Organizational Resilience (HBR Article Collection)

HBR OnPoint collections include an overview and 3 full-text HBR articles, each with a synopsis and annotated bibliography. What most determines a company's success? Quite possibly resilience: the ability to bounce back from hardship--whether it's war, terrorism, natural disasters, bankruptcy, or some other form. Resilient companies meticulously prepare for the worst and establish routines enabling them to improvise rapid responses to crises. Not surprisingly, resilient companies have resilient leaders. Like their companies, these individuals learn from crucibles: traumatic, unplanned, and transformative experiences. And using a distinct and compelling voice, they help others find meaning in hardship--rallying employees to effective, and ethical, action. They resolve defining moments: dilemmas forcing them to choose between equally valid ideals, or right and right. Using probing self-inquiry, leaders transform their core values into shrewd, politically astute action. The three Harvard Business Review articles in this collection: "How Resilience Works" by Diane L. Coutu (HBR standard reprint R0205B), "Crucibles of Leadership" by Warren G. Bennis and Robert J. Thomas (HBR standard reprint R0209B), and "The Discipline of Building Character" by Joseph L. Badaracco, Jr. (HBR standard reprint 98201).