Constant empathy in leadership can quickly become a trap – you care about everyone else but yourself. Learn how emotional resilience helps you stay strong without burning out.
One of my previous articles was about how too much empathy burns you out as a manager in the long run. You take other people’s problems and make them your own. You want to save the whole world. You put other people’s needs and sensitivities before your own, you can’t set boundaries and you can’t stand up for yourself and your team.
It feels like everyone is walking all over you and you are exhausted and drained at the end of the day. The solution? Emotional resilience. Find out what it is and how it can save your life as a manager here.
What is emotional resilience?
Emotional resilience refers to the ability to not only survive difficult or stressful situations with the resources, but also to emerge from them stronger. Resilient people know their own needs, are clear about themselves, know what works and what doesn’t, set boundaries and know who they are. They don’t allow themselves to be intimidated by superiors, but stand up for themselves and their team. They know when and how to recharge their own batteries.
Emotional resilience is not always the same state! Rather, it is a skill that we can train – like a muscle – to react calmly in stressful situations!
Why is emotional resilience so important for you as an empathetic leader?
1. Dealing with pressure and stress
As a leader, you are often at the center of change, conflict and difficult decisions. The pressure to deliver results, make decisions under uncertain conditions and motivate your team at the same time can be extremely stressful.
Resilient leaders have the ability to manage this pressure without becoming hectic or overwhelmed. They remain clear- headed and act thoughtfully, even when external circumstances appear chaotic. Internally, they are clear.
2. Be a role model for your team
As a manager, you are a role model. Employees are strongly influenced by your attitude and behavior. As an emotionally resilient manager, you radiate calm, confidence and stability, which has a positive effect on the entire team. If you remain confident in crises, this also strengthens the resilience of your employees.
Your team will build trust especially when they are confident that you will keep a cool head when they are at a loss.
3. Overcoming crises and learning from them
Every organization will sooner or later face crises or setbacks. Whether economic uncertainty, technological changes or internal conflicts – crises are inevitable.
Emotionally resilient leaders are able to not only survive such crises, but also draw valuable lessons from them. They recognize difficulties as opportunities for further development and find innovative solutions.
4. Emotional intelligence and empathy
Emotional resilience is closely linked to emotional intelligence. Emotionally resilient leaders are able to regulate their own emotions while recognizing and understanding the emotions of others. They know when to show empathy and when to set clear boundaries in order to balance the well-being of the team and the achievement of company goals.
5. Long-term health and well-being
Emotional resilience not only helps you in acute stress situations, but also helps you stay healthy in the long term . Burnout and exhaustion are common side effects of ongoing stress in the professional environment. Emotionally resilient people develop strategies for internal stress management and consciously pay attention to their own physical and mental health.
Strengthening your emotional resilience is a win-win-win situation:
- Your team knows they can rely on you as a leader because you are genuinely interested in the needs and well-being of the members and are also a rock when things get turbulent.
- The company benefits because you and your team perform, achieve goals and contribute to the success of the whole.
- And most importantly, you benefit too! Because if you’re not feeling well, you’re stressed and you get sick, well, then it’s all pointless, right?
How can you strengthen your emotional resilience?
Emotional resilience is not an innate ability. You can consciously develop and strengthen this skill.
1. Self-reflection and mindfulness
Emotional resilience begins with a deep understanding of your own patterns, triggers, emotions and (un)conscious actions, among other things. Of course, it also helps to know your strengths and weaknesses. Mindfulness exercises, such as meditation and journaling, help you to become clear about your own thoughts and feelings and to treat yourself with care.
The better you know yourself, the better you can react in difficult situations and act more consciously! This also includes knowing your limits and knowing exactly when you need a break. And then allowing yourself this break with a clear conscience.
2. Focus on problem solving
Emotionally resilient leaders do not see problems as insurmountable obstacles, but as challenges for which there are solutions. A solution-oriented attitude helps to focus on what can be done in a crisis situation, rather than being paralyzed by negative thoughts.
3. Build and maintain networks
You can get support ! A strong network of colleagues, mentors and confidants can be a valuable support in difficult times. Managers should actively invest in building relationships based on trust and mutual support.
Who can you turn to if you don’t know what to do next or need someone to reflect on? Having a mentor or coach at your side can also be an option.
4. Self-care
Emotional resilience requires energy, and this energy does not come by itself. It is up to you to actively take care of your physical and mental health. Regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and a balanced diet are just as important as taking mental rest breaks and maintaining hobbies or a social life outside of work.
This can look different for everyone and is always easier said than done. Start with small steps. What gives you energy and strength? Where do you recharge your batteries?
5. Learning from setbacks
A key component of emotional resilience is the ability to learn from mistakes and setbacks. Emotionally resilient leaders don’t see failure as a defeat but as a learning opportunity. They analyze what went wrong, learn from it, and do better next time.
Putting yourself down doesn’t help anyone. It’s about changing your mindset: stop judging and condemning and start thinking about what you can learn from this and what you want to do differently next time. Cultivate a benevolent attitude towards yourself.
Empathic leaders need emotional resilience – at least if you want long-term success. Otherwise, you may burn out. And from my own experience, I know that the key to this lies within you! No matter how stormy things are outside, with the right tools, you will keep a cool head even in the most stressful crisis!
