Dealing With Change in Dealing With Change in the Workplace:the Workplace:

Resilience Through Resilience Through AdversityAdversity

““THE ONLY CONSTANT THE ONLY CONSTANT

IS CHANGE”IS CHANGE”

-Heraclitus 500 B.C.-Heraclitus 500 B.C.

Objectives to Learn:Objectives to Learn:

Why Some People Handle Change & Why Some People Handle Change & Adversity Better Adversity Better

The #1 Core Personal Characteristic to The #1 Core Personal Characteristic to Handle Any ChangeHandle Any Change

What it Takes to Bounce BackWhat it Takes to Bounce Back How to Break Free from Inner Barriers to How to Break Free from Inner Barriers to

ResiliencyResiliency Benefits from Learning Survivor Qualities Benefits from Learning Survivor Qualities

and Abilitiesand Abilities The Strengths to Develop to Become The Strengths to Develop to Become

Highly ResilientHighly Resilient

ChangeChange

Change May Make Things More Difficult in Change May Make Things More Difficult in the Short Runthe Short Run

Resistance to Change is NormalResistance to Change is Normal Change Disrupts the Current Comfort ZoneChange Disrupts the Current Comfort Zone Change Can Undermine Our Need to Feel Change Can Undermine Our Need to Feel

Appreciated, Valued, and In ControlAppreciated, Valued, and In Control But... Change Is Also An Opportunity For But... Change Is Also An Opportunity For

GrowthGrowth!!

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.”

-Winston Churchill

Response to Response to Change/AdversityChange/Adversity

Stressful, Adverse Conditions Can Stressful, Adverse Conditions Can Result in Physical and Psychological Result in Physical and Psychological IllnessIllness

Evidence Shows Not All Become IllEvidence Shows Not All Become Ill Why is it that Some People, Going Why is it that Some People, Going

Through the Same Adversities, Do Not Through the Same Adversities, Do Not Show the Signs of Stress?Show the Signs of Stress?

How Do Some Overcome the Adversity How Do Some Overcome the Adversity and Grow to Become Stronger?and Grow to Become Stronger?

Responding to AdversityResponding to Adversity

Based on your experience, Based on your experience, – what is the difference between what is the difference between

people who bounce back from people who bounce back from difficulties with good energy difficulties with good energy

– and people who can't handle an and people who can't handle an ordinary day very well?ordinary day very well?

Resilience DefinedResilience Defined

““The physical property of a material The physical property of a material

that can return to its original shape that can return to its original shape

after determination that does not after determination that does not

exceed its elastic limit”exceed its elastic limit”

--Merriam-Webster dictionaryMerriam-Webster dictionary.

Human ResilienceHuman Resilience

““A Person’s Ability to:A Person’s Ability to:

AbsorbAbsorb High Levels of Disruptive High Levels of Disruptive Change, Change,

Bounce BackBounce Back, and Even , and Even Excel Excel

in Times of Change and Uncertainty, in Times of Change and Uncertainty,

Without Acting In Dysfunctional Without Acting In Dysfunctional Ways.”Ways.” Al Siebert, Ph.D.

When We Use ResilienceWhen We Use Resilience

1.1. To Overcome Past ObstaclesTo Overcome Past Obstacles

2.2. To Navigate Everyday To Navigate Everyday

AdversitiesAdversities3.3. To Bounce Back From Life-To Bounce Back From Life-

Altering EventsAltering Events

4.4. To Grow to Become Wiser, To Grow to Become Wiser,

StrongerStronger

“I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning to sail my ship.”

-Louisa May Alcott

Responding to Responding to Disruptive ChangeDisruptive Change

From The Resiliency Advantage, Al Siebert, Ph.D.

Levels Of Levels Of Developing ResiliencyDeveloping Resiliency

I.I. Maintaining Health, Emotional Maintaining Health, Emotional Stability, and Well-BeingStability, and Well-Being

II.II. Problem Focused CopingProblem Focused Coping

III.III. Developing a Strong Inner SelfDeveloping a Strong Inner Self

IV.IV. Developing the Resiliency SkillsDeveloping the Resiliency Skills

V.V. Converting Bad Experiences Into Converting Bad Experiences Into GoodGood

Level I:Level I: Restore HealthRestore Health

Stress vs. StrainStress vs. Strain Syndrome Syndrome – Dr. Hans Selye: Pioneering Stress ResearchDr. Hans Selye: Pioneering Stress Research– We Differ in How Much We Can HandleWe Differ in How Much We Can Handle

Take Responsibility to Problem SolveTake Responsibility to Problem Solve– Better to Focus Outward to Problem SolveBetter to Focus Outward to Problem Solve

(Lazarus)(Lazarus)

– Internal Locus vs. External Locus of ControlInternal Locus vs. External Locus of ControlSelf-Motivated vs. Forces Outside Self-Motivated vs. Forces Outside (Rotter)(Rotter)

Level I:Level I:

Hardiness ResearchHardiness Research

1970’s Studies of AT&T Breakup1970’s Studies of AT&T Breakup– 2/3 of Managers/Execs = Stress Illnesses2/3 of Managers/Execs = Stress Illnesses– 1/3 Remained Healthy and Happy…Why?1/3 Remained Healthy and Happy…Why?

