It’s tough out there. Reorganisations, redundancy fears, revolutionary technological advances and reticence to commit to budgets. These are all Rs that are impacting on our daily working lives. But there is also an important R we need, to help maintain our well-being through these turbulent times, and that’s resilience. You might feel some people just seem to be more resilient than others, but in reality, it’s something we practice, rather than a trait. We can all therefore benefit from considering how we improve our personal resilience.

Resilience isn’t always about standing strong; it’s about being able to bend in the prevailing storms life throws at us. Absorbing the hits and still continuing with focus and purpose. When phrases like ‘there is nothing as constant as change’ and ‘uncertainty is the only certainty’ are becoming fair reflections of our working environment, resilience becomes more of a professional necessity. So how do we grow our own resilience?

Maintaining clarity of purpose is an essential component for resilience. It provides a strong anchor when things are getting rough. Having a strong ‘why’ can help energise us to navigate those ‘what now?’ moments. It’s worth being clear within yourself about your own professional purpose and regularly recognise what impact you have had, however small.

Resilience thrives through personal connections with others. We can draw huge strength from others: from friends, family and colleagues who listen without judgment; from teams that celebrate small wins, and from networks that remind us we’re not alone. Building good networks both within and outside your organisation means they are there when you need them. Joining external sessions, business groups and events can support you in this goal, by giving the opportunity to hear and interact with others you may not normally get to meet.

My column last month was about speaking up, and that is so important for resilience. The most resilient workplaces are the ones where people feel safe to speak up, share concerns and ask for help.

We need to build a resilient mind set, so we are able to adapt – able to reframe the challenges faced and be innovative in our approach. It’s not about pretending everything’s fine; it’s about asking, “What can we try instead?” When faced with AI disruption, budget freezes or shifting priorities, it’s those who can quickly adapt, who don’t just survive, that often lead the way forward.

Being conscious of our own well-being is important for resilience too. Resilience is not about endurance – working longer hours or taking on more stress. In fact, it’s more about knowing when to step away and when to seek support. Resilience comes from setting your own boundaries. Sometimes this needs to be a daily ritual to help us switch off and start to relax, such as a walk, gym visit, listening to music, reading or socialising with friends. It’s also important to recognise when others are perhaps failing to do so, and helping them with their own resilience.

Reflection, as an individual or a team, is key to learning and developing. With a pause to reflect and learn, our resilience also grows. It can help transform a set-back into a stepping stone, and enable us to move forward with greater insight and confidence.

Alongside reflection is the need for recognition. In the fast-paced environments in which we all work, it’s easy to overlook the quiet acts of perseverance. The team that delivers against the odds, the individual that kept the project going – all need to be recognised and celebrated for their resilience. In turn, this helps embed resilience in the team or corporate culture, and thus helps to drive future success.

In these times of uncertainty, good resilience isn’t just helpful, it’s vital. But it’s not something we either have or we don’t have. It’s something we build, moment by moment, choice by choice. By anchoring ourselves in purpose, connecting with others, adapting in the face of challenges, protecting our energy, reflecting deeply and recognising our efforts, we can stay grounded, even when the ground keeps shifting.

So, in times when the Rs are stacking up, it’s worth remembering that the R that can make the difference isn’t just about helping you bounce back – it’s also about bouncing forward.