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Resilience: Inner Strengths and Interpersonal Strengths

September 2, 2008

From: Thomas, R. J. (2008). Crucibles of leadership: how to learn from experience to become a great leader. Boston: Harvard Business Press.

Inner Strengths

Two sources of strength - internal and interpersonal - make resilience possible.

• A strong, supple sense of self-esteem
• A high level of personal discipline and a sense of responsibility
• Recognition and development of one's special gifts and talents
• Creativity: open-mindedness, receptivity to new ideas, willingness to dream
• A wide range of interests
• A keen sense of humor
• High tolerance for distress
  
• Focus and a commitment to life
• Faith: a philosophical and spiritual framework within which personal experiences can be interpreted and understood with meaning and hope, even at life's seemingly most helpless moments

Interpersonal Strengths

• Independence of thought and action, without being unduly reluctant to rely on others
• The ability to give and take in human interactions
• A well-established network of family and friends, including one or more who serve as confidants
• The willingness and skill to let go of resentments and forgive others as well as yourself
• Proficiency in setting limits
• Healthy self-interest
• Freedom from one's own selfishness and protection against the selfishness of others
• Generosity
• The ability to easily give and receive love (Thomas, 2008, p. 45-46).

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Created: 2008-12-06, Updated: 2009-01-08