Corporate resilience - a lesson best learnt outside

The horizon for British business has changed forever.

This historic and momentous recalculation - caused by the rise of AI, the climate crisis and geopolitical uncertainty - continues to test both resilience and agility across every industry sector.

With such qualities needing to be forged at speed in an attempt to survive, the question we want to ask you is:

How are you inspiring and fostering resilience in your business and in your people?

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still being identified, managed, and mitigated. Over a period of months, we became remote workers, hybrid teams, and flexible employers. The challenge of keeping everyone aligned and working towards a shared vision has never been more difficult. So, how can a retreat at The Bioasis provide the necessary skills to help in this next stage of evolution for your business? Let’s unpack these qualities in detail before we reveal the exciting opportunity we offer business owners, c-suite executives, and HR professionals like you.

Walking in nature is one of the best ways to improve innovation, team communication and wellbeing, which all organisational resilience.

What is business resilience?

Perhaps the most important place to start is defining what we mean by resilience. This was the result of our search; “resilience is a company’s ability to prepare for, withstand, adapt to, and recover quickly from disruptions”. In truth, the pandemic provided the perfect opportunity to test resilience - in ways that we could never have imagined. The changing economic climate, the increasing fragility and importance of mental health, along with the substantial threats to our standard of living create a new test-bed for the next generation of businesses. We need to focus our investment in our people - it’s their ability to be resilient that unlocks your future productivity and, perhaps more importantly, profitability.

Why are we struggling with resilience?

Quite simply - we’re tired out and overworked! Our teams are working harder and longer than ever before, short-cutting our wellbeing commitments by developing AI tools that only increase our capacity for more work. Remote and hybrid teams are experiencing zoom fatigue, disconnection, and a lack of productivity. Leaders and business owners are struggling to work “on” the business because they’re still too involved “in” the business, making long term strategies and sustainable solutions harder to formulate and implement.

Understanding and connecting with nature brings your team ideas and fresh innovation.

How can you build resilience in your people?

As the driving force behind your business, the people working at each level, in every role, and especially those in positions of leadership, really need to cultivate this important quality.

So how can you show up for your people everyday and inspire true, lasting resilience?

1. Create a strong and supportive network - offer your people the tools and resources that can help to improve wellbeing and balance. This might include flexible working, set days at home, mentorship programs, or employee benefit schemes that include services such as counselling and therapy. Having this on hand makes people feel valued, supported, and creates opportunity for healthy and open discussion.

   
   

2. Communicate a clear and inspirational purpose - your people will benefit from understanding how their contribution makes an impact on the direction and success of your business. Make sure they understand your vision, and encourage them to share how their skills and experience can achieve your business goals.

   
   

3. Encourage problem solving - during the pandemic, teams were forced to become flexible and resourceful overnight. This adaptability is a real strength, so create opportunities for your people to engage problem solving techniques to every day challenges. When they encounter logistic challenges in their personal lives such as sick relatives, childcare issues, and financial stress, they’ll have a more positive approach to these challenges. If you can be flexible to meet these changing needs, you foster an environment where trust and loyalty can grow.

   
   

4. Build trust - be open and honest about the unique challenges facing your industry, and how this might impact the running of your business. Maintain responsible leadership, demonstrate positive behaviours in your own actions, and demonstrate how you handle frustrations with the support of those around you. Encouraging opportunities to show up for each other can really build on trust and excellent team work.

   
   

5. Be optimistic (but avoid toxic positivity) - to boost morale and improve overall positivity within your team, focus on how you communicate difficult news, whether you set aside quality time with those who are experiencing personal or professional difficulty, and encourage individuals to spend time on things they can control - instead of feeling anxious about things outside of their remit. Positive, meaningful, and regular communication with each individual can improve their outlook and increase productivity.

And breathe…

We believe that in times of burnout, fatigue, and overwhelm, the best thing to do is - take a step back and regroup.

Why?

In an 2023 NHS report, it was revealed that “amongst the top health benefits people reported from getting outdoors[1] were improved mood (75%), immune benefits (36%), sleeping more soundly (28%) and feeling less stressed (38%)”.

Just imagine how a simple 48 hours out of the boardroom could transform your c-suite executives and HR professionals. 

With our experienced expedition leaders as a guide, you can explore stronger leadership techniques, build stronger relationships with the members of your team/board, and develop your goals and strategies for success in the future. Resilience becomes more embedded in your culture through shared experiences that encourage self reliance, while also building trust with those working around you. 

When you put physical distance between you and the working environment, you create an opportunity for more innovative thinking and a greater perspective. Natural environments restore cognitive capacity, enabling deeper thought, connection, and reasoning. 

To start building resilience in your business and instilling this important skill within your team, it’s time to leave the boardroom and discover the power of nature.

Are you ready to have your creativity unleashed?

Join us on a company retreat this summer to find out.