Why Stretch Armstrong is your New Business Inspiration
What would a business superhero look like? Would they possess the traits of Superman, able to rescue in times of crisis? Would they exemplify great intellect like Einstein? Possibly, but the hero I would most desire the power of would be Stretch Armstrong. Stretch was an action figure from the 1970’s who had the ability to be stretched in extraordinary ways but yet always be able to recover back to His original shape. Stretch had the power of resilience.
Resilience is a vital trait if you plan on being in business for any amount of time. Look at some of these definitions of Resilience:
- the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
- an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change
- the ability to be happy, successful, etc. again after something difficult or bad has happened:
- Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.
- The power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity.
The one way to develop resilience is to overcome challenges. The book of James shares the perspective we should have when our circumstances stretch us beyond what is normal:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4 NIV
In the aftermath of a global pandemic, it is not a surprise that the characteristic of resilience – (the ability to thrive under change and challenge) has raced up the list of needed qualities in a leader. Resilient businesses and leaders emerged as winners. Organisations that found ways to be flexible and navigate crisis faired well. Resilience is a strategic advantage.
Resilience has been something that I have had to count on more than I would have liked. I have experienced downturns in the economy, hostility from people, unforeseen circumstances and freak accidents. The thing that brought me through these difficult times not my superman skills but rather resilience. I was able to be flexible, full of faith and persevere as I became dependent on the Lord. In doing so, I have learned a lot. I have discovered a wisdom in the midst of challenges. Prayer has always been the greatest lifeline in those times, and despite the pressing and difficulty, God has always been faithful to sustain me. In times when I have been most stretched, God has restored me. He has taught me how to make adjustments and learn from these experiences.
FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmail“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Thomas Edison
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