Bruce Kasanoff* says research done at the West Point Military Academy has relevance for issues confronting both professionals in the business world and citizens in general.
At the recommendation of my friend, Diane Ryan, I read The Character Edge: Leading and Winning with Integrity, by Michael Matthews and Robert L. Caslen Jr.
All three were colleagues at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and General Caslen was Superintendent of the school.
It turns out that not everything bad that happens is bad.
In many cases — especially if your mindset is right — adversity makes you stronger and is an essential element in your personal growth.
As the book explains: “Understanding how people may react to trauma, adversity, and challenge is important in grasping why difficult life experiences may frequently result in personal growth.”
It outlines four trajectories people may experience following a challenging life event.
Resilience is when a challenge temporarily reduces your good functioning, but you return to your baseline level.
Disorder is when you never return to your baseline performance.
Invulnerability is when the chaos and challenge never reduces your performance.
Growth is when the challenge actually increases your functioning levels.
The authors observe: “We believe that post-traumatic growth is a more common outcome than disorder.
“You likely know people who have overcome a significant illness or experienced another major traumatic experience in life.
“Ask them how their lives changed as a result of their experience. They may tell you they are a better person as a consequence of their experiences, at least in part.”
Given that we are in the middle of a prolonged pandemic, it seems prudent that each of us looks closely at how we respond to adversity and challenge.
Difficult times do not necessarily mean you will be hurt or weakened; they might just make you stronger.
This book makes the case that “the character strengths you bring to the adverse situation will in no small measure affect how you respond”.
Among other things, the authors argue that there are very specific qualities you can develop, such as:
Commitment or grit help you keep pursuing a goal no matter how difficult the path.
They are the difference between making excuses because times got tough versus putting your head down and redoubling your efforts.
Framing an obstacle as a challenge instead of a threat can impact the manner in which you respond.
Threats can lead to panic and/or unproductive anxiety; challenges can be fun and rewarding.
Cultivating a sense of control over your circumstances will empower you to ride the waves rather than be pummelled by them.
The book combines the battle-tested leadership lessons of General Caslen with the perspective of Professor Matthews, a senior behavioural scientist who is experienced in measurement and experimental design.
It is both substantive and wonderfully readable, packed with stories — many of them quite moving — backed up with serious research.
I talk on a regular basis with Diane, who was the Deputy Department Head of Behavioural Sciences and Leadership at West Point before she retired from the Army.
She has helped me to realise that work done at West Point has tremendous relevance for issues confronting both professionals in the business world as well as citizens in general.
For that nudge, I am very grateful.
*Bruce Kasanoff is the founder of The Journey, a newsletter for positive, uplifting and accomplished professionals. He is also an executive coach and social media ghostwriter for entrepreneurs. He can be contacted at kasanoff.com.
This article first appeared at kasanoff.com.
