The Power of Resilience and Wellbeing: A Fresh Perspective from UPPO

The terms 'Wellbeing’ and ‘Resilience' have gained significant attention over the past few years and have been used extensively in various contexts. Definitions and terminology have been a cause for debate amongst academics, leading to a perception of 'buzzword fatigue' or a sense that these meanings have become diluted. There can also be confusion over interchanging the meaning of the words and how the two are different but indeed linked together.

At UPPO, we've been challenged by the overwhelming knowledge base and opinions in this area and have examined the debates, models, domains, dimensions, frameworks, skills, and tools to really consider what is at the heart of what works and why. We want our work at UPPO to be underpinned by proven work, yet to put on our UPPO slant with our experiences into these areas.

So, where did we land?

Let's start with wellbeing. The Mental Health Foundation is the central source of resource within New Zealand in the space of wellbeing. The Te Whare Tapa Whā wellbeing model is widely known and used. The model was developed by the Māori health advocate Sir Mason Durie in 1984 and applies to all people and cultures to describe someone's health and wellbeing. It uses the analogy of a wharenui/meeting house with four walls and our connection with the whenua/land that forms the foundation.

If all your walls are strong and active, then you will thrive and be in a good space, but when there is any form imbalance, your wellbeing will be impacted.

Now, let's consider if wellbeing is a noun, an adjective, or a verb, and how to spell it—and whether to use a hyphen or not. How you spell this word depends on where you live in the English-speaking world.

Well-being as a hyphenated word is the preferred form in the United States and Canada. However, we are more commonly used to wellbeing as one word, which is the standard spelling in other English-speaking countries outside of North America. If the word is separated out, well is an adjective, while being is a verb or a noun. By having the word as one (with or without a hyphen), wellbeing is normally defined as a noun—it is the state of being healthy, happy, or prosperous. However, it could be argued that as verbs are words used to indicate actions, states, or relations between things, should we be considering wellbeing as a verb and how someone is able to reflect and take actions to change how they are feeling or responding?

At UPPO, we consider wellbeing as a verb, so we can help people to be aware of their actions, to reflect and to be able to act and to make a difference and change their actions. This has the ability to Unlock their Potential and strengthen their wellbeing.

Resilience was a little harder. This would be a PhD thesis if researched and explored in its full entirety! The word resilience originally derives from the present participle of the Latin verb resilire, meaning "to jump back" or "to recoil." At UPPO, this definition of resilience from Pemberton (2015) really resonates with us; "capacity to remain flexible in our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours when faced by life disruption, or extended periods of pressure, so that we emerge from difficulty stronger, wiser, and more able."

However, we also acknowledge that individuals may also have their own definition of resilience that is personal to them. Similar to wellbeing, resilience is also a verb — looking back at the original Latin meaning of 'jumping back' or 'recoiling,' this refers to an action. If we coin resilience as a noun, we are meaning it is something to achieve. Again, at UPPO, we believe resilience is a skill you can learn, adapt, and grow from by taking actions.

After extensive reading and from our experience of working in this area, we have looked for key commonalities and adopt the following model/framework.

Wellbeing can definitely stand alone as something you can do and work on, but when we look at the traits of someone implementing resilience, part of this includes their own wellbeing. In New Zealand, the gold standard wellbeing model, which is well understood and commonly used is the Te Whare Tapa Whā model, which we also adopt at UPPO. As there is no clear gold standard model or frameworks to use around Resilience, so we have applied our own model for Resilience.

So how do we at UPPO wrap it up to make significant change in the workplace?

In our journey to make a real impact in the workplace, UPPO has distilled comprehensive research and insights into practical frameworks and tools that provide actionable steps for individuals and organizations to enhance their wellbeing and resilience.

Practical frameworks and tools Our approach centres on offering practical frameworks and tools that distil the complexities of wellbeing and resilience into manageable and actionable strategies. These resources empower individuals and teams to navigate challenges and uncertainties effectively.

Tailored programmes to fit the audience Recognising that every workplace and individual is unique, UPPO creates tailored programmes that cater to specific audiences. By understanding the distinct needs and contexts of our clients, we ensure that our initiatives resonate and bring about meaningful change.

Creating habits We firmly believe that lasting change is a result of consistent habits. UPPO's approach emphasises the importance of creating healthy habits that enhance wellbeing and build resilience over time. Through consistent practice, individuals can embed positive behaviours into their daily lives.

Accountability Accountability is a crucial element in our approach. We encourage individuals to take ownership of their wellbeing and resilience journey. By setting clear goals and being accountable for their progress, individuals can track their growth and make necessary adjustments, ensuring they continue to thrive.

The journey of unlocking the power of wellbeing and resilience has led UPPO to a fresh and comprehensive perspective. We have navigated the debates, models, and complexities to offer a unique approach. Wellbeing is not just a noun but a powerful verb, and resilience is a skill to be learned and embraced through action. We have adopted practical frameworks and tools, tailoring our programs to fit the unique needs of each audience, while incorporating key elements of our approach to embed these learnings and actions into `general life’. The path to making a significant change in the workplace is clear, and we are excited to empower individuals and organisations to enhance their wellbeing and resilience, unlocking their full potential.

Get in touch at hello@uppo.co.nz to find out more.