Businesses must cultivate workers’ resilience to grow – CIPM President

The President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Malam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, has said that Human Resources professionals must build workers’ resilience for businesses and organisations to survive and grow.

He stated this yesterday in Abuja at the formal opening of the ongoing CIPM 56th International Conference and Exhibition, themed, ‘Managing People and Businesses for Resilience’.

He said this is also important especially in the face of today’s evolving business environment, insisting that resilience is no longer just an option for organizations; it has become a necessity for survival and growth.

“Leaders build resilience in people by creating an environment where failure is treated as a learning opportunity, not a setback. Because in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity,” he said.

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Gobir said that there are numerous challenges facing businesses today, including economic shifts, technological advancements, and global health crises.

Referencing a recent World Economic Forum (WEF) report, he said that 75% of global businesses now view workforce resilience as a critical factor for future growth, underscoring the importance of effective human resource management.

He said, “Resilience is not about avoiding challenges but growing stronger because of them.”

The CIPM President said that building resilient organizations is a collective effort, requiring collaboration across all levels of an organization.

Presenting a keynote titled, ‘Resilient Leadership: Developing the Skills and Competencies for Effective People Management’, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, noted the importance of resilient leadership.

She described resilience as not just enduring difficulties but also emerging stronger and better prepared for future challenges.

“The concept of resilience is multifaceted -it is not merely about weathering the storm but emerging stronger, more capable, and better prepared for future challenges. To lead resiliently means to embody adaptability, foster innovation, communicate with clarity, and, perhaps most importantly, to manage people in ways that cultivate their own resilience.

“Resilient leaders understand that people are not just resources; they are individuals with emotions, aspirations, and fears. By practicing empathy, leaders can create environments of psychological safety, where team members feel understood and valued.

“Studies have consistently shown that emotionally intelligent leaders foster higher levels of employee engagement, satisfaction, and productivity,” Walson-Jack said.