The plant was backordered on a key oncology product due to quality issues, just as a large US FDA team arrived for a GMP inspection. The head of quality had recently resigned, and the latest culture survey placed the site in the bottom quartile. The manager was under intense pressure, relying on her experience and resilience to steer through the storm.
Resilient in Times of Uncertainty
Building resilience is essential for leaders who must guide others through uncertainty with courage and conviction, writes Matt Gavin in “How to Become a Resilient Leader,” from the Harvard Business School Online Business Insights Blog. Resilient leaders are consistently rated as more effective by their managers, peers, and direct reports. Organizations that foster resilience don’t just survive—they thrive in the face of change and disruption.
“Resilience is the capacity to not only endure great challenges, but get stronger in the midst of them,” says Nancy F. Koehn, James E. Robison Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. “This is such an extraordinarily important capability because we live in a world that’s one nonstop crisis—one calamity, one emergency, one unexpected, often difficult surprise—after another, like waves breaking on the shore.”
Resilience enables leaders to manage stress, adapt to change, and stay focused during setbacks. In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable business climate, it’s a vital skill for keeping teams motivated and goals on track—even when challenges come one after another like crashing waves.
Resilient leaders are adaptable, purpose-driven, and skilled communicators. They adjust their approach based on the situation and maintain a clear vision during uncertainty. In challenging times, people rely on leaders not only for honest assessments but also for optimism and confidence to move forward.
Resilient leaders are adaptable, purpose-driven, and skilled communicators. They adjust their approach based on the situation and maintain a clear vision during uncertainty. In challenging times, people rely on leaders not only for honest assessments but also for optimism and confidence to move forward.
Many traits of resilient leadership reflect Dr. Carol Dweck’s growth mindset and Angela Duckworth’s concept of grit—a mix of passion and perseverance that helps leaders push through adversity. Grit enables leaders to stay motivated over time, no matter the challenge. Equally important is self-care: sleep, exercise, nutrition, emotional regulation, and social connection all support resilience.
Leadership Resilience in Action
Retired Navy SEAL commander Jason Redman shares his experience of being ambushed and seriously wounded in combat, using the term “end moments” to describe life’s toughest challenges. Whether in business or personal life, these moments—what Redman calls “being on the X”—are filled with stress and uncertainty. They’re inevitable, and leaders must learn to face them with resilience and clarity. In tough moments, leaders have a choice: stay stuck and dwell on unfair setbacks, or show resilience and move forward. Our new plant manager chose the latter, using Redman’s five-part REACT playbook:
- See the situation clearly
- Identify helpful assets
- Assess options and steps
- Choose and communicate a direction
- Act and execute
The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius said, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” Despite our best efforts—through management reviews and risk programs—crises are inevitable. When they come, leaders must be resilient. Our new plant manager was resilient, emerging stronger and more capable.
