Resilient Leadership: Overcoming Adversity and Renewing Strength

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1 Leadership & Organizational Psychology 420 Resilient Leadership: Overcoming Adversity and Renewing Strength rĭ-zĭl'yəns n. 1. The ability to recover quickly from illness, change, or misfortune; buoyancy. 2. The property of a material that enables it to resume its original shape or position after being bent, stretched, or compressed; elasticity. -American Heritage Dictionary Bob Dees Major General U.S. Army, Retired AACC Military Director 1

2 Why RESILIENCE??? Trial and Trauma are part of the human condition In the world you will have tribulation. John 16:33 A leader s task includes helping others navigate the challenges and crises of the corporate mission, as well as the body slams of life A leader is likewise subject to trial and trauma, as well as the compassion fatigue that comes with serving others 2

3 TRAUMA The Reality of Trauma trau ma/ˈtroumə/noun 1. A deeply distressing or disturbing experience. 2. Emotional shock following a stressful event or a physical injury, which may be associated with physical shock and sometimes leads to long-term neurosis. A REALITY of the human condition: In the world you will have tribulation John 16:33 No one is exempt WE ARE ALL AT WAR 3

4 WE ARE ALL AT WAR Hence We are all WARRIORS WHAT DO WARRIORS DO? Warriors Fight Warriors Get Wounded SUFFERING! Warriors Bounce Back RESILIENCE! Warriors Fight Again! 4

5 Some Words on SUFFERING There is SPIRITUAL PURPOSE in all pain part of God s plan to develop us. The Problem with Pain, CS Lewis Perfected through Suffering Value of PRIEST is empathy Hebrews 12 Equips to comfort others II Corin 1:3-7 Momentary light affliction II Corin 4:17 Mark of Maturity Smyrna Church suffered well Rev 3 God Walks with Us always Ps 57, Ps 23, Ps 73, Rom 8:18, and more! 5

6 VICTORY through Suffering The body they may kill; God s truth abideth still; His Kingdom is forever. -Martin Luther We are More Than Conquerors Romans 8:37 Greater is HE who is in us I John 4:4 They who trust in the Lord Isaiah 40:31 Keep Reading Affliction by Edith Schaeffer 6

7 The Necessity for Resilience 7

Resilience = Bouncing, Not Breaking Source: Spiritual Fitness Handbook, Military Ministry Press, 2010 We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but

8 Resilience = Bouncing, Not Breaking Source: Spiritual Fitness Handbook, Military Ministry Press, 2010 We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; And though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8,9 RFD LLC

9 THE PROBLEM WITH TENNIS BALLS Source: Spiritual Fitness Handbook, Military Ministry Press, 2010 Wear Out Dip Too Deeply into Well of Courage Lose their bounce Tough conditions (court) Inner strength (air) Break! Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross. Hebrews 12:1,2 RFD LLC

10 POST TRAUMATIC GROWTH MODEL Primary Source: Army G3, Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF). Spiritual Growth Purpose of Life Contribution to Society Perception of Self Relationship Growth Helping Others Adversity EVENT Trauma Anxiety Sexual Assault Divorce Substances Violence Anger Isolation Suicide 10

ROOTS OF RESILIENCE Note 1: The Army has established Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF) which consists of: Physical, Social, Emotional, Family and Spiritual.

11 ROOTS OF RESILIENCE Note 1: The Army has established Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF) which consists of: Physical, Social, Emotional, Family and Spiritual. These represent key building blocks of resilience. Note 2: While all elements are important, the Spiritual element is the least understood and accepted. The Moral is to the Physical as 3 to 1 There are two powers in this world, the Sword and the Spirit. Over time, the Spirit will always prevail. - Napoleon 11

12 Resilience Role Models Rocky Mom/Dad George Washington POWs Survivors: Gabi Giffords Cancer Our Troops & Families Secretariat JESUS Joseph Job David Caleb Hosea Mary Deborah Peter Paul 12

13 RESILIENCE LIFE CYCLE Before During After RFD LLC 2011

14 BUILDING BOUNCE (1 OF 3) KNOW YOUR CALLING Why are you draining the swamp? KNOW YOUR ENEMY Know when to FLEE, and when to FIGHT PUT ON ARMOR OF GOD Ephesians 6 Thy WORD have I hid in my heart (Warrior David) Train Hard (Apostle Paul) DEPLOY IN THE RIGHT FORMATION Praise singers out front (Jehosophat) KEEP A BATTLE BOOK Journaling/Processing 14

15 BUILDING BOUNCE (2 OF 3) KNOW THE SOURCE OF YOUR STRENGTH Holy Spirit Power [Luke 5 (nets broke) v John 21(nets held)] We are weak (earthen vessels) He is strong II Corin 4 Coke Can Analogy what s inside makes the difference Isaiah 40:31 They who trust in Lord shall renew their strength FIGHT WITH A TEAM Hebrews 10:24,25 Never Leave a Fallen Comrade (Warrior Ethos) COMFORT OTHERS Walking with a Limp II Corinthians 1:4 15

