In a recent Goodmorning BSN webinar, Hansatu Adegbite, a Women Economic Empowerment Specialist, shared her insights on the importance of resilient leadership for peak performance. As an accomplished leader with extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, Hansatu provided a comprehensive view of what it takes to lead effectively in a challenging environment.
Understanding Resilient Leadership
Resilient leadership, as defined by Hansatu, involves the capacity to withstand and quickly recover from difficulties. This is crucial in a world filled with economic, political, and global challenges. According to a Forbes study she referenced, only 25% of executive leaders worldwide focus on leading with resilience, highlighting a significant gap in leadership practices.
Hansatu emphasised that resilient leaders must have strategic clarity and the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. She illustrated this with an example from the Seven-Up Bottling Company, which pivoted from producing carbonated drinks to manufacturing hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This strategic shift not only kept the company afloat but also made it a market leader in hand sanitizers in Nigeria.
Resilient leaders lead with calmness, clarity, and conviction above all things.
Hansatu Adegbite
The Role of Emotional Intelligence
Hansatu highlighted the critical role of emotional intelligence in resilient leadership. Leaders must develop sensitivity and empathy to understand and support their teams effectively. This involves being aware of the emotional and psychological states of team members and addressing their needs to maintain high morale and productivity.
Innovative Thinking and Adaptability
Resilient leadership also requires innovative thinking and the ability to pivot strategies as needed. Hansatu shared how her organisation anticipated changes by hiring an ICT expert years before the pandemic, which positioned them well to adapt to the sudden shift to digital operations during COVID-19. This foresight and adaptability are essential traits of resilient leaders.
Building a Collaborative Environment
Hansatu stressed the importance of fostering a collaborative environment where all team members feel valued and heard. Inclusive leadership encourages contributions from diverse perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions and stronger team cohesion. She noted that some of the most successful initiatives in her career came from ideas contributed by team members who were not in leadership positions.
Practical Strategies for Resilient Leadership
- Inclusive Leadership: Encourage contributions from all team members, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering a collaborative environment.
- Emotional Intelligence: Develop sensitivity and empathy to understand and support your team effectively.
- Adaptability: Be prepared to pivot strategies and embrace innovation in response to new challenges.
- Focus on Strengths: Leverage both your strengths and those of your team, while managing weaknesses effectively.
- Self-Care: Prioritise physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being to maintain high energy levels and resilience.
Hansatu’s Personal Journey
Hansatu shared her own experiences in leading through adversity, highlighting the importance of maintaining calmness, clarity, and conviction. She stressed the need for leaders to be emotionally balanced, avoid burnout, and continuously seek new ways to inspire and influence their teams.
Hansatu also underscored the importance of playing to one’s strengths and those of the team. By focusing on what works well and managing weaknesses, leaders can drive performance and foster a positive organisational culture. She shared her approach to problem-solving, viewing challenges as opportunities and learning from both successes and failures.
The critical role of resilient leadership in achieving peak performance is evident. By adopting these strategies, leaders can navigate complex situations, drive performance, and create a positive, adaptable organisational culture. Hansatu’s insights remind us that resilient leadership is not just about personal strength but also about fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for the entire team.
