A Leadership Imperative

In times of uncertainty, resilience becomes one of the most vital leadership capacities. Yet despite its frequent use in organizational conversations, resilience is often misunderstood or oversimplified. To lead effectively through complexity, we must deepen our understanding of what resilience truly entails—and how to cultivate it.

Two Tracks of Resilience

Resilience can be viewed through two distinct lenses. The first, as defined by Dr. Taryn Marie Stejskal in The Five Practices of Highly Resilient People, is the ability to experience change, challenge, or complexity in a way that enhances rather than diminishes us.

The second lens draws from broader strategic frameworks such as Simon Sinek’s The Infinite Game, Cal Newport’s Deep Work, and Kim & Mauborgne’s Blue Ocean Shift. These perspectives emphasize that resilience is not just about endurance; it’s about adaptability, innovation, and courage.

Strategic Adaptability in Action

Consider the example of Victorinox, the maker of Swiss Army knives. After 9/11, their core product was banned from air travel. Instead of folding, they pivoted, expanding into luggage and fragrances, ultimately achieving record sales.

Similarly, Lancaster Leadership, an events-based company, faced existential risk during COVID-19. By reimagining its delivery model, the company not only survived but doubled its services and sales.

These stories illustrate that resilience is not passive. It’s a strategic response to disruption, one that requires vision, flexibility, and bold action.

The Power of Deep Focus

In Deep Work, Cal Newport argues that in a distracted world, the ability to focus deeply is a superpower. This idea aligns with Stephen Covey’s “life jar” metaphor: if we don’t prioritize the big rocks, our most meaningful work, our lives fill with sand and pebbles, leaving no room for what matters most.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the father of positive psychology, adds that achieving a state of flow requires uninterrupted focus. Research suggests it takes at least 23 minutes of sustained attention to enter this state. Yet constant digital interruptions prevent most leaders from ever reaching it.

A Practical Path Forward

So what can leaders do? One actionable step is to schedule a weekly strategy session, just 15 minutes to pause, reflect, and recalibrate. Ask yourself: What should I start, stop, or continue doing?

This simple practice can prevent misalignment and foster visionary leadership. If time is scarce, even a monthly session can make a difference. The key is to fight for that space because no one else will advocate for it on your behalf.

Final Thought

Resilience is not just a trait; it’s a practice. It’s the discipline of deep thinking, the courage to pivot, and the commitment to lead with clarity in the face of ambiguity. Whether through movement, reflection, or inspired learning, the path to resilient leadership begins with carving out time to think. Because in the end, the leaders who thrive are the ones who choose to adapt with intention.