Just may remember a time when there were video stores that you go to to physically rent a movie. At first it was VCR tapes, and then eventually DVDs and finally Blu Ray. Not everyone will remember this because these stores don’t exist anymore. They failed because they couldn’t figure out how to navigate the current changes taking place. We are facing similar changes today in a number of areas.
There is a constant evolution taking place all around us. Being a leader today, perhaps more than at any other time in history, requires resiliency. Resilience is the ability to adapt, the capability to be proactive rather than reactive; and even in reactivity, to be flexible and transformational. Before we can be resilient in our corporate life, however, we have to learn the skills of resilience in our personal life. Kevin Cashman interviewed 62 CEO’s and presidents of corporations. Of those interviewed 75% cited Resonant Emotional Intelligence as the most relevant to their leadership effectiveness. However, according to Cashman, 92% indicated Resiliency in Leadership as the most personally challenging. Do you see what that means? Most leaders feel Resonant Emotional Intelligence is important, and also feel it is the most challenging to be able to demonstrate.
Reivich and Shatte` state, “Most of us at some point in our adult lives come up against a major set-back, a life-altering event that blows us off course. For some, it’s a job loss or a divorce, for others, the death of a parent or child. . . . depending on our supplies of resilience, we will either become helpless and resigned, or we will bounce back and find a way to move forward.” (Resilience Factor, p.15)
Finding ways to be resilient; to demonstrate resonant emotional intelligence is the challenge. And, it won’t look exactly the same for everyone.
I’ll be posting more on this topic. For now, if you want to know more check out: The Resilience Factor: 7 Keys to Finding Your Inner Strength and Overcoming Life’s Hurdles, by Karen Reivich
