Resilience isn’t something you’re born with. It’s built. It’s tested. And sometimes, it’s shattered before you rebuild it even stronger.
Resilience was essential to my survival as a police officer. The job exposed me to the very best and worst of humanity. I saw people at their lowest moments, dealt with trauma daily, and had to make life-altering decisions in a split second. Sometimes I questioned whether I could keep going, but I did. In doing so, I learned lessons about resilience that have stayed with me long after I left the force.
» READ MORE: Police speakers from PepTalk.
Five Tips For Resilience
Today, working with leaders in boardrooms instead of frontline officers on the streets, I see that resilience is just as critical in business, leadership, and workplace wellbeing. The pressure might come from different sources, but the ability to withstand adversity, adapt, and keep moving forward is universal.
Here’s what policing taught me about resilience and how you can apply these lessons to leadership, crisis management, and building a thriving workplace culture.
1. Resilience is Built in the Tough Moments, Not the Easy Ones
No one builds resilience when things are going well. It’s forged in the moments that test you. In policing, those moments came thick and fast.
In leadership, resilience is built in the face of setbacks; when a deal falls through, a strategy fails, or a crisis hits. The key isn’t to avoid these challenges but to face them head-on, reflect, and come back stronger.
2. You Can’t Control Everything, But You Can Control How You Respond
One of the hardest lessons I learned was that no matter how much you plan, you can’t control every outcome. I could do everything by the book at an incident, but I couldn’t control how others would react. That realisation was tough, but it also set me free. I stopped wasting energy on things outside my control and focused on what I could do, my actions, my decisions, my mindset.
Leaders always face uncertainty, including market shifts, economic downturns, and unexpected crises. The most resilient leaders focus on what they can influence. Instead of panicking about external forces, they ask, "What can I do right now?" "What’s my next best step?" Resilience comes from focusing on the controllable.
3. Emotional Resilience Matters as Much as Physical Resilience
Policing takes a toll, not just physically but mentally. I saw colleagues burn out because they ignored the emotional weight of the job. I did the same for years, thinking resilience meant pushing through and suppressing how I felt. But true resilience isn’t about burying emotions; it’s about processing them, seeking support, and coming back stronger.
In business, leaders who ignore emotional resilience don’t last. Stress, burnout, and pressure will eat away at even the most capable people. Prioritising mental wellbeing, having open conversations, and knowing when to step back is just as important as pushing forward.
» DON’T MISS: PepTalk’s top resilience experts.
4. Teams Thrive When They Have Each Other’s Backs
I was never alone on the frontline. No matter how tough the situation, I knew my team had my back. That trust, that sense of camaraderie, made all the difference. It allowed us to face challenges head-on, knowing we weren’t doing it alone.
In the workplace, the same principle applies. Resilient organisations aren’t built on individual strength alone, they’re built on collective resilience. When teams trust each other, support one another, and create a culture where people feel safe to speak up and take risks, the whole organisation becomes stronger.
5. Adaptability is the Foundation of Resilience
Policing taught me that plans change in an instant. You can walk into a situation expecting one thing and be faced with something completely different. The best officers aren’t just those who stick to protocol; they’re the ones who adapt, think on their feet, trust their gut and adjust as needed.
In leadership, resilience is about adaptability. Businesses that survived the toughest times embraced this trait. The same goes for individuals. The more you can pivot, adjust, and rethink your approach, the more resilient you become.
Resilience isn’t about being tough all the time. It’s about knowing when to push forward and when to step back. It’s about adapting, learning, and knowing that setbacks don’t define you, how you respond to them does.
💡 Would you like to explore resilience with an expert speaker? Let us know, and we’ll find the perfect PepTalk expert for your organisation. Email us at hello@getapeptalk.com or send us a message via the chat. You can also call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US). Remember, it’s always a good time to get a PepTalk.
