Human Resources (HR) professionals and leaders’, roles are critical in building resilience, which is necessary for survival and growth in the prevailing landscape of constant change where
businesses are grappling with economic shifts challenges among others.
Businesses are also confronted with technological advancements, challenges, shifting workforce dynamics, global pandemics and even global health crises.
This was disclosed by the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir at the opening ceremony of the 56th International Conference and Exhibition of the CIPM under the theme, “Managing People and Businesses for Resilience,” in Abuja.
Mallam Gobir said, “Leaders build resilience in people by creating an environment where failure is treated as a learning opportunity, not a setback because In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
We are living in an era of constant change. Across the world, businesses are grappling with challenges like economic shifts, technological advancements, shifting workforce dynamics, global pandemics and even global health crises.
He said in a landscape where businesses face numerous challenges resilience was no longer an option but a necessity for survival and growth.
“As HR professionals and leaders, our role is critical in building that resilience. The strength of any organisation lies not just in its products or services, but in its people. It is our responsibility to manage human capital in ways that foster adaptability, agility, and long-term sustainability. Resilience starts with people – our greatest asset,” Mallam Gobir reiterated.
He highlighted that for organisations to thrive, HR professionals must be equipped to face crises, learn from setbacks, and continue pushing forward.
He emphasized that “It is not the load that breaks you down, it is the way you carry it. Resilience is not about avoiding challenges but growing stronger because of them. You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.”
According to recent research by the World Economic Forum, 75 percent of global businesses now consider workforce resilience a critical factor for future growth.
Mallam Gobir added that this statistic serves as a reminder of how crucial human resource management is in shaping the future of work, noting that “resilience is more than just enduring hardships – it is about evolving and emerging stronger. The ability to bounce back after setbacks is what separates resilient organisations from the rest”.
He stressed that building resilient businesses and managing resilient people is not the job of one department or one individual but requires a collective effort across all levels of an organisation, from entry-level employees to executive leadership.
“We, as HR leaders, must work collaboratively across functions and borders to build inclusive, diverse and robust organisations. This is why we are here – to share knowledge, exchange ideas and form lasting partnerships that will empower us all to build better, more resilient organisations,” he restated.
Mallam Gobir noted that the McKinsey Report on organisational resilience found that companies with strong HR functions are 2.4 times more likely to experience increased productivity, profitability, and employee retention during crises.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack pointed out that her office is now fully digitalised, and that
resilient organisations are those that prioritise their people and design forward-looking strategies to withstand disruptions.
