How Important Is It To Be Resilient?
When COVID-19 hit the world last year, it was chaos all around. From employees to employers, the world stopped for a few days as it struggled to adapt. We had only known one way of working and that was the face-to-face communication. Yes, there were some companies that had work from home opportunities but those were very rare; the phenomenon was still looked down upon in the corporate world. Fast forward to a few days after COVID-19 hit and everyone decided that virtual was the only option available to continue business operations. A year later today, and I think it is safe to say, that we all have adjusted well to this new world.
If you have ever needed an example on what resilience is, it is this entire shift in our work habits and how well the world has adapted to it (minus a few exceptions of course).
In our June 2021 Chapter meeting (last for our fiscal year), Mark Mullaly was the presenter and he spoke profoundly about the concept of resilience. To put in a few words from his article, published on projectmanagement.com website as well:
“The general sense of resilience is that we are able to adapt. We roll with the punches. We take what’s happening, and we keep moving forward. Despite the obstacles, we continue to drive forward. Relentless. Strong. Unwavering. Solid. Immovable. Enduring. From where I sit, that sounds really exhausting.”
How can businesses be more resilient for future events, like the COVID-19?
Businesses must improve their long-term thinking and planning to better deal and be prepared for events such as COVID-19. Immediate response is not the best way to deal with situations; preparedness and active leadership by the CEOs is the way to go.
The two key-ways for businesses to deal with situations like these are:
- Resilience is not just a word that needs to come when adversity strikes; it should be a phenomenon that is spoken and talked about on a daily basis at the workplace. Employers must assist employees in getting the training and education to become more resilient. It is a skill that is learned over time as one can achieve the confidence to deal with any situation that is not the normal.
- Do not be afraid of unknowns. Businesses must be ready to deal with both known and unknown situations, in similar ways i.e., staying connected to the ecosystems and the economic conditions that contribute to their work. The work of a business should not just be confined to the closed doors of their own workplace, rather to the wider community that it belongs to.
In conclusion, resilience is a skill that ensures we are ready to adapt and be flexible in any situation that is thrown at us. It will be a key to dealing with any uncertainties (such as the current pandemic) in the future, in a more organized manner.
What went on in May…
Our May Chapter meeting was a little different; the event was called CLIC "Redefined"—Battle Trivia and involved both networking and a massive head-to-head trivia battle facilitated by an Emcee from Social Scavenger. The trivia challenged our knowledge in various fields and turned out to be a unique, engaging, and humorous event. I can only imagine how competitive and fun it will be to do this in-person next year.
UP NEXT
We will be back in the fall with an amazing lineup of events, speakers and prizes for our PMI-DHC team. Be sure to get some sunshine and enjoy your summer, all while staying safe and healthy. We hope for the world to return to its normal, sooner than later.
For comments or inquiries, do not hesitate to reach me at [email protected].
—Ammara Mahmood, MBA
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