Welcome to Pillar 2: Resilience
Build the capacity to recover, adapt, and lead steadily through change.
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.” — Japanese proverb
Resilience is the practiced ability to respond—not react—to challenge. For school leaders, it means staying grounded during crises, learning from setbacks, and modeling calm persistence so staff and students feel safe, supported, and capable.
Introduction
Reflective Prompt
Think of a recent setback. What helped you recover—or what got in the way?
Quick Poll (1–10)
How resilient do you feel in your leadership right now?
Where Are You Starting From?
Rate each statement from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always).
- I remain calm and composed when plans change unexpectedly.
- After a tough day, I can reset and return with fresh perspective.
- I seek lessons in setbacks instead of blame.
- I maintain healthy routines (sleep, movement, nutrition) during busy periods.
- I ask for help or delegate before I burn out.
- I reframe challenges as opportunities to learn.
- I can hold boundaries kindly but firmly.
- I bounce back quickly after criticism or mistakes.
- I celebrate small wins to keep momentum.
- I model steadiness so my team feels safe and supported.
Scoring Guide
10–25: Early Awareness — Start with basic recovery habits.
26–40: Growing Skills — Steadiness is emerging; build consistency.
41–50: Thriving — Strong recovery, modeling resilience for others.
Reflection: Which single habit would most improve your resilience this month?
Download Self-Assessment (PDF)
Listen & Learn: “Leading with Resilience”
Practical ways to recover faster, protect your energy, and keep teams steady.
Guided Listening Worksheet (PDF)
Quick Knowledge Check
- What’s one practical way to shorten your recovery time after a setback?
- Which habit most protects resilience during busy seasons?
- True/False: Resilience means never feeling stressed.
Put Resilience Into Action
Choose one strategy to try this week.
Scenario Challenge
Budget news arrives late Friday requiring a Monday plan. What’s your response?
Show options
- Cancel your weekend and push yourself through the night.
- Make a 60-minute plan now, schedule team time Monday a.m., protect your weekend recovery. ✅ (Correct)
- Ignore it and hope it resolves itself.
Your 60-Second Reset: Box Breathing
A quick nervous-system downshift to stabilize under pressure.
- Inhale through your nose for 4 counts.
- Hold for 4 counts.
- Exhale through your mouth for 4 counts.
- Hold empty for 4 counts. Repeat for four cycles.
Self-Reflection Questions
- Where do you most often get derailed—systems, people, or self-talk?
- Which boundary (time, scope, device) would most protect your resilience?
- What’s a recent failure that could become a story of growth for your team?
- Who helps you reset quickly, and how can you build that into your week?
Resilience Recap & Next Steps
- Resilience is recovery speed, not perfection.
- Protect routines, boundaries, and perspective.
- Model steadiness so others can borrow your calm.
3-2-1 Reflection
3 insights · 2 actions this week · 1 message to your team
Mini Quiz
- What’s one boundary that supports resilience?
- Explain why “never stressed” is not the goal.
- True/False: Small wins help momentum after setbacks.
