How do we sustain resilience in a changing world?
In this edition, we explore what it means to sustain resilience in increasingly turbulent times – drawing on Essential 11 of our new book. We share updates from our work with Talk the Talk and the global De La Salle Network.
Sustaining Resilience in Yourself and Others
The world around us is shifting rapidly. Conflict, climate anxiety, economic uncertainty, and political polarisation are creating a backdrop of near-constant disruption. Within organisations, leaders are absorbing these wider pressures whilst simultaneously navigating changes – restructuring, renewing strategy, funding pressures, holding teams together, and trying to sustain their own wellbeing in the process. It is, for many people, an exhausting and overwhelming combination.
In Essential 11 of our new book, ‘Our Essentials of Transforming Leadership’, we explore what it really means to sustain resilience in yourself and others. Drawing on the wisdom of Arundhati Roy, Maya Angelou, Rumi, the Dalai Lama, and others, we explain that resilience is not simply about bouncing back. It is about remaining purposeful, adaptive, and connected – even when things are very hard.
At a global level, the natural world offers us a powerful reminder that the most resilient ecosystems are those that are more diverse, interconnected, and able to adapt – qualities that are just as vital in our organisations and communities. Today (22nd April) marks Earth Day, an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
At an organisational level, resilience means keeping things focused on what truly matters. Frameworks such as The Founder’s Mentality (short video here) and The Infinite Game (short video here) offer helpful reminders that enduring organisations are those that hold their purpose steady whilst remaining willing to renew their approach. As Simon Sinek writes, great leaders think beyond the next quarter – they think about the next generation.
At an individual and team level, resilience is nurtured by relationships, trust, and the courage to be honest about difficulties. The Second Curve concept offers a particularly powerful insight: initiating something new before the current path has run its course is rarely comfortable, but understanding that a dip in energy or clarity is a natural, necessary part of any change process can help us lead with transparency and compassion.
Read Essential 11 in full here. Like all our resources, it is free to use and share.
Our Work: Talk the Talk
Supporting children and young people is one of our key thematic areas, and we are delighted to be working with Talk the Talk, a UK-based charity that transforms the lives of children and young people through speech, language, and communication support.
Talk the Talk works with young people, ensuring that those who struggle to make themselves heard are given the tools, confidence, and opportunities to do so. Their work speaks directly to something we believe deeply: that everyone has a voice, and that effective communication is at the heart of leadership and change.
We are currently working with Talk the Talk to support their leadership, strategy, structure, culture and governance. This involves both one-to-one coaching as well as group coaching conversations, integrated with leadership development.
At the heart of this work is building resilience – both for the organisation as it navigates a leadership transition, and for the individuals within it. Adopting a coaching approach is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen this: creating the space for people to think, reflect, and find their own clarity and confidence during times of change.
Our Work: De La Salle SIL Network
We have recently been working with the Solidarity International Lasallian (SIL) Network – a global platform that brings together Lasallian NGOs across five continents to foster collaboration, coordination, and shared impact in serving vulnerable communities through education and social development.
In March, Rosie and Lorna travelled to Rome to facilitate a strategy renewal workshop as part of their weeklong ‘Bridging the Gap’ event. Around 53 representatives joined from across all five regions of the network, speaking at least three languages and representing an extraordinary range of cultural and organisational contexts.
For organisations navigating significant change – new structures, funding pressures, geographic distance – the ability to find solidarity, share learning, and feel part of something larger than their own context is itself a source of strength. Networks, at their best, sustain resilience.
We are increasingly developing a specialism in working with faith-based development networks – from our work with the SIL Network, to supporting the emerging Congregation of Jesus Development Network, to our work with the International Presentation Association (IPA). Across all of these partnerships, we have seen the critical importance of being part of a connected, values-driven community in times of change and uncertainty in order to sustain resilience.
Read Our Impact Report
We are committed to being open about our learning and the difference we make. Our latest Impact Report (April 2025 – March 2026) offers a snapshot of the past year.
We invite you to take a look – and perhaps use it as a prompt to reflect on how you assess the difference your own work is making.
“The strength of the wolf is the pack, and the strength of the pack is the wolf.”
– Sioux Nation Proverb
Best wishes,
Lorna, Ian, Kemal and Rosie