Making sure you have strong people helps you build a strong company
What organization hasn’t faced some kind of crisis? Eventually, your business will be likely forced to deal with at least one.
It is also important to consider that everyone in your workforce—including yourself—will face personal and public crises, from mental health issues to social erosion to the impact of inflation.
An Aflac study shows that 59% of workers have reached the burnout tipping point. And a recent Mercer survey found that 81% of all workers are at risk of burning out. How well you address those problems is critical to the organization’s future.
Stress can negatively impact everyone and can lead to diminished physical health, poor mental health, and an inability to focus which can result in reduced engagement and productivity.
Recovering from any crisis takes resilience. It affects how fast and how well you get the business—and everyone who works there—headed in a positive direction.
What is resilience?
Resilience is how you successfully adapt to difficult or challenging situations by demonstrating mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility to adjust to external and internal demands. It enables individuals and organizations to better navigate the large and small stressors of their lives and work, which can result in greater job satisfaction, productivity, and happiness in the workplace.
Connections are essential to creating resilience
Large numbers of employees are leaving organizations because of mental health issues. A Skynova study shows 30% of employees resigned because they felt their employer lacked a regard for their mental health. McKinsey found that employees are 4 times more likely to quit if they feel under-served. In other words, it’s risky to avoid investing in your people or your culture.
Improving interpersonal relationships and developing stronger connections within the organization is one of the essential elements in developing foundational resilience. Research also demonstrates that focusing intentionally on building strong relationships at work has a powerful impact on other strategic initiatives designed to support business success. (HBR 2022/NIH 2022)
A supportive culture empowers resilience in the face of crisis
A poor corporate culture can exacerbate problems. If your culture is saddled with bureaucracy, chaos, and disrespect or is complacent, cut-throat, and does everything possible to avoid honest conflict, it can harm the health of your business culture by 15% – 22% according to a study done by research firm i4cp.
A resilient culture that provides your business and your people with the ability to adapt and cope is an essential part of being resilient and allowing you to recover from whatever crisis you might face.
What is a resilient culture?
After years of observing and working with organizations on their culture, we believe a resilient culture is one that intentionally provides individuals with resources, knowledge, and skills to withstand the often stressful onslaught of any crisis affecting the business. It’s where employees feel connected—to each other, the organization, and a shared purpose. And it’s an environment that allows employees to feel prepared for the reality that demands on the business as well on them can ultimately shift.
A healthy, resilient culture can actually boost performance
Resilient cultures help companies be as much as 6 times more productive, according to i4cp. Their studies have confirmed that the highest-performing cultures produce higher employee engagement, more active employee referrals, better collaboration, higher rates of internal transfers and re-hires, and even high rates of employee well-being.
A strong culture that can withstand challenges is also something that can’t be faked. You can’t simply say you have a great culture or change a few rules or toss in an extra benefit or two. That might work short-term but it can likely cause long-term problems, especially if a crisis occurs.
Three ways to begin building a resilient culture
- Define your business case. Purpose is what propels you forward. Clarity on why resilience matters to your organization can help gain buy-in across the organization.
- Conduct a current assessment on the state of your culture. Take a deep dive into what you’re already doing, how well it’s working, and where the opportunity for positive change exists.
- Take action. Incorporate tactics to improve employee resilience into your employee experience. Integrate resilience measures into your strategic plan to allow this focus to become a part of the culture and the way your operate.
MMA can do a “resilience assessment” and help you build a more resilient culture
If you want to know more about building resiliency into your culture, check out these resources:
- Download our free Mental Health Toolkit
- Center for Workplace Mental Health offers a deeper dive into the topic of resilience, as well as other related resources
- Marsh McLennan Agency’s Social Well-Being Playbook offers suggestions for building healthy relationships in the workplace
To learn more about how we can help you build relationships and resilience in the workplace, get in touch with your Marsh McLennan Agency culture and well-being team.
