Resilience in the face of tough times
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
I don't know about you, but this past few months have been a roller coaster. Every time I open the news, I wish I never had. And we feel it in our day to day work.
The leaders I work with face new uncertainty and challenges at a much higher rate than before. As the world becomes more AI savvy, and the pressure mounts for organisations and leaders to do more with less , to go faster without stopping, to navigate never-ending noise, something quietly gets lost. We forget to breathe. We forget to pause. We forget to look up. And sometimes, we forget the beauty of being human.
When did you last stop long enough to actually notice how you were feeling? And what have you been carrying this year that you haven't yet named out loud?
This human experience, with all its mess and wonder, is something art has always been able to express so beautifully. And it offers so much beauty, and when we share it, we realise how much stronger we are. How deeply connected we are to the same challenges, the same fears, the same quiet longing for something more. And how much we are missing out on the beauty of life, if we never slow down long enough to notice it. The bittersweet beauty of all its ups and downs.
Why is it that the enduring stories always has the protagonist going through that moment when all the odds are against them? And it looks like the only sane thing to do is to give up. And then, they find some spark deep within them, that powers them to rise again, and overcome the villain.
Think about the last time something truly moved you: a piece of music, a painting, a poem. What did it stir in you? And what does it tell us, that across cultures and generations, we are all moved by the same things?
You may well be thinking, okay... but what does any of this have to do with leading?
Everything!
Leading is a lot like art. It is messy and uncertain, especially when you are in the middle of creating it. You rarely get to see the full picture while you're painting it. Leadership is like a dance , you need to be flexible, responsive, and willing to find the rhythm even when the music changes unexpectedly. It is like a painting, where the colours create a story and convey feelings that no memo ever could. And like music, it has its highs and lows, and the spaces in between, the pauses, the silences, often communicate so much more than the notes themselves.
So here is a question worth sitting with: if your leadership style were a piece of music right now, what would it sound like? Is that the sound you want to be making? And where might you be trying to paint with only one colour?
Art transcends words. It connects us, inspires purpose, and reminds us why what we do matters.
Which is why this beautiful spoken word poem by Maya Angelou is a reminder that resilience is not just putting your head down and getting through the day. It is not merely surviving. It is a resilience that is supersedes just being positive. It is the decision to rise,not because the path is easy, but because something in you refuses to stay down. It lifts you up, and in doing so, it lifts the people around you too. It requires digging in deep to find that hope and tenacity, and light to lift your head up.
That is what the best leaders do. That is what art does. And right now, the world needs both.
So take a moment to inspire yourself. Turn off the noise. Find your sense of hope. Lock into your purpose again, to re-energise you and refocus yourself.
Reflection on leadership
What would it look like to lead with more rhythm, to know when to move, and when to pause?
Who in your team needs you to slow down right now, and have you noticed?
What does rising look like for you, not just surviving, but truly rising?
What is the story you are telling yourself about the hard season you are in right now? Is it a story of endurance, or one of meaning?
Who lifts you up, and when did you last let them?
If you want to engage more in The Art of Leadership and more then sign up to our High Heels and Glass Ceilings Webinar. The first one happening on the 24th March, where we will be talking about The Art of Leadership and more. If you can't make this one, this is a monthly event, and we will be covering different topics about leadership in a fun, fresh, though-inspiring way.
Don't worry we will have one for all leaders (including men soon)
Written by Racheal Govender:
Racheal is an Organisational Psychologist, executive coach and facilitator of leadership programmes world wide. She focuses on equipping and building wise, and resilient leaders. The Sapient Space provides fun, fresh ways to learn, and most importantly connect and find community. We provide solutions for individuals as well as customised programmes for organisations.
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