Building Resilience and Thriving During Turbulent Times
These days, it feels like we're navigating a permanent state of turbulence. Between economic, political, and social uncertainty, company restructurings and layoffs, and the rise of AI, it's no surprise that many leaders and their teams are feeling overwhelmed - this environment can create a palpable sense of fear and anxiety. While we can’t control everything around us, burying our heads in the sand isn’t likely to help either. Change will be constant, but we can build the skills to navigate it effectively.
The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Stress
When facing change, it’s easy for organizations to focus on the logistics: the new software, the revised workflows, the financial projections. But ignoring the human factor and the emotional toll on employees is a critical mistake. The risks of overlooking employee stress are significant. A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests that high levels of stress among 1,005 full-time professionals translates into an added $5.3 million annually in costs for every 1,000 employees at a company.
Chronic stress can lead to a host of health problems, including anxiety, depression, and a weakened immune system. On the business side, these health problems can translate to increased absenteeism and higher healthcare costs for employers. In fact, employees experiencing high stress file 2.5 times more health claims than their low-stress counterparts. Beyond health challenges, a stressed workforce is a less productive one. When people are under constant pressure, their ability to concentrate, make decisions, and engage creatively diminishes, leading to more errors and decreased output. A recent report by Lyra Health found that 73% of employees said work-related mental health struggles hurt their performance.
The impact on workplace culture is just as damaging. When stress is not addressed, it creates an environment of tension and conflict, eroding trust and cooperation among team members. This can lead to disengagement, with highly stressed employees disengaging at four times the rate of their low-stress peers, ultimately resulting in high turnover. This is particularly true for managers, who are often caught between managing up to senior leadership and managing down to their teams.
Beyond the tangible costs, there's an undeniable human element at play. Every day, colleagues show up, contribute their skills and energy, and often, their emotional labor, to achieve collective success. Ignoring their well-being diminishes their experience and erodes the very foundation of a supportive workplace where individuals feel seen, valued, and cared for as human beings. Investing in their resilience is a demonstration of an organization's commitment to its people, building a culture where teams can live their stated values.
A Two-Pronged Approach to Thriving Through Change
Investing in your people during times of change is a strategic necessity. When employees receive resources for their well-being, it can help mitigate resistance and ensure the success of organizational change initiatives.
For Individuals: Encourage The Creation of A Personal Toolkit
Mindset Matters: Resilience starts with mindset. Researchers have found that helping team members learn to "rewrite" the stories in their brains from "I can't" to "I can" is one key to building resilience and adaptability. When individuals cultivate a growth mindset, they are more likely to embrace new challenges and recover from setbacks. Reframing a difficult situation can help change how a person responds to it.
One way to support a growth mindset is to encourage individuals and teams to engage in “opportunity spotting”. Rather than focusing on all of the things outside of one’s control or reach, encourage a culture of exploring. “What opportunities now exist due to this change?” and then be open to implementing the ideas and new approaches that come from this thinking.
Build a Stress Management Toolkit: Encourage team members to identify personal stress triggers and implement coping mechanisms that work for them. This can involve taking care of the physical self, such as getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, getting physical exercise, creating work-life boundaries, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in mindful breathing. The exact makeup of each person’s toolkit matters less than actually having a handful of effective practices to support stress as it happens.
Turn to Community and Support Networks: We don't have to navigate change alone. Help those who are struggling to identify resources - community, family, friends, or the organization’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - for support. Even maintaining close workplace relationships, when possible, can help people feel included, respected, and valued. For those who are especially overwhelmed, encourage them to seek professional coaching services, therapy, or other formal counseling to find helpful and appropriate coping mechanisms.
For Organizations: Create a Supportive Environment
Communicate. Communicate. Communicate: Transparent and consistent communication is critical during times of change. Leaders should clearly articulate the reasons for change, its potential impact, and the support available to employees. Creating channels for two-way feedback, such as town halls, surveys, and open-door policies, allows employees to voice concerns and contribute ideas, fostering a sense of involvement and reducing anxiety. It also helps employees understand what’s within their control so they can make sound decisions during tough periods.
Prioritize Psychological Safety: Psychological safety is foundational for a healthy workplace and the cornerstone of effective leadership. During times of change, consider policies and practices that encourage team members to share if they are overwhelmed, need help reprioritizing, have concerns about the change process, or see opportunities to improve how work gets done. Just as individuals can develop a growth mindset, teams and organizations can set the conditions for open and creative thinking to thrive during these periods.
Invest in Career and Professional Development: Companies that invest in their employees' growth see significant increases in retention and engagement. Offer career development workshops on topics like resilience, adaptability, and change management. Employee resource groups (ERGs) also provide an essential space for peer support and networking, and are a great forum to provide mentorship, coaching, and other career development options.
And don’t forget about your leaders. Managers are at the forefront of change, and they require support. Providing ongoing leadership and executive coaching for managers can help them confidently promote new practices, engage their teams, and communicate effectively. These programs also help managers develop critical skills such as emotional intelligence, strategic alignment, and conflict resolution.
Provide Access to Wellness Benefits and Resources: Whenever possible, offer access to EAPs and other mental health or wellness benefits. Ensure these resources are easily accessible, clearly communicated, and culturally responsive, with providers who understand the unique backgrounds and experiences of your team members. Don’t have a formal EAP? Employers can also offer mental health days, flexible/hybrid schedules, or discounts on gym memberships. Even monitoring vacation time used and encouraging breaks can support a healthier, more resilient workforce.
Your Call to Action: Lead with Confidence and Clarity.
Organizations that thrive through change are those that embed skills like adaptability, growth mindset, and emotional intelligence into their core business strategies. They move beyond isolated initiatives, committing to sustained change management and resilience development from the top down.
The Cee Suite offers expert guidance and hands-on support to help you achieve your organizational goals. From workshops like Thriving Through Change: Adaptability and Resilience and Well Being at Work to leadership coaching programs, we can help you foster a culture of resilience and empower your talent. Let us help you achieve your vision for your organization.
