3 Strategies to Bring Into Every Workplace to Build Resilience and Strengthen Workplace Culture
The small but daily choices we make everyday either build up our brain and our nervous system or tear it down. We can sway employees to strengthen resilience by embedding daily routines and habits that help develop and strengthen connection and courage. In this way, workplace culture becomes a place where everyone can practice and strengthen their resilience skills,
As described in a previous blog post, resilience is the ability to navigate loss, failure, disappointment or unexpected outcomes. It is the ability to manage your discomfort and complete tasks to the end. Building resilient cultures is hard work, practiced everyday, alone and in community.
Building resilient workplace cultures happens in the daily consistent activities and habits of each and every member of the community. What are the practices and activities that you and your coworkers do daily? Here are a few activities to incorporate in the daily workplace that will help build resilience:
1. Create 5 minute micro check ins and goal planning. Build small mentorship pairs or small accountability teams. The daily micro check in requires staff to meet (virtually can work but ideally face to face) and go through a short script of questions such as:
How are you feeling right now?
What is one thing that you will focus on at work today?
What is one thing that I can do to support you in this goal?
The goal of the micro check in is to help staff practice looking at a face, connecting with the key task of the day, build accountability as well as support. It also builds connection, the ability to listen and problem solve. Keep it short and simple but do it daily if possible or at consistent intervals.
2. Block out times for movement and body breaks. The most efficient cognitive output requires breaks and movement. Encourage brief but intentional interruptions A 3 minute intense movement focus will significantly improve learning, creativity and work output. A quick walk outside, jumping jacks, moving the legs from side to side, or even a dance break will all do the trick.
3. Encourage the consumption of nutrient dense, whole foods. There is a growing body of research around the importance of healthy, whole foods and their effect on learning, thinking and the brain. In fact, I wonder why we are not emphasizing this more in schools, pediatric care and workplace culture. Eating foods rich in fibre, protein, plant based and non processed supports gut healthy, minimizes inflammation, and helps stabilize energy levels. Your feelings and your resilience skills are heavily influenced by diet. Consider ways in which to encourage workplace culture to honour healthy food options.
The small but daily choices we make everyday either build up our brain and our nervous system or tear it down. We can sway employees to strengthen resilience by embedding daily routines and habits that help develop and strengthen connection and courage. In this way, workplace culture becomes a place where everyone can practice and strengthen their resilience skills,