Few days back I was attending the 16th World Conference for Person-Centered and experiential Psychotherapy and Counseling https://www.pce2024.com/ and one of the key questions was: ‘’ How are we evolving in an adverse reality?’’. Reflecting on that point, I was thinking how do we, as businesspeople, evolve into an adverse reality? How do we manage to keep moving forward in an adverse reality? How do we and our organizations manage to keep moving forward and professionally grow, in an environment where the only stable thing is CHANGE. Fast, often unpredictable and challenging to adopt, CHANGE.
Of course, you can tell me that in the face of adversity, businesspeople have consistently demonstrated an incredible capacity to adapt, innovate, and evolve, so same will happen now. But how it feels? Is it easy? What do we need as People in Business to stand still, succeed and also enjoy a deep sense of fulfillment and happiness during the ride? With all the inputs from the conference, I am still processing what is important, but here are six pillars I consider as an answer to adversity:
Resilience and Adaptability: These for me are directly linked to the ability to allow myself and my team to be curious, make mistakes and ask for support. Is failure scary for me? Is learning new things a heavy load? Am I able to see business as a journey full of experiences or I am only looking for end goals and stability?
Innovation: Adversity often sparks creativity and innovation. Am I open to trying something new or to listening to something different? If I cannot find 2-3 examples that my team or myself tried something different within the past six months then probably I need to look into that.
Collaboration & support network: I usually ask my clients ‘’What is your support network’? ‘’Who are the professionals that you are spending your time with’? My professional life only started to grow when I realized how important is to build solid relationships. Collaborating with businesspeople from all around the world helps to feel supported and opens doors to new ideas and solutions.
Mental Health at work Awareness: The increasing recognition of mental health issues at work is a testament to our ability to acknowledge and address the emotional toll of adversity. This shift is leading to more open conversations, reduced stigma, and increased support for mental health initiatives within a business environment. Stronger social bonds, a sense of belonging, and a greater appreciation for the importance of human connection. (You might want to also check my article : Protecting Mental Health at Work is everyone's duty)
Personal Growth: Professional growth cannot take place without investing in personal growth; therefore, the experience of adversity is a powerful catalyst for personal growth. Am I open to try new ways of being and connecting with the world around me? Learning how to reframe challenges as opportunities for self-reflection and self-improvement.
Emotional Intelligence (EI) & Empathy: These are buzz words in our time and play a pivotal role in understanding ourselves and others in depth, but how many of us can really apply in practice. For me these are present only when I am able to make space to listen the other person, not just with the brain but also with the heart. When I want both to try to understand and feel. How do you apply EI and Empathy in your business life?
While adversity can be challenging, it's also driving business evolution in many positive ways. By acknowledging and adapting to these challenges, we're building stronger professional communities, fostering innovation, and cultivating a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.
Do you want to develop or enhance any of the above skills for you or your organization? Then feel free to book a Discovery Session.
Bridging Brains & Simplifying Processes Method is a well assessed blend of Business Coaching, Person-Centered Counseling and Consulting designed to convert professionals and business teams to champions in their field.
Your People in Business Expert,
Sylvia
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