16 BUILDING BOUNCE (3 OF 3) DISCIPLINES OF REPLENISHMENT Honoring Sabbath When does the work day end? Day ending rituals, etc Mental Reframing not the Superbowl Luke 10:41 Example of Christ withdraw to a quiet place KNOW WHEN AND HOW TO REFUEL (Well of Courage) How do you measure the level? Physical, emotional, spiritual fatigue What depletes your well? What refills your well? How often do you need to refill? 16

17 THE WELL OF COURAGE Careful you do not dip too deeply into the well of courage General Dick Cavazos, US Army, Retired 1. What depletes your well? 2. What refills your well? 3. How long does it take? 17

18 Tips for RESILIENT LEADERS Stay on Middle C (Christ, Character, Courage) Fight for your first love don t lose it! Remember your CALL Don t forget why you are draining the swamp Keep chasing Lions! Keep loving People! Don t Miss Burning Bushes Strategic Inflection Points Well of Courage Watch the gas gauge! HALT Beware of Success Keep Reading Strengthening the Soul of your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton In A Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson 18

19 Setting the Conditions for Resilient Organizations VISION is critical as an anchor in crisis, an azimuth to future Without Vision, the People Perish -Solomon TEAM is the glue we hang together, or we shall surely hang separately -Benjamin Franklin REALITY is our friend Good outfits talk to themselves -Bob Dees GROWTH is imperative He who moves not forward, goes backward -Von Goethe 19

20 RESILIENCE LIFE CYCLE Before During After RFD LLC 2011

21 WEATHERING THE STORM (1 of 2 ) Keep Breathing one thousand, (Airborne!) Follow your training WORD, Prayer, Fellowship, etc Holy Spirit spiritual breathing Call 911 EMT group of trusting, loving friends Find Safe Harbor (out of the storm) Ps 57 Under the shadow of God s Wings Ps 23 Green Pastures, Still Waters 21

22 WEATHERING THE STORM (2 of 2 ) Start Intravenous Feeding (IV) Bible! Find a Biblical battle buddy Devotions! Prayer! Music! Guard your primary relationships GOD, Spouse, Family, then inner circle Communicate appropriately to different circles Counter Fear with LOVE (I Peter 5:7) And Faith, Courage, Knowledge, Perspective, et al 22

23 In Extremis Leadership Crisis Defines the Character of the Commander Crisis: cleverly disguised opportunity Don t minimize, but focus on positive outcomes Don t make it worse Affirm, Seek to Help, Stay out of the way Honor the Lost, Lead the Living Suppress Fear, Work the Problem The Buck Stops Here taking responsibility, with your people and with the public Keep Reading In Extremis Leadership by Colonel Tom Kolditz, US Army 23

24 RESILIENCE LIFE CYCLE Before During After RFD LLC 2011

25 BOUNCING BACK (1 of 4 ) Choose GRATITUDE in those moments when I have found myself gasping for air I ve discovered that gratitude truly is my life preserver (p. 12, Choosing Gratitude, Nancy Lee DeMoss) Dear Friends, Is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough James 1:2-4 LB Choose FORGIVENESS it only takes one to forgive Practice your declinations PROCESS the flood of wise counsel and opportunities learn to graciously say NO 25

26 BOUNCING BACK (2 of 4 ) Invest in Life Giving Relationships Recognize that some relationships will not carry into your next chapter of life Establish healthy patterns of life balance Disciplines of replenishment Comfort Others Comforting Others with that which you have been comforted (II Corinthians 1:4) 26

27 BOUNCING BACK (3 of 4) Friends walk in when others walk out People that matter will believe and receive you without further validation People who want relationship won t draw away Yet be careful your friends they will get you in trouble Well meaning attempts to Intervene on your behalf Get you back in action prematurely or without God s clear direction 27

28 BOUNCING BACK (4 of 4 ) READ with new eyes and ears The Land Between by Manion Choosing Forgiveness & Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton Night Shift by Dave Shive How to Handle Adversity by Charles Stanley Affliction by Edith Shaeffer And many more. See Bibliography/Reading List 28

29 Why RESILIENCE??? Trial and Trauma are part of the human condition In the world you will have tribulation. John 16:33 A leader s task includes helping others navigate the challenges and crises of the corporate mission, as well as the body slams of life A leader is likewise subject to trial and trauma, as well as the compassion fatigue that comes with serving others 29

30 The Resilience Trilogy by Bob Dees RESILIENT WARRIORS RESILIENT LEADERS RESILIENT ORGANIZATIONS

31 TO CLOSE Trauma is a Reality RESILIENCE is a Necessity Invest now in you and others Before, During, After Not merely about human strength or grit About resilience in and through the Lord! JESUS was the ultimate Resilient Warrior And HE grants us that same Resilience in Him And my God will supply all of your needs, according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:19 31

BEING A RESILIENT LEADER

Leadership is a Contact Sport! BEING A RESILIENT LEADER Bob Dees Resilience Consulting www.resiliencegodstyle.com CHAPLAIN ROBERT PRESTON TAYLOR Bataan Death March Don t Doubt in the Dark What You Believed