Experienced human resource executive and industry thought leader Laura Dabkowski has worked directly with or supported HR departments for nonprofit organizations, large corporations, and higher education institutions. Throughout her career, Laura Dabkowski has advocated for HR strategies that reflect her belief that the business community can contribute to promoting the benefits of valuing and respecting employees.
Cultivating an emotionally safe workspace is essential for employee psychological health and well-being. Workers who feel emotionally supported are more engaged in their work, more productive, and able to collaborate effectively in teams. Companies can improve emotional safety in the workplace by first taking a realistic assessment of workers’ current challenges and needs.
Establishing systems for collecting and implementing employee opinions and ideas can also help workers feel valued. Adjusting the physical workspace can further increase emotional safety. This includes creating a resource area where employees can access information about work-life balance and mental wellness, and providing areas where employees can work in isolation. A transparent and authentic employee recognition program can also reinforce psychological safety.
Well-versed in organizational development and workplace culture, Laura Dabkowski has over two decades assisting companies with strengthening their businesses with various strategies. In her youth, Laura Dabkowski was taught the contribution of resilience in achieving goals. Noting the importance of it in both the workplace (for the organization) and in life overall (for ourselves), the following advice from Susan Taylor provides great insight.
Resilience is a mindset. It refers to how well you can deal with and bounce back from the difficulties of life. Resilient people tend to maintain a more positive outlook and cope with stress more effectively. Here are ways that you can use to build your own resilience.
ONE: REMAIN CALM – CONSCIOUSLY AWARE LIVING IN THE MOMENT Know Yourself When we are aware of who we are and why we are here, we develop the confidence from the inner knowledge of knowing. This builds the view of yourself and confidence builds. Research has demonstrated that our confidence plays an important role in coping with stress and recovering from difficult events.
TWO: USE YOUR BODY AS FEEDBACK Your Mind and Body are One Research has shown that while some people seem to come by resilience naturally, these behaviors can also be learned. But what research has not revealed is that the mind and body are one, so if you strengthen and heal the body; the mind can become resilient.
THREE: ACCEPT WHAT IS? (EMBRACE CHANGE) With Optimism Flexibility is an essential part of resilience. By learning how to be more adaptable, you’ll be better equipped to respond when faced with a life crisis. Resilient people often utilize these events as an opportunity to branch out in new directions. Staying optimistic during dark periods can be difficult, but maintaining a hopeful outlook is an important part of resiliency.
FOUR: NOURISH YOURSELF Nourish Your Body/Balance Your Mind To build resilience requires a well nourished mind-body complex. This is especially needed because when you find yourself in a difficult situation, your mind will send a signal to your body to use its resources to protect itself. Make time for life meaning, the activities that you enjoy. By nourishing your own needs, you can boost your overall health and resilience and be fully ready to face life’s challenges. And you will be more able to serve others.
FIVE: BUILD POSITIVE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS Engage in Positive Social Networks Take time to cultivate positive relationships.
SIX: FIND YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE Set the Intention Knowing our purpose in life with a set intention will keep us in balance and on track when an obstacle or setback occurs. Keeping your purpose and intention on the forefront gives you immunity to stress.
SEVEN: PRACTICE YOUR SKILLS Life is a Practice, So Enjoy the Process Resilience may take time to build, so don’t get discouraged if you still struggle to cope with problematic events. Focus on your strengths not your weaknesses and you will see overtime, they will override any weakness.
Laura Dabkowski 