downturns, has emerged as a core competence for leaders, professionals, teams and entire organizations.

To help equip you to navigate the complexities of a VUCA world, we use the Executive FiRE Model (Factors Improving Resilience Effectiveness) Index which is a research-backed instrument providing a holistic map of eight spheres that determines your ability to withstand pressure and to grow from it. The eight spheres of the FiRE model range from deep internal Traits (Personality and Biography) to Habits related to Self-leadership for resilience (Attitude, Mental Agility, Energy Management, Mind-Body-Axis, Authentic Relationships and Meaning).

Traits refer to your “raw resilience”, which includes your personality and natural wiring. They are difficult to change.

Habits refer to your “learned resilience”, which consists of behaviours and strategies you can choose to “upgrade” or strengthen at any time. These habits can help you “bounce back” during intense pressure.

This tool also measures the effectiveness of your self-management and coping strategies or habits, as well as your current level of well-being or States.

It also identifies where there is currently a need for action. When used with coaching by a certified practitioner, you will develop and work on actions in daily practice that can help develop your resilience. The instrument is used a second time at least six months later to measure the effects of your action plan.

Resilience is not simply an innate characteristic. It is a competence that can be learnt and internalised. It is also influenced by our general life situations. Ultimately, resilience in a VUCA world is not about avoiding the storm, but about getting ready to meet with the challenges of a VUCA world. The transition to “new work” which is agile, flexible and fast) is impossible without “inner work” of developing resilience.