The Spanish Royal Academy (RAE for its acronym in Spanish) defines resilience as "The capacity to assume limited situations with flexibility and overcome them". Psychology, as a discipline, adds something more. It is not only due to resilience not only enables us to face crises or potentially traumatic situations, but also helps us to emerge stronger from them. From the year 1999-2000, the concept was transferred to youth work.
It is not clear if resilience is an innate quality of people or something that is acquired, but it seems to be a mix of factors that help a person to overcome adverse situations. People who developed resilient skills, potentially had qualities from which they emerged stronger. In psychological terms, their "I", their personality structure, emerged stronger. In other words, living through a painful, adverse situation makes us feel that we not only suffered something, but that we were able to overcome it; this feeling makes us feel much stronger in character.
Resilient people:
1. Can overcome the adversities they have experienced.
2. Are capable of restructuring their psychological resources. They emerge stronger.
3. Can use adverse situations to grow.
4. Can develop their potential to their maximum.
5. Draw on all the resources available to them.
6. Have a more optimistic view of reality.
We have all lived through adverse situations at some point in life and obeyed the rules of what is called resilience factors. In other words, we all harbor this potential. In some people, resilience takes longer to manifest than in others; but we are all potentially resilient.
Is it possible to enhance my resilience? Yes, by changing some of our habits and beliefs to face challenges in life. We are capable of changing principles that seemed inexorable to us.
Resilient Leadership
"It involves the courage to act, the desire to take responsibility for decisions made, regardless of the outcome, and the ability to build trust and loyalty through full commitment".
Assuming responsibility for the decisions made always imposes a value. For example, let’s think about the development of our children and youth while walking toward adulthood: What do we consider as a structured maturing process? What do we ask of children or teenagers and those who make up our environment? Answer: They take responsibility for their decisions.
Leadership must have these qualities. Although we are adults, it is difficult for us to assume responsibility or that we are wrong. The leader generates confidence when he or she recognizes his mistakes and assumes his/ her responsibilities. Another element of resilient leadership is a commitment to integrity. That is, to behave according to one's principles and values. A person who loses himself in others cannot lead. He ceases to be a leader and becomes a feather in the wind.
Characteristics of a Resilient Person
1. They are aware of their potential and limitations. They know their main strengths and weaknesses, as well as their limitations to set more objective goals. The leader must be able to tolerate frustration. The leader, when choosing to lead certain paths and not others, will find steps that close and discourage him. However, the leader finds ways to keep moving forward.
2. They have confidence in their abilities. They trust in what they are capable of doing and achieving. They do not close in on themselves, and they know how to ask for help when necessary. They can maintain an emotional and physical distance from the situation, without isolating themselves from the world. They are empathetic and are not led by their own convictions.
3. They assume difficulties as an opportunity to learn and grow.
4. They are people whose past is not a source of guilt, and the future does not stun them with its share of uncertainty.
5. They see life objectively through an optimistic prism.
6. They surround themselves with people who have a positive attitude, know how to cultivate friendships, and avoid "emotional vampires".
7. They don't control situations, they control their emotions. They know that it is impossible to control everything and there for find ways of dealing with uncertainties.
8. They are flexible in the face of change and are able to adapt their plans to new goals. They are willing to evaluate different alternatives.
9. They are tenacious in their purposes. Being flexible does not mean giving up on goals but rather, they persevere against all odds.
10. They face adversity with humor. They are capable of making a joke out of their misfortunes. Laughter is their best ally.
11. They are creative, an aspect which helps them to transform painful experiences into something beautiful or useful.
12. They seek help from others and social support. They are aware of the importance of social support, and of seeking help when they go through a potentially traumatic event.
Conclusions
There are no simple recipes in social work or education with disadvantaged people to enhance resilience. However, it has been proven that when intervention is based on healthy and normal aspects, on the most substantial points rather than on deficiencies and weaknesses, a positive outlook is deposited in those affected. This makes them believe in their possibilities.