Staff care: 3 steps for building your own resilience

The physical, emotional and psychological toll humanitarians and their families face is undeniable, especially for those working in conflict. Statistically speaking, aid work is becoming increasingly more dangerous for both international and national staff. The growing number of crises around the world is stretching the humanitarian system, with needs outstripping resources. In the face of combatting immense challenges like disease, famine, poverty and war, the challenges of the aid worker are often overlooked. The stress of this line of work is not only true for humanitarians, but also people working in global development outside of areas in crisis. In one study of global development professionals, 40 percent reported a high risk of burnout in their career. The issue of staff care and welfare is gaining more attention — including a recent petition circulating to get it on the agenda at the upcoming World Humanitarian Summit — but knowing where and how to start building your own resiliency is still a daunting task. READ: Will an online petition finally put staff wellness on the agenda? Last week, Devex hosted a webinar with Lynne Cripe, director of resilience services at the health and effectiveness consulting firm KonTerra Group, and an expert in working with organizations and individuals to foster resilience in high-risk environments. She spoke about the importance of staff care, how organizations can better support their staff, consultants and volunteers and how individuals can better seek support and advocate for their care to become more resilient in their work. Watch the full webinar recording here. Here are three tips she provided on how to start building your own resiliency. 1. Awareness Resiliency starts with self-awareness, knowing your strengths and weaknesses and how you react in different environments. Allow time for self-reflection before, after and while in the midst of an assignment to recognize your own triggers for anxiety and stress. Think about what did and didn’t work in responding to them and how your behaviors and emotions change over time. Cultivating self-awareness is the first step in developing a plan to cope with your weaknesses and play up your strengths. 2. Actively plan Those who actively engage in planning for their self-care, Cripe says, do better. Based on your own self-reflection, think about how your plan may need to change depending on the circumstances. For example, if you are a runner and know you need physical exercise as a method of managing anxiety, think about how you can still find that outlet even when working in a high-risk area where your mobility may be limited. Consider what external support will be at your disposal. The most resilient people are good at drawing in external resources be it a trusted friend they can talk to when feeling overwhelmed, a mental health professional they can consult from afar or taking advantage of policies such as family leave or R&R when you need a break. 3. Advocate It is not always feasible, or even advisable, Cripe says, to waltz into the CEO’s office and demand more support from your employer, though by all means take this route if you think it could be effective in your case. However, we all have our own sphere of influence, she advised, big and small. If you are a job seeker, ask about what policies and programs are in place for both physical and psychological support as part of the interview process. Discuss difficult experiences with colleagues to help normalize it. If you’re a manager, lead conversations with your staff, including sharing your own weaknesses and challenges to help reduce the stigma and shame often associated with psychological, emotional and mental stress. If someone you work with admits they’re struggling, resist the urge to dismiss them as ill suited for the job and instead help point them to resources that have helped you manage. While organizations have a duty of care to help mitigate risk and stress for their employees, it is ultimately up to individuals to understand what support they need, be an active participant in planning for their own resiliency and advocate for support when they find it lacking. How have you cultivated resiliency in your career? How have you managed difficult experiences and what would you advise others who may be struggling? Please leave your advice and comments below. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or budding development professional — check out more news, analysis and advice online to guide your career and professional development, and subscribe to Doing Good to receive top international development career and recruitment news every week.