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The Paradoxical Path of Suffering

Resilience - the ability to adapt and bounce back from tough situations - is considered one of the most important traits for dealing with today's turbulent world. The idea that going through hard times builds inner strength has been widely accepted throughout history. Great achievements and personal growth often come from courageously enduring hardship.

When we face challenges head-on, we develop resilience that allows us to persevere through life's storms. The process forges this trait into a powerful force - developing emotional toughness, empowering us to keep going through setbacks, and giving us the determination to pursue meaningful goals despite resistance. What’s more, suffering can give us new perspectives through self-reflection, revealing wisdom about what truly matters. Experiencing pain firsthand nurtures empathy for the struggles of others.

For many, suffering has jolted them out of complacency onto a positive path of change. Hardship shakes us from inactivity, motivating us to reevaluate stagnant situations, and unhealthy patterns, and finally pursue needed growth. Emerging from adversity's difficulties, we reconnect with our true selves - casting away superficial behaviors to live by core values.

However, resilience's power can be paradoxical - too much resilience can enable damaging stubbornness. We may cling to unrealistic fantasies instead of achievable goals. Paralyzed by false hopes, we may waste time and energy on pointless tasks. Stubborn resilience can make us tolerate demoralizing situations like toxic workplaces or abusive relationships for far too long.

In leadership, an overabundance of resilience becomes a liability without self-awareness. Leaders with resilience from inflated egos rather than accurate self-knowledge tend to disconnect from reality. Blinded by self-enhancement, they lose touch with limitations and the ability to change course. Their rigidity stifles growth. Worse, resilience alone can promote leaders prioritizing their success over serving others - eroding teamwork and the ability to outperform competitors.

The goal is flexible resilience, not brittleness. Resilience that adapts wisely to endure some challenges stoically while altering the approach for other situations. Resilience aids perseverance toward worthy goals, not blocking progress. Resilience is anchored in the ability to recognize shortcomings and stay grounded in reality.

For leaders, resilience must elevate their team - not blindly protect egos. When resilience protects openness rather than blinding, it accelerates growth through tough feedback. When operating from deeper values like integrity and compassion, resilience propels facing adversities that truly matter.

Resilience is enormously powerful, fueling perseverance and human triumphs throughout history. By balancing it, neither fragmenting nor fossilizing, we harness resilience's growth capacity while avoiding delusion and toxicity's pitfalls. With this wisdom, we can refine resilience into an uplifting force for organizations and ourselves.

The writer has two graduate degrees and a yellow belt with Lean Six Sigma.

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