Resilience Roadshow Alan Bradshaw Business Psychologist Partner, Work-Life Solutions 1

About Alan Bradshaw Involved in stress management field since 1996 Founded UK-wide stress consultancy 1998 Developed training and tools around stress management and wellbeing at work Now Partner in Work-Life Solutions Aim is to promote evidence-based approaches Work primarily with psychologists Partner/collaborate with organisations 2

What we’re covering today What is resilience? Psychology ‘snippets’ Rosy glow exercise Discussion of positive psychology approaches Resilience at work; Organisational resilience Resources and tools Follow-up Discussion and questions 3

What is ‘Resilience’? A number of different but related aspects.. Ability to cope with stress Ability to manage emotions (not suppress them) Mental toughness or ‘hardiness’ – remaining resilient despite difficult circumstances Ability to ‘bounce back’ from or overcome adversity Related to the meaning (attitude) people attach to adverse events (Perspective is incredibly important!) Recent research has shifted focus from protective factors to protective processes 4

A definition of resilience... Resilience is an individual's ability to generate biological, psychological and social factors to resist, adapt and strengthen itself, when faced with an environment of risk, generating individual, social and moral success. Oscar Chapital C. (2011) 5

Another definition... Resilience comprises a set of flexible cognitive, behavioural and emotional responses to acute or chronic adversities which can be unusual or commonplace. These responses can be learned and are within the grasp of everyone; resilience is not a rare quality given to a chosen few. While many factors affect the development of resilience, the most important one is the attitude you adopt to deal with adversity. Therefore, attitude (meaning) is the heart of resilience. Neenan & Dryden (2009) 6

(Resilience) Psychology ‘Snippets’ Hardiness: the 3 C’s, Commitment, Control, Challenge (Kobasa, Maddi) Locus of control: internal/external (Rotter) Self-efficacy: beliefs about our ability (Bandura) Salutogenesis/Sense of Coherence: (Antonovski) Comprehensibility, Manageability, Meaningfulness Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): ABC + DE Mindfulness: attention, intention (purpose), attitude (living deliberately in the present moment) Emotional Regulation of Others and Self (EROS) Positive Psychology: what contributes to wellbeing; what enables us to thrive and flourish (Seligman) 7

The Rosy Glow Exercise (step 1) Please reflect for a moment on all the things that give you a ‘rosy glow’. These are the feel-good things that when you reflect on them give you feelings of happiness, enjoyment, contentment, satisfaction and/or a sense of wellbeing. What are they? They could be related to: people, places, pets, works of art, music, memories, activities, achievements, nature, spirituality,... whatever is meaningful to you and gives you a sense of wellbeing Please write down all the things that come to mind... 8

Step 2: In pairs (or threes...) Your job is to find out as much as you can about the other person - you have 10 mins for this exercise... What’s really important to this person? What makes them feel fulfilled, happy and satisfied? What does this person absolutely love doing and why? (their passions and interests)? Who are the most important people in their life? What organisations do they belong to / what causes do they believe in or support? What achievements are they most proud of? 9

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Positive Psychology: Seligman’s Theory of Wellbeing PPositive Emotion EEngagement RRelationships MMeaning AAccomplishment 12

Building resilience at work? Based on what we have been discussing about resilience and Positive Psychology, reflect on the following question, then discuss with a partner(s) What can we do to enable resilience and positive wellbeing at work? Afterwards we’ll have a short feedback session 13

Resilience at Work (some areas) Quality of Working Life (QoWL) Awareness, attitudes and behaviours Implementation intentions (for work pressures) Strengths and person-job fit; flow Sustainable employee engagement Positive communications (Losada ratios) Control and acceptance; enabling control Positive working relationships and support What-went-well (Appreciative Inquiry) Finding meaning and purpose at work 14

Org Resilience and negative events Negative events happen with increasing frequency Associated stress has significant human impacts This can and should be planned for, including: Opportunities for people to voice concerns Provision of appropriate support Communications with those affected Stress management and resilience training Making sure services are maintained How well does your organisation deal with adversity? BSi – Human aspects of business continuity 15

Resources and Tools... There are resources everywhere you can tap into... (it’s your choice!) The most important resilience resource is yourself... Also, this resource can be increased in multiple ways Almost limitless external resources... Other people are a huge and important resource This resource can be increased in multiple ways too Limitless web resources (but...) Resilience and positive psychology tools Alan will forward some of the best tools and resources 16

Positive psychology resources 17

EROS (Emotion Regulation) 18

Follow-up info and resources I will be sending you follow-up s with: Information resources and research Web-based tools and questionnaires Train-the-trainer course: Building Resilience Through Positive Psychology In-house training and coaching Recommended books 19

Thanks for listening! Any questions before we close? Please hand in completed evaluation forms before you go I’ll be in touch with follow-up information and resources Alan Bradshaw Partner, Work-Life Solutions 20