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Richard Payne

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Epictetus (c.AD 55-135)

When times get tough the self help books tend to fly off the shelves as µdownsized¶ middle
managers attempt to re-invent themselves. It¶s not just in times of professional difficulty that
we search for inspiration. Our personal lives can present challenges and difficulties too,
regardless of the prevailing economic climate.

Resilience theory which sprang from the positive psychology movement is not only a legitimate
field of enquiry but also a practical way to manage tough times. µDeveloping Resilience ± A
Cognitive Behavioural Approach¶ by Michael Neenan (Routledge) is one of many books which
claim to teach readers how to cope when the going gets tough.

Neenan suggests that it is the meanings we attach to events (whatever they may be), and not
the events themselves, that determine our reaction to them. He asks why it is that some people
emerge from grim and sometimes horrific experiences stronger in mind and spirit than others
who suffered the same fate. Neenan cites Victor Frankl who somehow managed to survive four
concentration camps and famously wrote that µeverything can be taken from a man but one
thing: the last of the human freedoms ± to chose one¶s attitude in any given set of
circumstances, to chose one¶s on way¶.

This book is aimed at anyone trying to find constructive ways forward in difficult times, as well
as counsellors, coaches and therapists looking for guidance in helping clients. It will also be of
great benefit to managers seeking to understand what makes certain people, organisations or
departments thrive in times of crisis as well as human resource and training practitioners who
might be looking to support employees through times of massive change within the workplace.

µDeveloping Resilience ± A Cognitive Behavioural Approach¶ is presented in ten chapters which

take the reader logically and coherently through explanations and definitions of resilience
through to practical tips for making oneself more resilient by implementing resilience
strategies within the workplace, relationships and when dealing with difficult people.

Neenan writes in a non-evangelical style which at times can verge on the academic but he
nevertheless offers a pragmatic problem solving approach to the management of emotions and
challenging situations and is realistic about what can be achieved. I particularly appreciated his
avoidance of the popular expression µbouncing back¶ as this implies immediate action. Indeed
the author explains that µbeing resiliant does not restore the status quo in your life prior to the
adversity ± springing back to the way it was ± but, rather, what you have learned from tackling
the adversity changes you for the better¶.

This text points out that the majority of us already possess this skills and that they are lying
dormant just waiting to be re-awoken. It also explains that there are times when we need to
just survive and preserve our energy for the next episode of crisis management. Resilient
behaviours can also take many forms and don¶t need to be immediate but Neenan warns that
resilient behaviour which may have served us well in one situation may evade us in another
(e.g. being assertive with a rude colleague reduces his ill tempered behaviour towards you but
doesn¶t work with your new, noisy neighbour who threatens violence when you ask him to turn
down his music and you feel powerless in the face of his threats).
The key message is that we can all benefit from developing an awareness of how to invoke these
skills during tough times and this book is crammed with useful examples and strategies.

They take home message seems to be that it¶s okay to be vulnerable but good problem solving
skills and the ability to manage your thinking in response to life¶s challenges will not only
reduce stress and enhance life quality but also ensure we survive in a sane and healthy way no
matter what we are faced with.

I can¶t think of a reason not to read this book. It will definitely provide readers with, at the very
least, some new perspectives on whatever problems they may be facing.

Richard Payne is an HR adviser, trainer and writer. He can be contacted at

richardpayne@bspstraining.co.uk

Catch Richard¶s blog hR matters at

http://hrbod.wordpress.com

Find Richard on Linkedin