How to Stay Resilient as a Leader During Hard Times
Updated: May 16, 2025
Written by Nicole M. Augustine, Bridging Public Health and Purpose | Author | Speaker | Change Catalyst
Nicole M. Augustine is a public health strategist, speaker, and entrepreneur specializing in systems change, prevention science, and wellness. Her work bridges innovation and equity to expand human potential and drive sustainable community transformation.
In the landscape of leadership, challenges often emerge unexpectedly, demanding not only practical solutions but also a deep commitment to one's belief systems. The beginning of March brought about a series of setbacks, a trio of contract losses, each stemming from shifts in executive decisions around diversity, equity, and inclusion. One of these was our largest contract, which anchored much of our anticipated revenue for 2025. While the situation may seem devastating on the surface, I am reminded that appearances are often fleeting. It is in these moments that I must lean fully into resilience and the power of belief.
Facing loss in leadership – The emotional toll & shift
The initial shock of losing contracts can feel like a heavy weight on your shoulders—a visceral reminder of how fragile success can be. Each agreement represented more than just revenue. They symbolized months (and sometimes years) of dedication from a team working toward a shared vision. The emotional toll is real: uncertainty, fear, and even self-doubt naturally arise. Yet, within this emotional landscape lies the opportunity to choose a new response. Acknowledging the loss is essential, but channeling that emotion toward a constructive mindset is the path forward.
How self-belief anchors leaders during adversity
In moments of despair, belief in oneself becomes a guiding light. My understanding of faith is rooted in self-confidence – the conviction that what I know to be possible is still within reach, even when the path feels unclear. This echoes a powerful principle from Napoleon Hill: within every loss lies the seed of an equivalent benefit. This philosophy invites me to look deeper, to see beyond the immediate pain and search for the hidden opportunity. When embraced, this mindset becomes fuel for innovation, helping me reimagine what’s possible in the face of adversity.
Why positive thinking is a resilience superpower
Positive thinking isn’t passive optimism; it’s an active commitment to reshaping one’s internal narrative. Rather than dwell on what’s gone, I focus on what can emerge. Every setback becomes a lesson. Each disruption creates space to pause, evaluate, and redirect energy into new possibilities. In this spirit, I encourage my team to adopt the mantra from Brian Johnson’s Arete: “You win, or you learn.” This mindset reframes every project, removing the fear of failure and replacing it with curiosity and growth. That’s where resilience lives, in the willingness to learn and adapt, again and again.
Using affirmations to lead with clarity and confidence
One of the beliefs I personally hold most dearly is that words shape our world. The phrase “my word is my wand” has been a quiet anchor for me, something I turn to in moments of uncertainty and visioning alike. It reminds me that what we speak carries energy, intention, and momentum. When I choose to speak life into my goals and challenges, I feel that energy shift.
While this practice has deeply shaped my own leadership mindset, I realize it hasn’t yet fully permeated the culture of our company. People who work closely with me often feel the impact of this perspective, but I now see the opportunity to bring it more intentionally into our collective space. This season of transition feels like the perfect moment to do just that.
I want to begin instilling this belief into the very fabric of our work, that language matters, and that speaking possibilities aloud can help us move toward them. Even if someone doesn’t fully “believe” in affirmations, I often say, if it can help, why not give it a nudge? It costs nothing to choose words that uplift and orient us toward solutions.
Here are a few affirmations I’ve leaned on recently, ones I hope will begin to echo within our shared culture:
I am properly prepared and abundantly resourced for the journey ahead.
I have a wonderful work in a wonderful way, I give wonderful service for wonderful pay!
Things are always working out for me.
This moment marks a shift – not just in contracts or capacity, but in culture. I believe this mindset can help us build something stronger, together.
Turning adversity into a leadership rebirth
Leadership is not linear. The losses we face may shake our foundation, but they also till the soil for new growth. By leaning into self-belief, cultivating positive thinking, and anchoring ourselves with affirmations, we step into a deeper version of resilience – one grounded in purpose and possibility.
This season of change is not the end. It is a turning point. A time to recalibrate, refocus, and recommit to the vision. And as I lead through this moment, I do so with the unwavering belief that even in the face of great loss, brighter days are ahead.
Nicole M. Augustine, Bridging Public Health and Purpose | Author | Speaker | Change Catalyst
Nicole M. Augustine is a dynamic public health consultant and the founder of RIZE Consultants, a firm dedicated to elevating health outcomes through strategy, equity, and innovation. With over a decade of experience in behavioral health, prevention science, and community mobilization, Nicole brings a fresh perspective to leadership, mindset, and systems transformation. She is the author of the Prevention Specialist Exam Study Guide and a nationally recognized voice in the field of prevention. Deeply influenced by thinkers like Earl Nightingale and Florence Scovel Shinn, Nicole explores the intersections of prosperity, wellness, and purpose. Her work challenges the status quo, inspiring readers to rethink what's possible for communities and themselves.
