Resilient Leadership Cultivation (04 SEP 2024)
In today’s world, where challenges seem to multiply with each passing day, the need for individual resilience and resilient leadership has never been more critical. Whether in the military, in government, in business, or in any setting where decisions are made, the ability to withstand, adapt to, and thrive in the face of adversity is essential. This is particularly true in Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) operations, which often unfold in complex, dynamic, and high-stress environments. In these scenarios, uncertainty and unpredictability are not exceptions—they are the norm.
CIMIC teams, as a crucial component of military operations, are tasked with supporting conflict resolution, facilitating humanitarian efforts, and contributing to sustainable development. Their work directly impacts the lives of countless individuals, often in regions where hope and stability are in short supply. To fulfil these responsibilities, CIMIC teams must be resilient. They must adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, maintain their effectiveness over extended periods, and, above all, remain steadfast in their commitment to the mission.
Resilience, however, is not just about enduring hardships. It’s about maintaining the strength and clarity needed to make sound decisions, even when the stakes are high and the path forward is unclear. Resilient leadership is the cornerstone of this strength. Leaders who embody resilience inspire their teams to persevere, innovate, and stay focused on their goals, no matter how daunting the obstacles.
During our webinar we explored the profound importance of resilience in CIMIC operations, and discussed how resilient leadership not only enhances team performance but also strengthens relationships with local populations and increases the likelihood of mission success. The lessons learned from CIMIC can be applied broadly, offering insights into how resilience can be cultivated in any environment where people are tasked with making tough decisions.
Dr. Lobna Chérif, an expert in the field, took us further into the topic of resilient leadership, particularly how it is cultivated and its deep connection with societal resilience, which was presented by Dr. Nicholas Krohley. She guided us in understanding that resilient leaders are not just critical in military contexts but in every area of life where leadership is required. By fostering resilience within themselves and their teams, leaders can build stronger, more adaptive societies, capable of thriving in the face of uncertainty.
Ultimately, resilience is about more than just surviving—it’s about building a future where, even in the face of adversity, we continue to grow, to support one another, and to create lasting, positive change.
Dr. Nicholas Krohley
Dr. Nicholas Krohley is a consultant, researcher, founder and Principal of FrontLine Advisory, and the author of The Death of the Mehdi Army: The Rise, Fall, and Revival of Iraq’s Most Powerful Militia. Nick specializes in the first-hand examination of localized dynamics of conflict, development, and urbanization in the developing world. His work aligns strategic plans with local realities, and equips front line operational personnel with the skill sets and local insights necessary for success. He has broad global experience as an ethnographer, supporting public and private sector clients. Nick served previously as a Social Scientist with the Human Terrain System. He also contributed to various NATO initiatives to integrate socio-cultural information into military planning and operational processes, and he was instrumental in designing and delivering research planning and collection training for the United Kingdom’s Defence Cultural Specialist Unit. He has a Ph.D. and Masters degree from King’s College London, and a Bacherlos degree from Yale University. Furthermore, he has held fellowships with King’s College London and the Modern War Institute at West Point.
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Lobna Chérif
Dr. Lobna Chérif has been a faculty member of the Department of Military Psychology and Leadership at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, since 2004. She has authored several research papers and posters in both French and English as well as her mother tongue of Arabic. Among her other credentials, Lobna is a Positive Psychology Practitioner and Resiliency Trainer, recently receiving certification in 2019 from the Flourishing Center in New York City, New York. Following her passion, she has created trailblazing educational and research programs, including Resilience Plus which promotes resilience, excellence, and flourishing. Engaging students, faculty, and staff at the Royal Military Colleges of Canada, RMC Kingston and RMC Saint-Jean, her interactive workshops continue to grow in enthusiasm and numbers. Her current research focuses on “what is right with people” – character strengths, resilience, coping, competence, and accomplishment – and how to apply this understanding to improving well-being and performance each and every day. She earned her Masters degree in 2001 and her PhD in 2005 in Psychology from Laval University in Québec City, Québec. Lobna has also been awarded the Tunisian President’s Prize of Academic Excellence in 1999, Canadian Psychological Association’s Academic Excellence Award for her doctoral thesis in 2005, and RMC-Saint Jean’s Commandant Coin in 2019.
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