Resilience can be developed and strengthened, and leaders have a role in creating an environment that fosters it.
Sharing experiences of grief and offering specific acts of help and support can foster connection and resilience in individuals.
Deep dives
Building Resilience: Overcoming Adversity and Finding Joy
The podcast episode features an interview with Facebook COO Cheryl Sandberg and Wharton professor Adam Grant, discussing their book Option B, which explores resilience in the face of adversity. Sandberg shares her personal experience of losing her husband and how that led to her interest in researching resilience. The authors emphasize that resilience is not fixed, but can be developed and strengthened. Sandberg highlights the importance of support and empathy from colleagues and offers insights on how leaders can create an environment that fosters resilience in their teams. They also discuss post-traumatic growth, finding meaning in difficult experiences, and the role of humor and learning from failure in resilience.
Support and Empathy: Breaking the Silence on Grief
After experiencing the loss of her husband, Sandberg discusses the isolation and difficulty of resuming normal life. She emphasizes the power of openly sharing experiences of grief, as it leads to connection and support. Sandberg describes the impact of friends and colleagues who acknowledged her loss and offered specific acts of help and support instead of avoiding the topic. The authors urge individuals to reach out to others and provide empathy during times of hardship.
Leadership and Resilience: Creating a Supportive Culture
Sandberg reflects on her own leadership style and how her personal tragedy has shaped her approach. She emphasizes the importance of providing flexibility and understanding to employees facing personal hardship. Sandberg also highlights the significance of building up and recognizing the contributions of employees as they navigate difficult times, rather than focusing solely on the challenges they are facing. Additionally, the authors advocate for organizations to create a culture of resilience by encouraging open discussions about failure, providing support systems, and learning from setbacks.
Resilience and Growth: Finding Strength in Adversity
The concept of post-traumatic growth is explored, which suggests that individuals can experience personal growth and positive changes after going through difficult times. Sandberg shares examples of how people have found strength, appreciation, deeper relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose following adversity. The authors discuss strategies for building resilience, such as learning from failure, creating routines, and embracing humor. They also emphasize the importance of fostering resilience in children and the need for societal support for all individuals facing hardship.
Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg talks about returning to work after her husband’s death, and Wharton management and psychology professor Adam Grant discusses what the research says about resilience. In this joint interview, they talk about how to build resilience in yourself, your team, and your organization. They’re the authors of the new book, "Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy."
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