There’s a story about an old ship that weathered countless storms. With each turbulent wave, the crew would spring into action, patching up cracks and tightening loose sails, learning from every storm how to navigate better. Over time, the ship didn’t just survive — it became a symbol of resilience. Building a resilient team in your organisation is a lot like steering that ship. It’s about preparing for challenges, adapting to them, and emerging stronger after each one.
I remember when I started up with my small team. We were ambitious, fueled by our dream of changing the world. But as anyone who’s been part of a growing organisation knows, the honeymoon phase doesn’t last forever. About six months in, we hit our first big roadblock. A major client pulled out because of a disagreement in values, and the blow was more than financial. We began doubting every aspect of what we had built. That was our storm.
So we called an all-hands meeting with everyone in the company. Instead of an elaborate discussion about the loss itself, I created space for a raw and honest discussion about how everyone felt about the decision to stand by our values despite knowing we’d lose the client. I’ll never forget my team member saying, “The truth is, we’re going to face more moments like this. If we don’t lose sight of why we are on the ship, I think we’ll make it. Resilience isn’t about avoiding these storms — it’s about learning to sail through them together.”
That moment was pivotal for us. It reframed the setback, not as a catastrophe, but as an opportunity. We divided the work that remained, pulling together as a team. People stepped into roles they had never imagined for themselves. One person, hired as our education specialist, suddenly became the de facto marketing project manager for a new client pitch. Another, who had mostly worked behind the scenes, started leading brainstorming sessions. We discovered skills we didn’t know we had, and more importantly, we learned to trust each other.
Looking back, I realise that resilience isn’t something you can instil in a team overnight. It’s built piece by piece, moment by moment. It’s built when you create an environment where people feel safe to take risks, where they know failure won’t be met with blame but with learning. It’s built when leaders lead by example, showing vulnerability and admitting they don’t have all the answers. And it’s built when teams celebrate small wins, not just the big ones, recognising the effort it takes to stay afloat when the waves get rough.
Today, that startup isn’t just surviving; it’s thriving. Many of the team members who were there during those tough times have moved on to other roles, but they often say it was the most formative experience of their careers. It’s not because everything went smoothly — far from it. It’s because they learned what they were capable of when things got tough. They learned that resilience is less about bouncing back and more about bouncing forward, stronger and wiser.
So, whether you’re leading a team through a challenging project, a market downturn, or the everyday complexities of work, remember the ship. Each storm you face together is an opportunity to strengthen your crew, to learn, and to grow. And one day, you’ll look back and realise you’ve built something unshakeable.
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