CommitmentCommitment– To be successful and help othersTo be successful and help others

ControlControl– Believed They Had InfluenceBelieved They Had Influence

ChallengedChallenged– Energized to Solve Problems, Face Energized to Solve Problems, Face

DifficultiesDifficulties

Level I: Healthy HabitsLevel I: Healthy Habits Physical ResiliencePhysical Resilience

Energy ManagementEnergy Management

– Regaining (Energizing)Regaining (Energizing)

– Releasing (Relaxing)Releasing (Relaxing)

– Regulating (Pacing)Regulating (Pacing)

– Refocusing (Redirecting)Refocusing (Redirecting)

Enjoy Strain Like a Good Workout!Enjoy Strain Like a Good Workout!– Strain/Pause/BreatheStrain/Pause/Breathe…(Repeat)…Relax…(Repeat)…Relax

Know Yourself FirstKnow Yourself First, , Then You Can ChangeThen You Can Change

Understand the Recurrent Situations in Understand the Recurrent Situations in which You are Least Resilientwhich You are Least Resilient

– AdversityAdversity: What Pushes Your Buttons?: What Pushes Your Buttons?

– BeliefsBeliefs: Identify the Automatic : Identify the Automatic ThoughtsThoughts

– ConsequencesConsequences: Feelings and : Feelings and BehaviorsBehaviors

“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater

benefit.” -Napoleon Hill

Level II:Level II:

Problem Focused CopingProblem Focused Coping

Problem-Focused Coping Leads to Problem-Focused Coping Leads to Resiliency Better than Emotion-Resiliency Better than Emotion-Focused CopingFocused Coping

Emotional Reactions Drain Emotional Reactions Drain Resources and Lead to HelplessnessResources and Lead to Helplessness

A Waste to Assign Blame, Lament A Waste to Assign Blame, Lament Misfortune and Play Role of VictimMisfortune and Play Role of Victim

Time to Rise to the Occasion!Time to Rise to the Occasion!

Level II:Level II:

Problem Focused CopingProblem Focused Coping

Some Disengage from the Some Disengage from the Challenge of a Crisis by Challenge of a Crisis by Overreacting EmotionallyOverreacting Emotionally

In Contrast, The More Resilient… In Contrast, The More Resilient…

– ControlControl Their Emotions in a Crisis Their Emotions in a Crisis– EngageEngage the Problem Solving the Problem Solving– Then Then ProcessProcess FeelingsFeelings Afterwards Afterwards– (They Have ‘Impulse Control’)(They Have ‘Impulse Control’)

Level II:Level II: Emotional Stability Emotional Stability

Emotional IQEmotional IQ

AwarenessAwareness

AcceptanceAcceptance

AlternativesAlternatives

ActionAction

Level II:Level II: Emotional AwarenessEmotional Awareness

The Role of Emotion The Role of Emotion – Personal InformationPersonal Information– Feelings as SignalsFeelings as Signals

The Value of Understanding The Value of Understanding EmotionsEmotions– Listening to the Language of Listening to the Language of

Emotions Without Over-ReactingEmotions Without Over-Reacting

Feelings asFeelings as “Information Signals”“Information Signals”

Anger Anger Loss of ControlLoss of Control

Fear Fear Threat (Real or Threat (Real or

Perceived) Perceived)

Anxiety Anxiety Vulnerability (the Vulnerability (the

Unknown)Unknown)

DepressionDepression LossLoss

Emotional StatesEmotional States

Positive EmotionsPositive Emotions Broaden and Build Broaden and Build– Physiologically: Endorphins, EnergizingPhysiologically: Endorphins, Energizing– Mentally: Thinking and CreativityMentally: Thinking and Creativity– Increase Resilience Increase Resilience

Negative EmotionsNegative Emotions Narrow and Weaken Narrow and Weaken– Physiologically: Draining, Illness PromotingPhysiologically: Draining, Illness Promoting– Restrict Cognitive Skills and CreativityRestrict Cognitive Skills and Creativity– Impairs Ability to Bounce BackImpairs Ability to Bounce Back

Level II:Level II:

Use “Intelligence” to Solve Use “Intelligence” to Solve ProblemsProblems Analytical IntelligenceAnalytical Intelligence

– Logic, Reason, Abstract ThinkingLogic, Reason, Abstract Thinking– For For Familiar Familiar ProblemsProblems

Creative IntelligenceCreative Intelligence– Invent Unusual SolutionsInvent Unusual Solutions– For For New and Unfamiliar CircumstancesNew and Unfamiliar Circumstances

Practical IntelligencePractical Intelligence– For For Situational, Real-LifeSituational, Real-Life Problems Problems

“The world breaks everyone and afterward many are stronger at the broken places.”

