Building resilience: Leadership tips for challenging times

How to help teams succeed during tough times and changes

For the past three years, I have been leading product teams in Ukraine amidst the backdrop of war. Today, I would like to share my leadership tips and life hacks on how to help your team enhance resilience.

People can handle difficult life changes, sometimes without knowing how they do it. Have you ever wondered why some people handle tough times well, while others struggle? The answer is resilience. Resilience gives us the power to face challenges and do well despite them.

Make realistic plans and cultivate space for creativity

Make sure you and your team have enough time to process incoming information.

Prolonged stress profoundly impacts our neurobiology. It can harm the hippocampus, which plays a crucial role in memory processes.

Furthermore, it slows down how we handle all kinds of information. As a manager, how can you support yourself and your team? Start by accepting the current situation and understanding how it has changed you and your team. Avoid setting overly optimistic deadlines and give yourself more time to think — a day without meetings, time for reading and learning about new trends and technologies, and most importantly, time for self-reflection.

Creating an environment where new ideas are encouraged is important for a team’s well-being. This kind of environment not only makes people more curious but also helps start new projects that will our team joy.

Let me give you an example:
Our team’s illustrator, Diana, started the “Friday Creativity” project. She took the character from our mobile app, Omo, and made it the star of a famous movie. Over time, this idea turned into a team activity where everyone could suggest their favorite movies. So, Fridays became an exciting day when the team couldn’t wait to see Omo’s latest transformation.

Illustrator— Diana Moroz

Teach the team a mindfulness approach

When things outside of your control are causing stress, it’s important to avoid stress at work. As a manager, you can make a positive impact by improving how your team works, connecting them with others, and fairly dividing their tasks.

Over the past two years, many studies have shown the positive impact of physical activity on our brains. I occasionally cancel team meetings on sunny days and encourage everyone to take a walk outdoors. This is especially important when I know that people haven’t slept well due to air raid alarms because of Russian rockets. I also remind them about the importance of taking lunch breaks and getting enough rest.

A meme I created and shared with my team following a night in Kyiv with air raid alarms

Inspire them to feel a connection to nature. Encourage them to dedicate some time to observing trees, birds, clouds, lakes, and rivers.

Once I shared with my team that I take a walk to a nearby lake with ducks during my lunch break. This led to us creating a local status in Slack for mental health breaks 🦆 and, later on, a favorite emoji for reactions.

When I launch surveys for the team, I always include a reminder for them to take care of themselves:

Create a supportive environment

Having a strong network of supportive people is another attribute of resilience. Resilient people recognize the importance of support and knowing when they need to ask for help.

In stressful times, the system in our brains that regulates dopamine can be affected, potentially causing depression. Working remotely can make this worse since it reduces in-person interaction. People might spend less time outside because they no longer have to commute to the office every morning.

How do I boost team satisfaction? I like to organize special online design team sessions using Figjam. Sometimes, I invite not only my design team but also other designers from the company to create a design community. This makes people feel appreciated, encourages them to share knowledge, and makes them more open to process changes.

I organize team events on Figjam

Cultivate a workplace culture that values resilience, where people proudly talk about life changes and how to cope with them.

Build meaningful relationships through trust and connection

The more you work on building trust, the more likely people will feel comfortable sharing their concerns and issues. It’s crucial to assess the team’s mood during one-on-one meetings, ask if assistance is needed, and, most importantly, provide that assistance promptly. Well-framed questions can help establish a connection and trust in you as a leader. The truth is, most people who claim to be okay feel not okay.

Illustrator — Diana Moroz

Your own oxygen mask first

Stress always affects the amygdala, which is responsible for fear and anxiety reactions. So, taking care of your health is important to prevent it from harming your overall well-being. A basic health check-up is required. Monitor your sleep, reduce coffee intake, and take breaks. Even engaging in sports for just 15–20 minutes a day can combat stress.

Self-care will give you the energy and resources to support your team. Keep in mind that you are an example for your team. Additionally, stress affects the brain's frontal cortex, which can lead to a loss of self-control, aggressive behavior, and reduced empathy. Resilient people understand that these feelings are temporary and learn to manage them until they pass.

When you feel overwhelmed at work, take a break and rest. Pay attention to your body; it always tells you when something isn’t right. Being kind to yourself shows strength, not weakness. Embrace your vulnerability and know that it’s okay to not feel okay sometimes.

Conclusion

Team resilience is vital for good performance. Resilient people can keep going even when things are tough.

• Your most valuable product is your team. Use product development principles to improve their lives.
• Give yourself and your team more space for ideas. This often leads to fantastic projects that keep everyone on track.
• Recognize the current reality and how it’s affecting you and your team. Old methods aren’t as effective anymore; it’s time to try new things.
• Remember, you’re a role model for your team. They pick up on what you do and eventually do the same.
• Prioritize self-care. It’s the cornerstone that empowers both you and your team to reach higher goals.

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A part of this article was written in a bomb shelter caused by Russian attacks on Ukraine every day. To support Ukraine please donate 🇺🇦