Welcome back, Humanness Heroes. By “Humanness Heroes,” we refer to all of you who strive for more humanness by bringing empathy, support, and continuous learning into your teams and projects, uplifting the human side of delivery and performance.

In our last post, we explored how a Humanness-centered approach can complement Kotter’s Change Model, ensuring that change management is both practical and compassionate. Today, we continue our journey by examining two essential facets of human life: resilience and adaptability. These qualities are crucial for overcoming the inevitable challenges that life and work throw our way.

Life often throws us unexpected curveballs, but even in the face of these challenges, we need to find ways to persevere and press on as teams and individuals. Embracing humanness can help us do just that. In this post, we will delve into how fostering resilience and adaptability within project teams can lead to stronger, more cohesive units capable of overcoming any obstacle. We’ll illustrate this through two arcs: one where a team triumphs over a significant challenge and another where a team learns valuable lessons from failure, ultimately achieving success in subsequent projects. These arcs represent the journey of a team, highlighting the role of humanness in building resilience and adaptability.

Let’s dive into how humanness can build resilience and adaptability in our project teams.

Understanding Resilience and Adaptability

Imagine being part of a project team facing an insurmountable challenge. The deadline looms closer, resources are stretched thin, and a critical component has just failed. The weight of the project feels like it could crush you. Yet, in these moments, two qualities can make the difference between success and failure: resilience and adaptability.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks to maintain focus and determination even when things go wrong. It’s the mental toughness that keeps you going despite the odds. In a project team, resilience means staying motivated, supporting each other, and pushing through difficulties together (Ferrazzi 1). Some definitions of resilience will venture to say that resilience ultimately leads to achieving one’s (or the team’s) goal (Ferrazzi 1). However, I would posit that resilience is beyond achieving a goal or goals. My simple definition is this: when knocked down, you get back up and keep moving forward.

On the other hand, Adaptability is the capacity to pivot and adjust strategies as circumstances change. It is about being flexible in your approach and open to new solutions. An adaptable team can quickly respond to unexpected challenges, innovate on the fly, and keep the project moving forward (Cooks-Campbell 2).

These qualities are not just theoretical concepts but the lifeblood of successful project teams. They allow teams to navigate the chaos and uncertainty of complex projects, ensuring that setbacks are temporary and failures become learning experiences.

The Role of Humanness in Fostering Resilience and Adaptability

Humanness is at the core of building resilience and adaptability. It’s about recognizing and valuing the human aspects of your team—empathy, communication, support, and flexibility. These qualities, when nurtured, can significantly enhance a team’s ability to bounce back from setbacks and adjust strategies as circumstances change.

Empathy and Support: When team members understand and support each other, they build a safety net that catches anyone who stumbles. This collective empathy fosters resilience by ensuring that no one faces challenges alone.

Communication and Trust: Open and honest communication builds trust, a critical component for adaptability. When team members trust each other, they feel safe voicing concerns and suggesting changes, leading to more effective problem-solving.

Recognition and Encouragement: Celebrating small wins and encouraging each other boosts morale and resilience. When people feel appreciated, they are more likely to persevere through tough times.

Flexibility and Openness: A culture that values flexibility and openness to new ideas promotes adaptability. Teams that can think creatively and pivot quickly are better equipped to handle unforeseen changes.

Through the lens of humanness, resilience and adaptability are not just skills but part of a supportive and dynamic team culture. Let’s explore two compelling stories that illustrate how these qualities, fueled by humanness, can make a significant difference in project outcomes.

Fictional Arcs

Arc 1: Perseverance Pays Off – How GreenTech Overcame a Major Setback

At GreenTech Innovations, a team worked tirelessly on a groundbreaking renewable energy solution. Led by Emma, the project seemed on track until disaster struck. A critical software component failed, threatening to derail months of effort. With the deadline looming and stakeholders growing anxious, the team felt the pressure mounting.

Panic and frustration filled the room as Emma, the project leader, gathered everyone for an emergency meeting. The atmosphere was tense, voices were raised, and the fear of failure was palpable. Feeling the weight of the situation, Emma took a deep breath and began sharing a personal story of a past failure she had faced early in her career. She spoke about how she overcame it through perseverance and teamwork. Her vulnerability resonated with the team, and soon, other members shared their stories of overcoming personal and professional challenges. With this powerful moment of shared humanness, she brought the team closer, fostering a deep sense of solidarity.

Determined to turn things around, the team decided to draw on their individual strengths and collective wisdom. Alex, the lead developer, suggested a workaround based on a similar issue he had tackled in a previous job. Maya, the project analyst, proposed a revised timeline that included buffer periods for additional testing. The team collaborated intensively, working late hours and supporting each other through the stress.

Through sheer determination and the willingness to adapt, the team developed a new software solution that not only met but exceeded the original specifications. The project was completed on time, and the new renewable energy solution was launched successfully. The sense of accomplishment was palpable as the team celebrated their hard-earned victory, stronger and more cohesive than ever.

