We have all been through experiences which threaten to knock us down, kill our spirit and threaten our peace and sanity. What is more harmful for me are experiences that make me doubt myself and my path, wrecking havoc on my soul. Granted some experiences need to be painful for us to learn the lesson(s) but what of those that threaten to expose your very essence?

Resilience- defined as ‘the process of adapting well in the face of threats or significant sources of stress, it is the ability to bounce back from a difficult situation’. It is a competency that can be built over time and because life is long, you shall definitely get an opportunity to practice 🫠 .

So this week I looked it up (again) this is what I found; people with stronger resilience:
✳️ show greater flexibility and creativity – they bounce back better & stronger
✴️ see change as less threatening, and therefore are more adaptable – they make lemonade out of lemons
✳️ make more positive judgements about others – this! judgement is easy when you don’t care for the truth
✴️ get sick less often- amen to life and good health (including mental health)

Resilient teams and organisations:
✔️ Meet key objectives while facing challenges- this is a remarkable skill, execution despite the odds
✔️ Respond positively to change
✔️ Adapt and recover faster from adversity
✔️ Thrive successfully during transitions
✔️ Turn crises into opportunities- they ask; how can we spin this for our good?

For resilience to be an organisation’s competency, individuals, teams and governing bodies all need to adapt well and bounce back from stressful seasons. Some tips for Board member resilience include:
1. Provide access to support services. Board members are human too. Is there a business coach that can walk with the Board members as they steer an organisation through crisis?
2. Have contingency plans- Boards require management to have well thought out operational and crisis management plans, but what of the Board? Do they have a guide to handle tough seasons?
3. The buddy system- Board Members can partner and check in on each other during personal or Board crises. Life is better lived when the burdens are shared.
4. Personal responsibility- Each Board member should prioritise their well being by having their own resilience building plan, which includes self care- wearing their own life jacket first.

I continue to exercise my own resilience through my storms. In tough times I look at the picture below, which is a painting that I was gifted by a special firm. I have always wondered whether they foretold that there would be seasons the painting would speak to me loudly.

This week, I am choosing to adapt well, to forge ahead and shut out the noise, to do what fills my cup and especially fight for my love of all things governance. I and Akira Consult Limited are open for business!

Here we come Q2 2025- Be kind, be favor filled for all of us!