1. Welcome – Staff health and well-being event
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2. Resilience and Mental Toughness
Martyn Saycell
Human Resources Business Partner
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Good morning, this is a session as part of the AU staff health and well being event on resilience and mental toughness.
My name is Martyn Saycell, I’m a HRBP with AU.

3. Learning outcomes What is Resilience What is mental toughness
Bullet point list (animated)
So, what are we hoping to get out of today’s session, ….. An understanding of resilience, an understanding of mental toughness.

4. What is MENTAL TOUGHNESS?
“A personality trait which determines in large part how people deal with challenge, stressors and pressure .... irrespective of prevailing circumstances”
Mental Toughness has 4 components:
Challenge
Control
Commitment
Confidence
Bullet point list (animated)
Read out the definition……. Mental toughness has 4 components.

5. Resilience is often described as a function of control and commitment.
Resilience represents the ability to deal with an adverse situation and still complete some or all of what you had set out to do.
Mental toughness broadens this concept by adding two more components - Challenge and Confidence. This introduces a more pro-active element.
Bullet point list (animated)
Read out the definition……. Resilience – what is it. Adds in challenge and confidence.

6. Commitment
“stick-ability”. Describes to what extent you will “make promises” and the extent to which you will keep those promises.
Those promises can be made to others or to themselves.
When asked to do something to a target by a certain time & date do you instinctively think:
I’ll go for that and I’ll do what it takes or
I’ll never manage that – I’ll look stupid when I fail.
Bullet point list (animated)
We’ll cover over some of the areas. Lets start with commitment. 2 possible things that we think… I’ll go for it. Or heck I’ll never manage that.

7. Commitment How do those “Low” in commitment typically behave?
Will avoid setting goals and targets –failure will expose them as “failures”
Exams, tests, assignments are threatening
Goals & targets are intimidating to them
Give up easily and find a reason for it
Will try to ignore goals and targets
Distract attention from the goal – “ I would have done it but I did this other thing/ was asked to do something else, etc”
Often respond to the last person to ask them to do something
Will translate goals and targets into “pictures of success” & plan for attainment.
Exams, tests, assignments are welcomed
Set targets for themselves - pbs
Work hard and go for it.
Excited by measures, goals and targets
How do those “high” in commitment typically behave?
Bullet point list (animated)
2 kinds of people, those how are low in commitment and high in commitment.

8. Control
“Can do”. Describes to what extent you believe you shape what happen to you and manage your emotions when doing it.
There are two components :
Life-Control
Emotional Control
When asked to do something , is your default response:
I can do it …. without needing to check if it is possible
I’ll stay in control of my emotions
Bullet point list (animated)
Ok, so the 2nd one, …. Control – this is split into life control and emotional control..

9. Life Control How do those “Low” in life control typically behave?
They are fatalists – things happen to them
Do one thing at a time – panic when overloaded
Blame others and circumstances for failures
Tend to focus on why things cant be done
Cup half empty
Believe they make difference
Happily multi-task
Good at planning & organisation
Cup is half-full. Everything is possible.
Work hard to clear blockages
Problems exist – they are there to be handled
How do those “high” in life control typically behave?
Bullet point list (animated)
Life Control. Those low in life control…..
Those in high in life control.

10. Life Control Are there “downsides” for those “High” in “Life Control”?
Can take on too much.
Can be intolerant of those who aren't as positive.
Can be control freaks – take over when others don’t step up.
Can perceived as bullies
Can fail to see own weaknesses
Bullet point list (animated)
So what are the downsides to those high on life control…….

11. Emotional Control
How do those “Low” in emotional control typically behave?
Reveal their emotional state to others
Deal poorly with criticism or negative feedback
Feel things happen to them
Get down when things go wrong
Can lose it when provoked or annoyed.
Manage their emotional response to situations
Difficult to provoke or annoy
Deal well with difficult people
Mask anxiety – maintain poise
Deal well with bullying behaviour
How do those “high” in emotional control typically behave?
Bullet point list (animated)
Ok, the 3rd one.

