Leadership and Emotional Resilience – do the two go hand in hand?

 

Leadership – a subject that has been researched and written about for hundreds of years. We all draw on the skills needed for leadership whether it be in the home environment, in a social set up or at work.

Emotional Resilience (ER) – a subject that is seemingly new yet the study of emotions by psychologists has been around for hundreds of years but Emotional Resilience only recognised as a term in the 1970’s.

Leadership and ER are like two souls in love, they are linked, unable to live without each other. ER is your ability to adapt to stressful situations and crises – “bounce back”. Both biological and social factors determine your resilience levels. Whilst it seems to come more naturally to some, others of us have to work at it. Yes, it is something that can be improved or even learnt regardless of what we are born with.

A perfect example of a leader who displayed the qualities of being emotionally resilient is that of the late Nelson Mandela. Nelson displayed the 5 resilient attributes: Perspective, Awareness, Inner Control, Perseverance and Optimism

Whilst the South African political status continues to furrow into uncertainty, the legacy left by this amazing leader leaves the Rainbow Nation with some fundamental values. He created possibilities for the humanity of his country and intimately attached a vision of unity for each South African.

“I went for a long holiday for 27 years”, Nelson Mandela once said of his years in prison. Facing a harsh regime on Robben Island he found “ …the confinement forbidding, there was no end and no beginning, only one’s mind, which can begin to play tricks”.

Fortunately he had access to books and literature albeit limited and had many years to master this practice. Through time and reading he developed himself, and flourished with the 5 resilient qualities.

Perspective: Given the harsh conditions he suffered, he still managed to keep perspective and maintain an unbiased attitude reserving judgment. A psychological balance was maintained irrespective of the battles, struggles and triumphs he faced.

Awareness: A man who was self-aware yet also encouraged social awareness in his diverse nation. To mention a couple, he created an awareness of the fight against racism and an awareness of AIDS in Africa.

Inner Control: His leadership oozed qualities of consistency and fairness, rarely an outlandish emotional decision made. Rather than lashing out and making impulsive standpoints, he developed wisdom and willpower, evaluating all the time.

Perseverance: Determination personified whilst remaining aligned with his values. Quitting can sometime seem the easy way out yet he never gave up and was one hundred percent committed to his outcome.

Optimism: Against all odds, remained focused on the goal. This is an admirable quality to be able to see the positives and reframe all the negatives, resulting in a positive mental state.

Given the circumstances Madiba had to endure, emotional resilience contributed largely in supporting his great leadership. Should be clear to you now, how Leadership and ER go hand in hand?

Article written by Leigh McKay
@workwisely