JLBC Collective resiliency.
Studies show that people generally fall into three categories when faced with severe adversity: “those who were permanently dispirited by the event, those who got their life back to normal, and those who used the experience as
a defining event that made them stronger.” Resiliency is what allows people to be in this third category. The elasticity, durability, and adaptability make it possible to recover quickly from change, hardship, or misfortune and interpret setbacks as temporary and local. But resiliency is more than just “toughing it out.” Resilient people show an openness to learning that allows them to grow from disappointment and success.54 A student who receives a poor grade on a paper shows resiliency by meeting with the professor, receiving the professor’s feedback with a positive attitude, and incorporating this new learning into their next assignment. A combat unit that suffers heavy losses in
an engagement shows resiliency by establishing security, treating the wounded, reestablishing the chain of command, redistributing ammunition, and preparing for a counterattack. While NCOs concentrate on the resiliency of individual cadets, officers focus on unit resiliency.
Officers seek to establish what George Everly calls a “culture of resilience,” which manifests itself as a form of “psycho- logical immunity” to, or the ability to rebound from, the untoward effects of adversity. Through their leadership, officers can “tip” the organization toward resilience and serve as catalysts to increase group cohesion and dedication to the “mission.” They demonstrate optimism, decisiveness, integrity, and open communication.
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