Uncertainty in the workplace is never easy, and right now, many teams across the US and Canada are feeling the weight of economic shifts, rising costs, and trade tensions. Whether you’re leading a team in manufacturing, retail, finance, healthcare, or any other industry impacted by the trade war, the reality is the same, this is stressful for everyone.
Your team members are not just employees; they are individuals trying to navigate higher grocery bills, rising housing costs, and financial pressures at home, all while their salaries remain the same. Some companies may have to freeze wages or cut expenses just to stay afloat. This is when resilience is needed most.
Leaders often ask me how to keep their team engaged, motivated, and mentally strong during times like these? How do you, as a leader, create an environment where your employees can adapt and thrive despite uncertainty?
The answer lies in building a resilient workplace culture, where your team can face challenges together, support one another, and turn obstacles into opportunities.
The Reclaim, Restore, Resilience Framework
Right now, your team may be feeling uncertainty, stress, and fear of what’s ahead. As a leader, you have the ability to guide them through this storm using a structured approach. At Interpersonal Wellness Services Inc., we use the Reclaim, Restore, Resilience framework to help organizations build stronger, more adaptable teams.
Reclaim: Regaining Stability and Focus
During uncertain times, employees may feel a loss of control over their work, finances, and even their future. Your job as a leader is to help them reclaim a sense of security and focus.
Things to Consider:
- Are your employees feeling uncertain about job stability?
- Are they struggling with stress or financial worries that impact their work?
- Do they understand how the company is adjusting to challenges?
Action Steps:
- Hold honest conversations — Acknowledge the uncertainty but provide reassurance where possible.
- Clarify priorities — Help employees focus on what they can control instead of what they can’t.
- Encourage solutions-based thinking — Guide your team to find creative ways to adjust and move forward.
Restore: Strengthening Trust and Well-being
Many employees are under personal and professional stress, which can lead to burnout, disengagement, and even conflict within teams. This is where workplace trust and well-being need to be restored.
Things to Consider:
- Are employees openly discussing their concerns, or are they shutting down?
- Is stress or burnout affecting performance and morale?
- Do team members trust leadership’s direction?
Action Steps:
- Create space for open discussions — Let employees voice their concerns and validate their experiences.
- Offer emotional intelligence training — Help employees build self-awareness and communication skills.
- Prioritize well-being — Introduce flexible work options, mental health resources, or stress management tools.
Resilience: Building Long-Term Adaptability
A truly resilient team is not just one that gets through tough times but one that emerges stronger, more skilled, and more adaptable.
Things to Consider:
- Does your team have the mental and emotional skills to navigate change and uncertainty?
- Are employees adapting quickly, or do they resist new approaches?
- Do team members support each other when challenges arise?
Action Steps:
- Provide training on adaptability and problem-solving — Help employees develop new skills to stay ahead of change.
- Encourage teamwork — Foster collaboration to ensure that no one faces challenges alone.
- Recognize and reward resilience — Acknowledge employees who find creative solutions and stay engaged.
Self-Assessment for Leaders
As a leader, take a moment to reflect on your team’s current resilience level:
- Are employees comfortable sharing concerns without fear?
- How does your team handle setbacks, do they adapt or shut down?
- Are you investing in emotional and mental resilience training?
- Do team members work together to find solutions, or do they operate in silos?
- Are you actively supporting well-being and stress management?
If you answered "no" to any of these, it’s time to take intentional action to build resilience in your team.
What Can You Do Right Now?
Take These Immediate Steps to Strengthen Team Resilience
- Hold a team check-in—Acknowledge the challenges, listen to concerns, and reinforce a shared vision.
- Offer mental resilience training—Help employees manage stress and uncertainty with practical strategies.
- Create a culture of adaptability—Encourage a mindset where change is embraced, not feared.
Long-Term Resilience Strategies
- Train resilience champions within your organization to support workplace well-being.
- Invest in structured resilience programs to strengthen adaptability, emotional intelligence, and team collaboration.
- Develop a resilience roadmap that outlines how your company will support employees during uncertainty.
Learn About Our 90-Day Team Resilience Program
You do not have to navigate this alone. Our 90-Day Team Resilience Program is designed to help your team:
- Adapt and respond to uncertainty with confidence.
- Strengthen problem-solving and adaptability skills.
- Build a culture of trust, well-being, and collaboration.
Together, we can create a roadmap to help your team adapt and build resilience for the turbulent times ahead.
To Your Wellness,
Joyce
