In public safety, the ability to stay resilient, adaptable and cool under pressure is essential. This was front and center during the recent Lexipol webinar, “The Resilient Leader: Strategies for High-Stress Environments,” featuring Battalion Chief (Ret.) Bruce Bjorge and Chief (Ret.) Dave Funkhouser. Drawing from decades of experience in fire and law enforcement, Bjorge and Funkhouser discuss how resilient leaders bend rather than break during tough times and traumatic incidents.
Two keys to this ability to adapt and rebound are flexibility and attitude. Truly resilient leaders develop the flexibility to handle unexpected challenges and the positive attitude to help keep their teams motivated even during the most stressful situations.
Research consistently points to resilience and flexibility as core components of effective leadership, especially in a high-stakes field like public safety. Leaders in these fields often face situations where rigid adherence to a plan can be counterproductive. Of course, that doesn’t mean good leaders don’t plan. As Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower said, before he was elected president, “In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”
Adaptability and a willingness to embrace change set successful leaders apart because they are more likely to help their teams overcome whatever challenges come their way.
“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.”
The Importance of Flexibility
The Center for Management & Organization Effectiveness emphasizes how flexible leaders are less likely to become stressed or frustrated when faced with the unexpected. In public safety, where every day brings new challenges, the ability to think on your feet and adapt to shifting conditions is paramount. In the webinar, Chief Funkhouser notes that “you can’t control everything” and urges leaders to stay adaptable instead of being rigid in their approach. A willingness to pivot, he says, is often what allows leaders to respond effectively under pressure.
Another important thing to remember, Bjorge says, is to “focus on what you can control.” This is an interesting echo of the serenity prayer often recited in 12-step programs, where participants pray for “serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” When they maintain flexibility and a steady approach, leaders stay prepared to tackle unforeseen challenges head-on. This combination of flexibility and adaptability means resilient leaders proactively manage changes rather than merely reacting to them.
Here’s a clip from the webinar that uses a sports metaphor to underscore the point about resilient leadership in public safety:
Choosing a Positive Attitude
Author Roy T. Bennett writes, “Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.” While it’s easy to think of our attitudes and moods as things that “just happen” to us, we actually have a lot more control over them than many people recognize.
Even more importantly, a leader’s attitude sets the tone for their entire team. In the webinar, Bjorge points out that resilience requires “choosing your attitude” each day, regardless of the circumstances. He highlights the power of a positive mindset in helping leaders manage their own stress and inspire confidence within their teams. By choosing to stay positive, leaders can shift their focus away from uncontrollable setbacks and focus instead on finding solutions.
Funkhouser adds that encouraging leaders to “acknowledge when you need help” and stay grounded can make or break a team’s success. He shares a personal experience when he reached a point of overwhelming stress, and a coworker checked in on him, saying, “Are you OK?” This simple expression of concern allowed him to admit that he wasn’t OK — and it was a turning point for him. In sharing this story, Funkhouser illustrates how maintaining a positive attitude includes recognizing when you need support and having the humility to accept it. “I probably took out a $50,000 loan on my credit in terms of my long-term potential by not prioritizing my own health,” he says. It’s difficult to understate the danger of ignoring your personal needs in a high-stress environment.
Embracing Humility and Letting Go of Control
In public safety there’s a natural inclination to aim for complete control of every situation. While micromanagement may seem almost like a requirement in this line of work, both Bjorge and Funkhouser emphasize that resilient leaders need to learn when to step back. “It’s about trusting others and being willing to step back when needed,” Bjorge explains, pointing out that clinging too tightly to control can hinder growth and flexibility.
This aligns with conventional wisdom in the business world that says leadership requires “the ability to delegate and let go.” Embracing humility and acknowledging limitations allow leaders to delegate responsibility effectively, helping them reduce (or at least manage) stress and avoid burnout. Humble leaders create a more resilient team culture in which everyone is encouraged to contribute ideas and solutions, resulting in a team that’s better equipped to adapt and perform under pressure.
As Andrew Carnegie famously said, “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it.”
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Practical Steps for Building Flexibility and Positivity
For public safety leaders looking to develop resilience through flexibility and a positive attitude, Bjorge and Funkhouser offer some practical advice. Here are several strategies inspired by their insights:
Practice Self-Reflection: Bjorge emphasizes the importance of checking in with yourself regularly. Good leaders evaluate their physical and emotional well-being and address issues as they arise. Self-reflection helps them identify when they need to make adjustments in their approach.
Own Your Limitations: Both Bjorge and Funkhouser advise leaders to admit when they need help. Humility in leadership doesn’t imply weakness; rather, it demonstrates self-awareness and a willingness to lean on others.
Encourage Open Communication: It’s essential to create an environment where team members feel comfortable offering feedback and sharing concerns. In Funkhouser’s experience, a simple “Are you OK?” from a colleague made a huge difference to him. Effective leaders foster resilience in their teams by maintaining an open line of communication and offering support.
Focus on Controllables: Bjorge’s advice to “focus on what you can control” underscores the need to avoid becoming overwhelmed by aspects of a situation that are out of your hands. By narrowing your focus to manageable tasks, you’ll be able remain productive even in challenging circumstances.
Lead with Positivity: Choosing to maintain a positive attitude, especially in the face of adversity, can have a ripple effect across an entire team. By modeling positivity, leaders can help their team members remain confident and focused on solutions rather than obstacles.
Two Powerful Tools
Flexibility and a positive attitude are powerful tools for building resilience in leadership. As Bjorge and Funkhouser illustrate, resilient leaders are adaptable, self-aware and willing to trust the people they lead. By embracing these qualities, public safety leaders can navigate even the toughest challenges and inspire resilience in others. As Funkhouser puts it, “You can’t control everything,” but by focusing on the controllable aspects of your role and staying adaptable, you can steer your team toward success regardless of the circumstances.