Building Leadership Resilience: 3 Strategies That Actually Work

Picture this: It’s Monday morning, and you’ve just learned your team missed a major deadline. Your inbox is overflowing with concerned messages, and your team’s morale is slipping through the cracks. Sound familiar?

Every leader faces moments that test their resilience. The good news? These moments don’t have to define you.

Today, I’m sharing battle-tested strategies to help you and your team turn setbacks into opportunities for growth.

Resilience isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Here are three quick strategies you can use to lead with confidence, even when the pressure is on:

1. Celebrate Small Wins:
   Recognizing progress keeps morale high and builds momentum.

   • INSTEAD OF: “Great job, everyone.”

   • TRY THIS: “Team, our customer satisfaction scores improved by 5% this week! Sarah’s onboarding improvements made this possible. Amazing work, Sarah!”

2. Pause and Reset:
   Taking a moment to reset is a power move under pressure. Try this 5-minute reset routine:

   • 1 minute: Deep breathing to re-center yourself.

   • 2 minutes: Write down your top three priorities.

   • 2 minutes: Identify one immediate action step to tackle.

3. Keep the ‘Why’ Front and Center:
   Purpose drives resilience. Instead of saying, “We need to meet this deadline,” try:

   • “Completing this project will help us secure funding to grow our team next quarter. Let’s make it happen together.”

Real Talk Resilience (Storytelling)
One of my clients, Emily, a nonprofit director, faced a significant setback when a key fundraiser fell flat. Her team was discouraged, and their goals felt out of reach.

Here’s how Emily turned it around:

• She celebrated small wins, recognizing the strong relationships her team had already built.

• She took a pause and reset, dedicating time to re-prioritize their fundraising plan.

• She refocused the team on their why: “Our work supports families in need—every dollar counts.”

The Result: Emily’s team not only recovered but exceeded their annual fundraising goal by 20%.

This week, try one of these resilience-building exercises:

1. Morning Momentum: Start your day by identifying one win, one challenge, and one next step.

2. Team Spotlight: At your next meeting, highlight a team win and name the person behind it.

3. 2pm Reset Reminder: Set a daily alarm to pause, breathe, and realign your focus with your top priorities.

Small, consistent actions lead to big results.

Winning and Learning Celebrating Success Spotlight on Resilience: Brandon Darrington
In December 2024, Brandon Darrington, FACHE, joined Emory Healthcare as Vice President of Internal Medicine and the Department of Medicine’s Executive Administrator for Clinical Affairs & Administration.

Brandon is a nationally recognized healthcare leader, known for his operational excellence, strategic vision, and team-building expertise. During his tenure at University Hospitals in Ohio, he transformed team dynamics, streamlined operations, and built a culture of collaboration that inspired lasting change.

His story reminds us that resilience isn’t just about enduring challenges—it’s about using them as a springboard for greater impact.

💡 Immediate Action: Set a 2pm reminder today to try the 5-minute reset routine. Notice how it impacts your focus and decisions for the rest of the day.

Keep emulating excellence and eliminating excuses—it’s your winning season.

Warmly,
Jacqueline