Building Resilience In Your Career
3 minute read
Resilience is a characteristic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention—especially when it comes to career development. Some people seem to have it naturally, while others develop it over time. Some harness resilience as a superpower to navigate challenges, while others struggle and risk losing their drive altogether.
If it sounds like I’m speaking from personal experience, it’s because I am. My career has been filled with changes, both seismic and subtle, that forced me to decide whether I would let those moments defeat me—or whether I would dig deep, stay true to myself, and push forward toward the career I wanted to build.
Resilience isn’t a one-size-fits-all trait. There’s no single “right way” to demonstrate it. What matters is staying true to yourself and refusing to let setbacks dictate your path.
The Art of Choosing Your Battles
A big part of resilience is learning when to take a stand and when to let things go. Not every battle is worth fighting, and not every setback requires a reaction.
Before responding to challenges at work, take a moment to assess the full situation:
Does this affect your long-term goals?
Does it conflict with your values or priorities?
Is it worth the time and energy it will require to address it?
Resilience often means finding clarity amidst the noise and focusing on what truly matters.
Building Resilience: Tips for the Workplace
Resilience isn’t just about enduring tough times; it’s about thriving despite them. Here are some strategies to help you cultivate resilience in your career:
Reframe Challenges as Opportunities
When you face obstacles, try to view them as chances to learn, grow, or innovate. Each setback can be a stepping stone if you approach it with the right mindset. As frustrating as these challenges might be, I often joke with myself “this is a great learning opportunity”!
Stay Connected to Your “Why”
Ground yourself in your core values and career aspirations. This clarity will help you navigate difficult moments without losing sight of your ultimate goals.
Practice Self-Awareness
Take stock of how you’re feeling and why. Are you reacting emotionally or strategically? Understanding your triggers can help you respond thoughtfully to challenges.
Lean on Your Support Network
Building resilience doesn’t mean going it alone. Seek out mentors, colleagues, or friends who can provide perspective, encouragement, and advice when you need it.
Stay Patient and Persistent
Resilience is often a long game. Sometimes success requires repeated efforts—and a willingness to refine and adapt your approach.
Resilience in Action: Two Stories
Resilience sometimes involves making tough, pivotal decisions. I once worked for a company I absolutely adored for nearly a decade. When the company was sold, my role shifted dramatically, and it no longer aligned with my career aspirations. After much reflection, I made the hard choice to resign. It was one of the most difficult decisions of my career, but I knew it was the right one for me. If I didn’t leave, I would not have had the courage to start my own consulting business - my ultimate passion!
Other times, resilience means persistence in the face of rejection. For example, I spent years pitching a new procedure to our leadership team—a concept I was convinced would enhance both employee experience and business outcomes. Each time I was turned down, I reflected on the feedback, refined my presentation, and tried again. It took four attempts (over four years!), but on the fourth pitch, I secured unanimous buy-in. The key was believing in the idea, adapting based on feedback, and staying committed to seeing it through.
Resilience is more than just enduring hardships; it’s about choosing how to respond to them. It’s the ability to stay grounded in who you are and where you’re headed, even when the path gets bumpy.
By building resilience, you equip yourself with the tools to navigate challenges, make tough decisions, and maintain your momentum. Whether it’s a career-defining decision or the persistence to keep pitching an idea, resilience keeps you moving forward.
What challenges in your career could benefit from a little more resilience? Remember: the most rewarding paths often come with the steepest climbs.