-Ernest Hemingway

Level III:Level III:

Overcoming Inner Overcoming Inner BarriersBarriers

The Personal Gatekeepers to The Personal Gatekeepers to Resiliency:Resiliency:

Self-ConfidenceSelf-Confidence– The Way to Effective ActionThe Way to Effective Action

Self-EsteemSelf-Esteem– Controls How We Feel About OurselvesControls How We Feel About Ourselves

Self-ConceptSelf-Concept– Our Idea of Who We AreOur Idea of Who We Are

Level III:Level III:

The Roots of ResiliencyThe Roots of Resiliency

The Problem With the “The Problem With the “Good Good ChildChild” Upbringing” Upbringing

Identity Based on External Factors Identity Based on External Factors or Based on Values, Qualities and or Based on Values, Qualities and Abilities?Abilities?– Constructed Self vs. Discovered SelfConstructed Self vs. Discovered Self

Job Description vs. ProfessionalismJob Description vs. Professionalism Willingness to Dream and Be Willingness to Dream and Be

CreativeCreative

“What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.”

-Friedrich Nietzsche  

Level IV:Level IV:

Skills & Qualities to Skills & Qualities to StrengthenStrengthen

1.1. FlexibilityFlexibility - Comfort With - Comfort With Complexity Contradictory Complexity Contradictory Personality QualitiesPersonality Qualities

Creative and AnalyticalCreative and AnalyticalSensitive and ToughSensitive and ToughCautious and TrustingCautious and TrustingLogical and IntuitiveLogical and IntuitiveCalm and EmotionalCalm and EmotionalSerious and PlayfulSerious and PlayfulUnselfish and SelfishUnselfish and Selfish

Level IV:Level IV:

Skills and Qualities to Skills and Qualities to StrengthenStrengthen2.2. Constantly Learn from Life Constantly Learn from Life

Experience – Be Changed by ThemExperience – Be Changed by Them3.3. Deepen Relationships with Friends Deepen Relationships with Friends

and Familyand Family4.4. Expect Things to Work Out WellExpect Things to Work Out Well5.5. Copy - Learning From The ResilientCopy - Learning From The Resilient6.6. Community - Access ResourcesCommunity - Access Resources7.7. Wide Range of InterestsWide Range of Interests

Level IV:Level IV:

Skills and Qualities to Skills and Qualities to StrengthenStrengthen

8.8. Experience and Express the Experience and Express the Range of EmotionsRange of Emotions

9.9. Read Others With EmpathyRead Others With Empathy10.10.Practice Childlike Curiosity and Practice Childlike Curiosity and

PlayfulnessPlayfulness11.11.Defend Yourself WellDefend Yourself Well12.12.Care For OthersCare For Others13.13.Laugh – A Keen Sense of HumanLaugh – A Keen Sense of Human14.14.Spiritual/Philosophical FrameworkSpiritual/Philosophical Framework

“Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.”

-Horace (B.C. 65)

Level V:Level V:

ThrivingThriving

Converting Bad Experiences Into Converting Bad Experiences Into

GoodGood Gain Strength from AdversityGain Strength from Adversity Recover Faster and Emerge Recover Faster and Emerge

StrongerStronger Transformed by the Process of Transformed by the Process of

SurvivingSurviving

““We cannot direct the wind We cannot direct the wind

but we can adjust our sails.”but we can adjust our sails.”

Personal Review:Personal Review:Implementing ResilienceImplementing Resilience

What characteristics of resilience What characteristics of resilience do I recognize in myself?do I recognize in myself?

What traits of resilience would I What traits of resilience would I like to cultivate?like to cultivate?

What can I apply from resilience as What can I apply from resilience as a part of my action plan?a part of my action plan?

How the EAP Can Help How the EAP Can Help During Times of ChangeDuring Times of Change

YOUR EAP CAN . . . .YOUR EAP CAN . . . .

Help You Deal With Emotional Help You Deal With Emotional Conflicts Regarding the ChangeConflicts Regarding the Change

Assist You With Coping Strategies for Assist You With Coping Strategies for Dealing With ChangeDealing With Change

Be a Resource to Help You Make a Be a Resource to Help You Make a Successful TransitionSuccessful Transition

The Employee Assistance The Employee Assistance Service Is . . . .Service Is . . . .

ConfidentialConfidential

Available 24 Hours a DayAvailable 24 Hours a Day

Available to You at No ChargeAvailable to You at No Charge

Available to You and Your Available to You and Your Immediate Family MembersImmediate Family Members

Your EAP is just a telephone call Your EAP is just a telephone call away away

A counselor is available to talk A counselor is available to talk with you at any time.with you at any time.

Referrals to local Employee Referrals to local Employee Assistance ProfessionalsAssistance Professionals