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Why adversity can be beneficial for your corporate culture

You’ve probably heard of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But do you know about post-traumatic growth?

A group of professional women on one side of a large desk. They're looking at a computer screen and look concerned but determined.A group of professional women on one side of a large desk. They're looking at a computer screen and look concerned but determined.

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Insights from Ellen Raim, Founder of People MatterWe focus more on solving than preventing People problems.

You’ve probably heard of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But do you know about post-traumatic growth?

Believe it or not, adversity can be excellent for rebuilding corporate culture. We grow after hardship and come out stronger on the other side.

When things are going well, we often take the little things for granted. But adversity enhances small joys and encourages employees to celebrate the little wins. During adversity, small pleasures become meaningful. 

Adversity builds compassion.

When we face adversity, we become more aware of the struggles and challenges that others are going through. We begin to understand the pain and difficulty of facing obstacles and hardships, and we can develop a greater sense of empathy toward those going through similar experiences.

Compassion is an essential quality to have, both in our personal and professional lives. 

Compassion allows us to connect with others on a deeper level and to offer support and encouragement when they need it most. When we have gone through difficult times, we are better equipped to understand and help others facing similar challenges.

Adversity creates resilience.

Adversity can be challenging, but it can also make us stronger and more resilient. When we face difficult times, we confront our fears and insecurities. We learn to adapt to new situations and find ways to overcome challenges that may have seemed impossible initially.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, to pick ourselves up and keep going, even in the face of difficulty.

When we develop resilience, we become better equipped to handle whatever life throws our way. We are less likely to give up when things get tough and more likely to find ways to overcome obstacles.

Resilience is essential because it allows us to persevere in the face of challenges and achieve our goals, even when the road ahead may be rocky. Resilience makes us better equipped to handle stress and manage our emotions, leading to better overall mental health and wellbeing.

Check out these lessons in resilience from Olympic Athletes

Adversity can be challenging but can also bring about growth and development.

When we face difficult times, we learn to adapt and become more resilient. We develop a greater sense of empathy towards others and learn to handle stress and manage our emotions. And, as we've seen, adversity can even enhance the little joys in life.

But perhaps the most exciting aspect of adversity is the potential for post-traumatic growth. Just as we can grow and develop from personal challenges, organizations can become stronger and more united after a crisis. By embracing the values of compassion, resilience and gratitude, organizations can rebuild their cultures to foster growth and innovation.

So, while no one wishes for adversity, the impact of adversity can still be positive. By embracing the idea of post-traumatic growth, we can turn difficult situations into opportunities for growth and transformation, both personally and professionally.

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