I have recently been asked by many clients to design a learning journey with a specific focus on resilience and what it means in 2024.  We can say that 2024 has brought with it a new set of challenges and opportunities for businesses in South Africa.  Amidst this dynamic corporate, economic, and political landscape, one factor remains constant - the importance of resilience.

According to Soanes and Stevenson (2004), resilience can be defined as being “able to withdraw or recover quickly from difficult conditions”.  Resilience draws from personal factors such as emotional regulation and adaptability and environmental factors such as social support (colleague and leader support).   

Resilience or the lack thereof has a direct impact on employees' mental health.  When an employee believes his or her abilities are not sufficient to cope with professional or personal demands placed on them, they struggle to be productive, and over the long term, this can lead to anxiety or burnout.    

Research has found that job resources such as leader support, organisational culture, communication, and performance feedback mediate the impact of work stress and increase the employees' ability to deal with work-related difficulties.  Support is seen to increase emotional resources such as resilience. 

However, with the shift towards remote and hybrid work models support needs to be redefined. It puts the spotlight on the leaders' ability to balance operational objectives with leading and building strong relationships in a hybrid world. 

In 2024, technology will play a crucial role in the workplace and the key sits in the leaders' ability to utilise technology in a way that reduces work demands and increases employee support.  Leaders will need to role model courage and step into change leveraging digital tools and platforms to facilitate communication, collaboration, and continuous learning.

In conclusion, resilience in the workplace is a key ingredient for success in 2024. It is not just about surviving challenges but also about leveraging them as opportunities for growth. As we move forward, the ability to adapt, learn, and bounce back will continue to be critical in navigating the ever-evolving world of work.