Over the past weeks, I have examined two different types of stress that can impact our resilience quotient (click here to read). In doing so, I have affirmed that stress is a tough task-master that can adversely impact our ability to “bounce back” and to energetically pursue our leadership responsibilities. This ability to recover is also known as our “resiliency.”
In exploring ways to deal positively with these factors, I have explored a program that the US Air Force has developed to address the issue of resiliency at its Airman Leadership School. Now also attended by graduates of the FBI National Academy and others serving in high stress Public Safety positions, the curriculum seeks to prepare attendees to exercise positive approaches that can increase a person’s resilience. I believe that these principles apply to any high voltage leadership role.
This training is called the “Comprehensive Officer Resilience Program.” It addresses four areas of a person’s life that affect how they experience and relate to others (and themselves) with the goal of becoming a more resilient individual.
The topics include Mental, Physical, Social, and Spiritual fitness. The premise is that people are not born resilient; rather, they need to learn resilience through life experience and training in each of these areas of their life.
In the next several weeks I will review each of the life-domains addressed by this program and seek to glean insights for those who are in leadership roles – the goal, as ever, is to deepen our leadership capacity as we grow in our courage to lead.
Photo Credit: Byron Johnson