Working Productively: Building Team Resilience

Working Productively: Building Team Resilience

Research shows that to be truly resilient, we need a sense of meaning and purpose in what we do and what we spend time on. The following five suggestions can help the people you manage feel valued and find purpose at work.

Help employees understand the connection between their own work and business outcomes.
Employees need to understand the connection between their work and the company's success -- how their work fits into the business plan, what they are contributing and how their work makes a difference to the part of the business they are in. Make it clear how people's work fits into the big picture.

Let employees know that their work matters and that you notice and appreciate all that they do.
Recognize people for the results they deliver at all stages of a project. You can never say too often, "Thanks, great job." By thanking and acknowledging employees' contributions and by helping people at all levels see how their work contributes to the team's goals and the organization's success, you are building both individual and team resilience.

Remember that building resilience is related to working toward goals that you value.
Ensure that the values of the team members -- such as friendship, integrity and achievement -- are reflected in the way the team works together. It's also your job as a manager to communicate how the shared goals and visions of your work group relate to those of the organization.

Recognize that there are many factors employees value and that give meaning to their work.
Work-life balance, the opportunity to learn and grow, job security, flexibility and a measure of autonomy are all important, in varying degrees, for different individuals.

Offer ample and ongoing learning opportunities.
To continue feeling committed to their work -- and resilient as well -- employees need to continually use their talents and skills. Provide employees with work opportunities and challenges that allow them to keep growing and to keep using their personal talents and skills to accomplish new goals. That's key to keeping people resilient and engaged.