Resilience Starts at the Top: How Leaders Can Equip Their Businesses for Disruption
In an age of constant flux, where global shocks and rapid change have become the norm, the role of a CEO has evolved. Today’s leaders must move beyond traditional responsibilities and embrace a more dynamic title: Chief Resilience Officer.
Recent research from McKinsey & Company raises a pressing concern—84% of business leaders say they feel ill-equipped to handle future disruptions, and 60% of board members believe their organisations lack the preparation to face the next major crisis. Yet, amid this uncertainty, leaders can adopt clear, actionable strategies to build resilience and position their organisations for sustainable growth.
Understanding the Five Dimensions of Resilience
To lead effectively through disruption, CEOs must recognise that resilience spans multiple dimensions. McKinsey outlines four key areas:
-
Financial Resilience – The flexibility, liquidity, and access to capital organisations need to weather setbacks and seize opportunities.
-
Operational Resilience – The agility to pivot business practices swiftly and at scale.
-
Organisational Resilience – The cultural and structural strength that enables teams to adapt and recover from setbacks.
-
External Resilience – The strength of stakeholder relationships—including clients, regulators, and investors—that stabilise and support the business.
At inemmo, we believe organisations must also prioritise a fifth dimension:
-
Digital Resilience – The ability to adapt, protect, and thrive in an increasingly digital world. This includes countering cyber threats, embracing emerging technologies, sustaining operations through digital platforms, and enhancing digital capabilities across all levels of staff.
In our global leadership work, we regularly observe how digital fragility can undermine even the most robust strategies. Digital resilience is no longer just part of operational readiness—it has become a strategic imperative.
Embedding Resilience into Organisational Vision
High-performing companies often outperform their peers because their leadership teams align under a shared, resilient vision. CEOs must set this ‘North Star’—a guiding purpose that remains steady in turbulent times.
However, many organisations fail to communicate their vision consistently during uncertainty. CEOs must take the lead in recalibrating their messaging, ensuring it connects long-term ambition with short-term responsiveness. A resilient vision inspires confidence and unifies teams navigating ambiguity.
Linking Resilience Directly to Growth
Resilient businesses don’t wait for disruption to expose weaknesses—they plan ahead. McKinsey reports that 72% of high-performing CEOs set growth targets that exceed the market average. These leaders recognise that resilience acts not only as a shield but as a catalyst for progress and innovation.
Practical actions include scenario planning, stress testing, and using periods of calm to build future capabilities. When leaders treat resilience as a growth engine, they position their organisations to seize opportunities amid uncertainty.
Investing in People and ‘Full-Body’ Resilience
Organisational strength relies on more than systems—it depends on people. CEOs must build what McKinsey describes as “full-body resilience” by addressing all five dimensions in an integrated way. Strength in one area should support others when pressure builds.
This requires investment in the adaptability and well-being of individuals across the business. Leaders should prioritise hiring and developing people who remain agile, responsive, and solution-focused—even under pressure.
Strengthening Stakeholder Relationships
In a complex, interconnected world, CEOs must show up as visible, vocal, and values-led leaders. While many executives believe in corporate responsibility, few feel that organisations take meaningful action.
Effective leaders build external resilience by cultivating strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders—suppliers, clients, policymakers, investors, and media. These relationships grow through authenticity, consistent communication, and the courage to lead conversations on critical issues.
Final Thought
At inemmo, we believe resilient leadership goes beyond managing risk—it requires a mindset shift. In moments of upheaval, CEOs who embrace this expanded role, align their people, adapt their strategies, and build external trust will guide their organisations toward long-term value and impact.
Is your leadership team ready to become resilience architects?