Arc 2: From Failure to Fortitude – BlueWave’s Path to Redemption

At BlueWave Solutions, another team was grappling with a different challenge. They were tasked with creating a state-of-the-art water purification system. Led by Carlos, the project faced a significant setback when the main filtration component failed during the final testing phase. Despite their best efforts, the team could not find a quick fix, and the project deadline was missed, resulting in disappointment and financial loss.

Heartbroken and frustrated, tears were shed as the team felt demoralized and began questioning their abilities. Carlos called a meeting to address the situation, but instead of assigning blame, he opened the floor for an honest discussion about what went wrong. Each team member shared their perspective on the project’s shortcomings, discussing issues such as inadequate testing protocols, communication breakdowns, and unrealistic timelines. Carlos encouraged the team to view this failure as a valuable learning opportunity, a stepping stone towards future success, rather than a defeat.

Armed with insights from their candid discussion, the team decided to overhaul their approach to project management. They implemented more rigorous testing procedures, improved internal communication channels, and set more realistic deadlines for future projects. They also established a culture of continuous feedback and improvement.

In their next project, the team applied these lessons and successfully developed an innovative irrigation system. The project was completed ahead of schedule and received acclaim for its efficiency and effectiveness. The team’s resilience and adaptability, honed through their earlier failure, had led to their triumph.

Critical Lessons From GreenTech and BlueWave

Though fictional, the stories of GreenTech Innovations and BlueWave Solutions highlight the importance of resilience and adaptability in project teams. Whether leading to success or navigating failure, these qualities are crucial for overcoming challenges and achieving growth. Here are key lessons drawn from these narratives:

Embrace Vulnerability and Shared Humanity

When team leaders share their personal stories of overcoming challenges, it fosters a sense of solidarity and collective strength. This vulnerability can inspire team members to support one another and face adversity together.

Leverage Collective Strengths

Drawing on team members’ individual strengths and experiences can lead to innovative solutions. Collaboration and mutual support are essential in navigating complex challenges.

Adapt and Pivot Quickly

Flexibility and openness to new ideas are critical for overcoming setbacks. Teams that can quickly adjust their strategies and embrace change are better equipped to handle unforeseen obstacles.

Reflect and Learn from Failure

Failure is not the end but a stepping stone to future success. Honest discussions about what went wrong, followed by actionable changes, can transform setbacks into valuable learning opportunities.

Implement Continuous Improvement

Establishing a culture of continuous feedback and improvement ensures that lessons learned are integrated into future projects. This proactive approach helps teams to grow stronger and more resilient over time.

Celebrate Small Wins

Remember this one! This has come up in past posts and shows how one cannot underestimate the power of celebrating. Recognizing and celebrating achievements, no matter how small, boosts morale and fosters a positive team environment. These moments of recognition reinforce resilience and motivate team members to keep pushing forward.

Build a Team of Learners

Encourage a growth mindset within the team. As Carol Dweck notes in her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, “The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. This is the mindset that allows people to thrive during some of the most challenging times in their lives” (3). Cultivating this mindset within your team helps build resilience and adaptability.

Foster Open Communication

Open and honest communication builds trust and ensures team members feel heard and valued. This trust is crucial for effective collaboration and problem-solving.

Maintain a Positive Outlook

Staying optimistic, even in the face of adversity, helps teams persevere. A positive outlook can be contagious and uplift the entire team, making it easier to tackle challenges confidently.

Support Each Other Emotionally

I challenge the notion (within reason) that the workplace is professional and has no room for “personal” matters. This forces an environment where everyone keeps a stiff upper lip and cannot be candid about what is really on the ground. As Jack Welch puts it in his book, Winning, a lack of candor basically blocks smart ideas, fast action, and good humans contributing all they got (4).

 Providing emotional support during tough times strengthens the team bond. Empathy and understanding create an environment where team members feel safe expressing their concerns and working together to find solutions.

And to Close…

As we have seen through the stories of GreenTech Innovations and BlueWave Solutions, embracing humanness is critical to building resilience and adaptability within project teams. Whether facing a significant challenge or reflecting on lessons learned from failure, these qualities will enable you to navigate adversity, grow stronger, and achieve success.

Resilience is about bouncing back from setbacks and maintaining a positive outlook, while adaptability involves being flexible and open to new approaches. You can cultivate these qualities in your team by fostering a culture that values empathy, support, and continuous learning.

Don’t let mistakes and setbacks tear you down. Instead, use them as opportunities to learn, grow, and strengthen your team. Embrace your humanness, support each other, and stay resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges.

In our next post, we will explore how humanness plays a crucial role in creating a supportive culture. We will discuss how a workplace that acknowledges humanness can reduce turnover, build loyalty, and become a place where everyone wants to be. Stay tuned for more insights on fostering a compassionate and effective work environment.

References:

1. Keith Ferrazzi, Mary-Clare Race, and Alex Vincent. January 21, 2021. 7 Strategies to Build a More Resilient Team. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2021/01/7-strategies-to-build-a-more-resilient-team
2. Allaya Cooks-Campbell. October 19, 2022. Adaptability in the workplace: Defining and improving this key skill. Better Up. https://www.betterup.com/blog/adaptability
3. Carol S. Dweck. 2006. Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
4. Jack Welch. 2005. Winning