Resilience is vital for navigating the complexities of your career! Check out the Coaching Actuaries team's six tips for building resilience, featuring input from our team members, Jonathan Poppe, Fred Brautigam, and Andrew Carter.
Resilience is a must in today’s dynamic professional landscape. Especially in the early stages of your career, you need to withstand challenges and turn setbacks into victories.
In the years ahead, you might encounter hurdles ranging from organizational restructuring and job insecurity to career transitions. Even a promotion—a sign of your success!—can lead to anxiety.
Thankfully, you can cultivate your resilience early on. To gather these six tips on building resilience in your career, we consulted three experts at Coaching Actuaries:
- Fred Brautigam, Coach and Actuarial Analyst
- Andrew Carter, Director of Engineering
- Jonathan Poppe, VP of Operations and Business Development
1. Never stop learning.
The first way to build resilience is to embrace learning. You should also show others that you’re open to creating new skills.
Learning, says Jon, ensures that you “don’t let yourself become obsolete in your field.” He advises “looking ahead to areas where you can grow” and “taking on new challenges.” This will ensure you’re on top of industry trends.
“I have seen several colleagues whose careers stalled because they were deemed not teachable,” says Jon. “They did not adapt to change, and they did not learn or adopt new skills. This behavior and not being a good team player can be very career-limiting.”
Andrew echoes Jon’s sentiment, emphasizing the need to “grow your skills in ways that are in demand.” Doing so proactively will ensure you’re ready to overcome new obstacles.
2. Cultivate a strong network.
Ever heard the phrase “it’s all about who you know”? It’s true! In times of need, an old connection can become a new opportunity.
That’s why you should invest time in building a robust community of support. “Maintain your professional network,” recommends Andrew, “and make meaningful connections with people in your profession outside of your organization.”
When Jon faced difficult situations in his career, he was ready, he says, because “I had worked to network and build relationships with other divisions and other companies who may be hiring or would be an even better fit for what I wanted to do long-term.”
Building connections can also be a source of reassurance, says Fred, advising you to reach out and “listen to others who’ve been through unexpected changes.” You might just benefit from their wisdom, insights, and guidance.
3. Understand the “why.”
When you’re facing a big change, whether you’ve been laid off or your organization has restructured, try to focus less on the impact on you and more on the underlying reasons for the change. That can help you gain perspective.
In a restructuring, for example, Fred recommends asking yourself, “What is the impetus? Is the company’s hand being forced because it is underperforming? Has management made bad decisions and this is the result? If so, perhaps that’s a sign that you should start looking elsewhere.”
Following this thought process puts the ball back in your court, says Fred, and gives you control over what happens next.
“I’ve seen a lot of restructuring in my career, especially during my 20-year tenure at Hewlett-Packard,” says Jon. In those situations, Jon tried to “realize that with change comes opportunity, and I have prepared myself for change” by learning and being a team player.
4. Stay calm and be prepared.
It’s important to prepare in advance and maintain a positive mindset to help yourself overcome adversity.
Andrew advises you to "have a plan and a network to fall back on," which positions you to capitalize on new opportunities. “The best way to stay calm is to be prepared beforehand,” says Andrew. “This can create a safety net that can help tamp down your anxiety.”
Jon recommends “preparing ahead so that you can be proactive with your options based on your personal goals.” That could mean updating your resume regularly, nurturing relationships with potential employers, and continually assessing your skills and aspirations to see where you want to go.
“You can also consider what others have done in similar situations,” says Fred. “Michael Jordan was cut from his junior varsity team. He used that outcome to practice his jump shot, not give up. Remind yourself that this is just the beginning of a new path, not the end of the journey.”
5. Overcome impostor syndrome.
You might experience impostor syndrome soon after a great success, such as getting a promotion or being hired at a new employer. It’s a common feeling, and even professionals in the C-suite feel it. “Everyone struggles with impostor syndrome at some point, including me,” says Andrew.
If you face impostor syndrome, “remember that someone important was confident enough in your demonstrated ability to entrust you with the role,” Andrew adds. “To bolster my confidence, I find it helpful to reflect back on challenges I have overcome in the past.”
When you are promoted or hired somewhere new, remember that “you’ve been chosen for this role because of the skills and qualities you bring to the table,” says Fred. “You are the right fit because people have decided you are, so focus on your strengths and use areas for growth as opportunities to improve, not just as tools for negative self-talk and doubt.”
“You’re getting promoted because you understood what the new position required, and you were ready to face those challenges,” adds Jon. “That doesn't mean you had all the skills but had the understanding, plan, and attitude to learn them. Also, your employer should support you in this new role with mentors and training.”
6. Take care of yourself.
Finally, you can build your resilience by focusing on what matters most, including your well-being and your relationships with others.
“Take care of yourself personally,” says Andrew. “Keep physically active, take care of your mental health … It is wise to also invest in strong, meaningful non-professional personal relationships as well. Make sure to build strong connections with family and those most important to you.”
“My faith and the support of my family have been a constant source to keep me grounded,” says Jon. “Don't let your career, title, or anything else define you. Who you are on the inside and what you believe will keep you in perfect peace amid life's storms, which are guaranteed to come.”
In summary, resilience is vital for navigating the complexities of your career. Embrace learning, build networks, understand change, stay prepared, combat impostor syndrome, and prioritize self-care. You can navigate challenges with grace and emerge stronger.