Description
Our working lives are full of challenges. Some we generate ourselves, such as wanting a new job, and others are externally generated, such as being the victim of workplace bullying. Both sorts of situations require resilience to manage them effectively. Yet natural levels of resilience vary significantly. How one person responds to redundancy, for example, may differ greatly from someone else, as they are two individuals bringing variable experiences and expectations to the situation.
Adopting a cognitive behavioural approach to moving beyond ‘learned helplessness’, and drawing on mindful awareness of thoughts, feelings and behaviours, Resilience at Work draws on plentiful case studies, self-assessment exercises and a journaling approach to improve skills and performance in areas such as confidence, communication, managing change and nurturing self-esteem.
Audience
Anyone looking to proactively strengthen their work-related resilience for increased confidence, better performance and improved wellbeing. Also: small business owners, high-stress occupation personnel (e.g. frontline workers, lawyers), and workplace wellbeing practitioners including HR consultants, trainers and coaches.
Author
Laurel Alexander is a coach, complementary therapist, supervisor and trainer with over thirty-five years’ experience helping adults to develop sustainable resilience in their personal and professional lives. She founded Wellness Professionals at Work in 2005, offering CPD opportunities and coaching qualifications, and was Director of Studies until 2022. She remains involved in a freelance capacity, but now runs an independent wellbeing coaching practice.
Laurel’s experience includes developing and delivering resilience and wellbeing courses and qualifications to corporate, retail, consumer, charity and NHS markets. She is a Fellow of the National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists and a member of the Association for Coaching, the Career Development Institute, the Society of Authors and the Guild of Health Writers.
She is the author of thirty-three books including Integrative Wellness Coaching (Jessica Kingsley, 2022) and
The Resilience Coaching Toolkit (Pavilion Publishing, 2017).
Details
Publisher: Pavilion Publishing and Media Ltd
ISBN: 9781803884196
Publication date: End of November 2024
Pages: 292
Content
1. Defining Work-Related Resilience
2. Developing Mindful Awareness
3. Moving Past Learned Helplessness
4. Managing Strong Emotions
5. Advancing Confidence and Self-Esteem
6. Assertive Communication
7. Viewing Problems as Opportunities
8. Fostering Self-Care
9. Thriving on Change
10. Stepping Into Holistic Resilience
11. Resilience Through Inclusion
12. Building Your Resilience Toolbox
13. Creating the Work-Related Resilience Action Plan
Appendix: Keeping a Work-Related Resilience Journal
End Words
Video
Watch a video of the author, Laurel Alexander talking about resilience at work. Download the speakers slides here.
Lucy Owens, Head of HR, OLM Systems –
Resilience at Work is an essential read for both employees and managers looking to enhance their professional growth. I enjoyed its interactive approach, featuring a series of self-assessment tasks that allow readers to engage with each chapter and apply the content to their own lives. The book does an excellent job of illustrating the key differences between resilient and non-resilient individuals. It not only highlights the traits of each but also provides actionable strategies for unlearning behaviours that might be holding you back.
Additionally, each section is accompanied by a thoughtful collection of additional resources. The practical tips and strategies offered are not only insightful but also easy to implement, making it a guide I will return to and share with my colleagues, especially my managers. Every chapter holds valuable lessons that can be applied in a variety of professional contexts. Resilience at Work will undoubtedly be a tool I rely on time and time again, both for my personal growth and in my role as Head of HR.