Positive Leadership: Mental Toughness

British businesses are still beset by failure rates that look set to loom above pre-recession levels until 2015 at the earliest, according to the latest Industry Watch report by accountancy firm BDO. In the face of such turbulent economic times there is mounting pressure on companies to ensure their staff, and in particular managers and leaders, are armed with the necessary resilience to guide their organisations through the recession and onwards to a successful future.

Long associated with elite sportsmen and women, mental toughness is a concept that is increasingly in demand among organisations under pressure to survive, grow and succeed.

Here are some thoughts on how to go about developing mental toughness:

Challenge

Work with someone else to help you review and prioritise your work, especially when things are changing quickly. Time management tools and techniques could help you be better organised.

Commitment

Take time to understand the people around you – their strengths and weaknesses. Play to their strengths and don’t expect things that they can’t reasonably deliver. Recognise contributions from others and give praise where it’s due.

Control

Start you next piece of work with a colleague – share the challenge and the problems! Relaxation techniques, such as breathing exercises or yoga could help you cope more effectively with stress.  Remind yourself that what you do really does matter – identify the benefits of what you do.

Confidence

Praise yourself when you achieve – and seek every opportunity to do so. Change your work environment temporarily to set new challenges. Find ways to make sure that if you have something to say you say it! Get a mentor. List five positives about yourself and work with a manager, friend or colleague to identify these.

Positive Leadership: Mental Toughness