12. Emotional Control
Are there “downsides” for those “High” in “Emotional Control”?
Difficult to read
Can appear insensitive – will often show no emotion at all.
Can stress others with whom they work – can appear impassive or unenthusiastic
Can make poor leaders
Sometimes have difficulty in communications
Bullet point list (animated)
High in emotional control. What do these people portray in their character?

13. Challenge
“drive”. Describes to what extent you see challenges, change, adversity & variety as opportunities or as threats.
When asked to do something significant or challenging is your immediate response to say:
That’s great – I look forward to whatever emerges or
Oh no! I like things the way they are – I'm frightened by what might happen.
Bullet point list (animated)
Ok, the 3rd area – Challenge

14. Challenge How do those “Low” in challenge typically behave?
Hate change and variety of any sort.
Don’t like shocks & surprises
Hate new places; people; subjects, bosses, etc
Respond poorly to competitive types
Risk averse
Avoid effort and anything which attracts attention
Like challenge
Easily bored – will seek change - may provoke change
Like problem solving
Work hard & smart
Risk orientated
Readily volunteer
How do those “high” in challenge typically behave?
Bullet point list (animated)
Low and high in challenge

15. Challenge Are there “downsides” for those “High” in challenge?
Can take on too much!
Will take on too much risk – can sometimes fail.
May not assess risk and opportunity well enough
Bored – will often create too much change
As managers, often create initiative overload
Bullet point list (animated)

16. Confidence
“Self Belief”. Describes to what extent you believe you have the ability to deal with what will face you and the inner strength to stand your ground when needed.
There are two components :
Confidence in Abilities
Interpersonal Confidence
When doing something and you face a problem, is your default response:
I have the capability to plough on?
I’ll deal with those who get in my way?
Bullet point list (animated)
The final areas – confidence. Again linked to ability and interpersonal confidence.

17. Confidence in Abilities
How do those who have “Low” confidence in abilities typically behave?
Will be reluctant to express a view in discussion or debate
Low self belief. Not confident that they know subject matter even though they you do.
Inner belief missing – need others to build that.
Unsure whether they have grasped a subject or not – feel they are still missing something
Don't need others to tell them they can do it or to encourage them.
Happily to engage in discussion even if it takes them into the unknown
Can believe they are right .. Even when they are wrong
Little or no need for external validation.
How do those who have “high” confidence in abilities typically behave?
Bullet point list (animated)

18. Confidence in Abilities
Are there “downsides” for those with “High” confidence in abilities?
Can take on too much.
Can be intolerant of those who aren't as able.
Potentially arrogant.
Can be perceived as bullies
Can fail to see own weaknesses
Can believe they are right .. Even when they are wrong
Bullet point list (animated)

19. Interpersonal Confidence
How do those “Low” in interpersonal confidence typically behave?
Back down quickly when challenged
Will allow others to dominate debates – even when they are more knowledgeable and more expert
Will have difficulty dealing with assertive people
Won’t ask questions in group settings
Will accept criticism even when its not deserved
Will argue their corner – especially if they believe they are right
Will gets their own way – even when others may have a better case
Wont allow others to orally dominate
Will have a “go” and enter a conversation.
Will often provide a full response to questions
How do those “high” in interpersonal confidence typically behave?
Bullet point list (animated)

20. Interpersonal Confidence
Are there “downsides” for those “High” in Interpersonal confidence
Will get ones own way – even when others may have a better case or are right
Won’t allow others to orally dominate
Can rely on the “gift of the gab”
Will interrupt a great deal
Poor at listening
Can be seen as “aggressive” & as “verbal bullies”
Bullet point list (animated)

21. The Four C’s Control - I really believe I can do it
- I can keep my emotions in check when doing it
Commitment I promise to do it
- I’ll do what it takes to deliver it (hard work)
Challenge I am motivated to do it – I can see the benefit
- Setbacks make me stronger
Confidence I believe I have the ability to do it
- I can stand my ground if I need to
Together these give rise to Mental Toughness
Bullet point list (animated)
So in summary, the four Cs if working in tandem with provide resilience and mental toughness.

22. Thank you
Any questions
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