Our COO, Emily Ramji led a thought-provoking and participatory session on HR Resilience, drawing from over two decades of global HR experience. Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving HR landscape, Emily guided attendees through the current challenges facing the profession, shifting from operational support to strategic leadership amid continuous disruption.
Drawing on insights from the HR Resilience survey developed by the Resilience Institute, the session examined how resilience, defined as the ability to care for oneself, others, and the planet while maintaining high performance, is becoming a critical capability across organisations. Through a mix of data, discussion, and personal stories, participants reflected on their own resilience, both as individuals and leaders.
Preliminary results from the ongoing global HR resilience diagnostic (run in partnership with Elliott Scott) revealed:
- 57% of HR professionals are “challenged” (coping, but not thriving)
- 32% are “resilient”
- 0% are currently “thriving”
These results underscore the emotional toll on HR teams and the importance of practical, systemic support, not just individual awareness.
The session emphasised that resilience is not just about surviving but growing through change, and provided tools to help individuals and teams understand and improve their own resilience levels. A follow-up webinar later this year will dive deeper into the data and offer further interpretation.
Key Takeaways:
- Resilience is strategic: It must be embedded across people, teams, and culture, not left to individuals alone.
- HR is under pressure : Many are coping, but few are thriving. Emotional fatigue and overload are common.
- Awareness isn’t always action: Even self-aware professionals struggle to apply that insight without time or support.
- Younger professionals model balance : Their focus on boundaries and self-care offers lessons for all generations.
- Support systems matter: Psychological safety, strong relationships, and practical tools are critical to sustaining resilience.
- Agility is the new baseline : HR must stay flexible amid rapid change, tech disruption, and evolving expectations.’
