The Times Australia
Small Business News

.

Why a Presilience mindset is crucial for thriving in the new normal

  • Written by Dr G. Schneider


As we have now all experienced, the world we live in is truly Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) – from banking royal commissions, to bushfires and COVID-19, we have seen changes and challenges that have profoundly affected us all. The goal for all of us now needs to be ensuring that we can continue to evolve, grow and develop through these challenges – as who knows what will come next!

I believe there are three states of operation that we need to look at for our businesses to evolve and grow:

  • Compliance – this is the basic minimum we need to operate in any given sector. If an organisation is compliance-focused only, it will be highly vulnerable to rapid changes and be very slow to adapt.

  • Resilience – the next step up is a focus on resilience where it is accepted that things could go wrong, but we are prepared for this, with the aim of trying to return to business as usual as quickly as possible. The resilience mindset is a great step forward from that of compliance but is still defensive and negatively biased by nature.

  • Presilience® – I believe the optimal state is that of Presilience®. This is where we incorporate the best aspects of compliance and resilience. Presilience® focuses not only on the opportunities to bounce back more effectively when things go wrong, but also constantly on positioning ourselves and our businesses to adapt, innovate and improve wherever possible.

The Presilience® mindset starts with working on yourself. If you, as an individual, can’t motivate yourself, then it’s highly unlikely you will be successful and effective at motivating others and leading teams. And if you can’t lead teams, how could you run a business well, or successfully manage an organisation? This is even more important in the VUCA world we live in today and it requires us to evolve as individuals and businesses to a default setting of Presilience®.

So how do we develop Presilience®?

Whilst there are a lot of integrated elements to the evolution and development of an embedded Presilience® approach, here are some key aspects that should be applied:

  1. Situational Awareness, Vigilance and Mindfulness

Situational Awareness (SA) and vigilance are very important, not just for personal safety but as a fundamental building block for effective daily personal risk management. It is important to note that situational awareness — being aware of one’s surroundings and identifying potential threats and dangerous situations as well as opportunities — is more of a mindset than a hard skill. Situational awareness is not only important for recognising terrorist threats, but it also serves to identify opportunities, criminal behaviour and other dangerous situations. In short, SA is about knowing and understanding what’s going on around us so we can identify and act on anomalies – it is a continual skill from birth to death and requires continued focus and practice to apply.

  1. Risk intelligence

Risk intelligence is about how we understand and respond to a changing environment. It is therefore not a skillset as such, but more an applied attribute based on integrating the key attributes, skills and capabilities.

These can be used as a very basic checklist to determine risk intelligence and risk culture (at a teams and organisational level):

  • Manage uncertainty

  • Achieve objectives

  • Move, think and understand quickly and easily ​​​​​​

  • Focus on changing or creating more effective processes, products and ideas

  • Constantly enhance the likelihood of a business succeeding.

  • Better productivity and performance

  • Share information, rewards, and power appropriately and fairly

  • Take initiative and make decisions to solve problems and improve service and performance.

  • Display toughness in the face of adversity and have the capacity to recover quickly and respond to short term shocks

  • Adapt and evolve personally and shape groups and organisational structures to respond to long term challenges

  1. Critical thinking and enhanced decision making

The fundamental application of risk intelligence is designed to ensure we can enhance our decision making. This aspect is probably a whole article in its own right, but as a starting point we need to remember that most of our decisions are based on perception, not reality. When we make a decision, it’s important to understand what is truly important and/or urgent, and action those areas first. The majority of our decisions are made using our intuitive and non-rational mind, so it’s really important when making big decisions, to take time to speak to advisors, do pros/cons lists, or use more formal tools like SWOT analyses, to help inform your decision. Good decision making ultimately comes down to our ability to know ourselves, recognise our strengths and weaknesses and focus on managing our own biases.

  1. Effective / directive communication

In times of stress, our thinking mind actually functions poorly due to slow and constant adrenal release. One of the side effects is poor communication skills. Take time to ensure you keep working on your communications skills (especially when you are tired and/or stressed) and remember that if people are stressed and/or under pressure, direct communication is often more effective.

When you have the time and there is no stress, remember that whilst building rapport and active listening are very important, in many cases it’s less about what is said or written, and more about how the person on the other end receives and translates the message. Take time now to build good habits around effective, direct communication, and confirming that your message is received as you intended it to be received.

  1. Persistence

Developing a default attitude of Presilience® takes time and consistent effort. Don’t rush things but do stay consistent in developing and applying the key skills sets and attributes, until they become habitual. This requires persistence and discipline. If there was ever a time to develop Presilience® as your default setting, it’s right now.

