Emotional Resilience in Leadership: Lessons Chronic Illness Can Teach Business and Motivational Keynote Speakers

Be Flexible

You come to work every day, and often, the tasks are the same, or at least similar. You complete one after another and catch every ball thrown your way along the process. Come 10, you grab a cup of coffee and venture back to your office for a breather. At noon, you’re raring for another breather and to stop that grumbling in your stomach. And so forth…

Whenever you fall into the same routine, especially depending on your personality, it’s easy to tune everything out and just get one thing done after another. Any time a true hurdle arises, it may be hard to cope with.

However, one lesson you can learn from people with chronic diseases is flexibility. You need to take each challenge ahead of you and learn to tackle it. Remain calm and adapt as necessary with a smile on your face.

As you’re educating staff, emphasize the importance of this attitude and how it can help them in the long run.

Make the Most of Every Situation

Every day, a person with a chronic condition has some struggles to overcome. Depending on the issue, the person may not know how long they have. They also might not know how they’ll take on each day when there are tasks they can’t complete.

Though some days may hold a person back or get them down, many people with chronic conditions believe in keeping a positive attitude and making the most of each and every day. Rather than rolling over and giving up, many people with chronic illnesses keep trucking and moving on, trying not to let their condition keep them from progressing and living.

A business keynote speaker, such as one speaking to a group of professionals in the financial sector, may take this lesson and educate the audience about how they can apply it to their work and lives.

For instance, the speaker can draw from people with chronic conditions and educate them about how to embrace any challenges they face and use it to their advantage. The speaker can teach them how to think outside the box when problem-solving, or, at the bare minimum, take from what they learn and use it as an opportunity for progress.

Celebrate Small Wins

Let’s say a person with diabetes has an A1C of 8.4. This number represents the average of their blood sugar levels over the course of two to three months. Ideally, the person wants their reading to be under 5.8. Usually, with a person who has diabetes, there’s some wiggle room, and the goal is to get them below 7. If the person’s A1C fell to 8.1, while it’s not in the target range, it is an important and therefore reason to celebrate.

Once they lower it further, it’s another accomplishment to cheer on. In fact, each time they lower it, rejoicing is enough to push them to keep up the good work.

Even having someone who completes deep cleaning a room in a house is a cause to show praise when they have a chronic illness, because they could’ve taken a great deal of time, taken on challenges, and accomplished something they didn’t realize they could.

The same can be applied to a workplace. The leaders in the building should applaud the staff’s accomplishments, even the small ones. It’s important to mention it to everyone. More and more people will step up to do well when they know they’re receiving acknowledgement.

Depending on the company’s policies, it may help to set up a rewards system, where employees can win gift cards, prizes, or a chance to win in a raffle.

Understand That Persistence Pays Off

Someone with a chronic illness has no other option than to continue moving forward and navigate battles as they pop up. Sometimes, it may seem like too much, but they keep trying, even if it means changing the course of action.

A person in a workplace can find this a valuable lesson in life because they’ll learn to keep trying and not to give up. When things seem too difficult, they can put on a smile and their thinking cap to find a way to overcome it. This may mean repeatedly trying to find a solution.

In the end, the person will level up each time and benefit from what they earned, whether it means a raise, recognition, or the satisfaction of seeing how far they’ve come.

Chronic conditions are difficult for people to face each day. They’re long-lasting, possibly never to go away, and there currently isn’t a cure. It’s enough to get anyone down. But these individuals still find lessons in what they’re going through, and others can benefit from these lessons, as a business keynote speaker will tell you.

FAQs for Emotional Resilience in Leadership: Lessons Chronic Illness Can Teach

How can leaders apply the lesson of 'flexibility' in the workplace?

Leaders can encourage flexibility by promoting a calm and adaptive response to unexpected problems. This involves moving away from rigid routines and fostering a mindset that views challenges as normal occurrences that present opportunities for new solutions.

Why is celebrating small wins so important for a team?

Celebrating small victories is crucial for maintaining team morale and motivation. It validates the effort of team members, making them feel appreciated and encouraging them to persist through larger, more complex projects. This consistent recognition builds a positive and resilient company culture.

What does 'making the most of every situation' mean for a business leader?

For a business leader, it means cultivating a positive and proactive mindset. It's about teaching your team to look for the learning opportunity in every setback and to use challenges as a catalyst for innovation and strategic thinking, rather than being discouraged by them.

How can the concept of persistence be taught to employees?

Persistence can be taught by leading by example and creating a supportive environment where trying and failing is seen as part of the process. Leaders should provide resources, offer encouragement when things get tough, and recognise the effort involved, not just the final successful outcome.

Can these lessons on resilience improve company culture?

Absolutely. Integrating these lessons on flexibility, positivity, recognition, and persistence can significantly improve company culture. It creates a more empathetic, supportive, and motivated environment where employees feel valued and are better equipped to handle stress and business challenges. Some platforms, like Storific, offer resources that can help build this kind of supportive business foundation.