Dr. Gavriel (Gav) Schneider FIRSM, FGIA, CPP, FIS (SA), FIML, FARPI

Dr Gav is an acknowledged leader in the field of human-based risk management and the psychology of risk and is the creator of the concept of Presilience®. He is a highly experienced security, safety, emergency and risk specialist, with decades of experience. As a leading academic in his field, he heads up the Post Graduate Psychology of Risk program at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). His highly acclaimed book, ‘Can I See your Hands: A Guide to Situational Awareness, Personal Risk Management, Resilience and Security’ is available for purchase here.

Professionally, Dr Gav was recognised as RMIA’s Risk Consultant of the Year 2019 and one of the top twenty global thought leaders in the IFSEC Global Security & Fire Influencer Awards. He is the CEO of the Risk 2 Solution Group, whose member companies focus on delivering innovative and cutting-edge solutions in the Risk, Intelligence, Safety, Security, Medical & Emergency response sectors – see www.risk2solution.com for more information.


Property Times

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by respected private hotelier John Azar, the Good Beer Company has a proven t...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifestyle, your dreams, and your future. However, before you start sketchin...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-buying process is crucial for success. Whether you're a first-time buye...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Selling a home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. It’s a strategic process that involves preparation, pricing, and negotiation - all aimed at getting the best value for your property. Let’s go through the most important steps to take b...

Food & Dining

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banquets to Sydney’s first-ever Acquapole fitness classes and family fun gal...

Onsite Caterer vs a Full Service Venue: 9 important things to explore

Choosing between an external catering company and an all-inclusive venue is a major decision that affects cost, flexibility, food quality, and the overall event experience. Venues with in-house catering offer convenience and streamlined coordinatio...

Meal Prep as Self-Care? The One Small Habit That Could Improve Your Mood, Focus & Confidence

What if the secret to feeling calmer, more focused, and emotionally resilient wasn’t found in a supplement or self-help book — but in your fridge? That’s the surprising link uncovered by leading dietitians Anna Debenham and Alex Parker from The Biti...

Cult Favourite, TokyoTaco, Opens Beachfront at Mooloolaba this June

FREE Tokyo Tacos to Celebrate!  Cult favourite Japanese-Mexican restaurant TokyoTaco is opening a beachfront venue at the Mooloolaba Esplanade on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast this June.  The doors of the new venue will open on 18 June and to cel...

Business Times

Ricoh Launches IM C401F A4 Colour MFP to Boost Speed and Security…

Ricoh, a leading provider of smart workplace technology, today launched the RICOH IM C401F, an enterprise-grade A4 colour d...

Laundrlab Expands with a New Flagship Store, Redefining Sustainab…

DESIGNED TO CALM. BUILT TO LAST. POWERED BY PURPOSE. THE FUTURE OF LAUNDRY STARTS IN POTTS POINT Sydney, N...

Navigating Leadership Mistakes with Confidence

I am always surprised by this question: How do leaders get over embarrassing mistakes and still succeed? The use of the w...

The Times Features

What Is the Dreamtime? Understanding Aboriginal Creation Stories Through Art

Aboriginal culture is built on the deep and important meaning of Dreamtime, which links beliefs and history with the elements that make life. It’s not just myths; the Dreamtime i...

How Short-Term Lenders Offer Long-Lasting Benefits in Australia

In the world of personal and business finance, short-term lenders are often viewed as temporary fixes—quick solutions for urgent cash needs. However, in Australia, short-term len...

Why School Breaks Are the Perfect Time to Build Real Game Skills

School holidays provide uninterrupted time to focus on individual skill development Players often return sharper and more confident after structured break-time training Holid...

Why This Elegant Diamond Cut Is Becoming the First Choice for Modern Proposals

Personalised engagement styles are replacing one-size-fits-all traditions A rising diamond cut offers timeless elegance with a softer aesthetic Its flexible design wo...

Is sleeping a lot actually bad for your health? A sleep scientist explains

We’re constantly being reminded by news articles and social media posts that we should be getting more sleep. You probably don’t need to hear it again – not sleeping enough i...

Ricoh Launches IM C401F A4 Colour MFP to Boost Speed and Security in Hybrid Workplaces

Ricoh, a leading provider of smart workplace technology, today launched the RICOH IM C401F, an enterprise-grade A4 colour desktop multifunction printer (MFP) designed for Austral...