Our Podcast

BY Joel Junker

How Resilience and Hardiness Create Meaningful Work (E213)

Welcome to another episode of the PCS to Corporate America Podcast. This is a special episode for me. I recently completed my MA in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga University. I significantly changed as a leader and person as a result of this program.

The Leadership and Hardiness class co-taught by Dr. Adrian Popa and Kelsey Solberg, which I took this past summer, particularly impacted me. Dr. Popa and Kelsey graciously allowed me to interview them for this podcast.

In a world of constant change and challenges, resilience, and hardiness are critical qualities for leaders navigating transitions. Dr. Popa, Kelsey, and I dive deep into these themes.

This episode is packed with insights for those transitioning from military service to civilian careers or simply seeking greater purpose in their work. Below are key highlights from this enlightening conversation.

Exploring the Foundations of Resilience

Dr. Popa opens the podcast with a personal reflection on his childhood in Eastern Europe under a communist government. He shares how witnessing resilience in his family and community shaped his understanding of hardiness. Dr. Popa explains that hardiness is more than mere toughness; it involves the ability to adapt, grow, and find meaning despite life’s challenges.

Kelsey adds her perspective on resilience, which was shaped by her journey from student to leadership educator. Through her work at Gonzaga University and co-teaching the Leadership and Hardiness course, Kelsey emphasizes curiosity and connection as pathways to resilience. She discusses the transformative power of engaging with the world and fostering growth, even in the face of obstacles.

Finding Meaning in Transitions

One of the podcast’s most poignant moments came when I posed a common question faced by transitioning military leaders: “How do I find meaning in a career after leaving the service?” Dr. Popa and Kelsey reference Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning in their responses.

Dr. Popa explains that meaning is not found but created, often in the context of challenges. He emphasizes the importance of embracing agency and choice, even in moments of uncertainty. Kelsey adds that individuals coming from the military may already possess a unique ability to transcend themselves for a greater cause—an invaluable asset in any new role.

Practical Tools for Resilience and Growth

Together, we address the framework commitment, control, and challenge as a way to build hardiness. We encourage listeners to identify what they’re committed to, recognize their capacity to influence outcomes and view challenges as opportunities for growth. Dr. Popa reinforces this by sharing how these principles are operationalized during the mountain leadership immersions.

To learn more about commitment, control, and challenge, I encourage you to read Hardiness: Making Stress Work for You to Achieve Your Life Goals by Steven Stein and Paul Bartone.

Conclusion: Thriving Beyond the Uniform

This episode offers a roadmap for finding purpose and cultivating resilience in any stage of life. Dr. Popa and Kelsey remind us that the search for meaning is dynamic, evolving with each phase of our journey. Whether you’re transitioning careers, climbing mountains, or simply navigating life’s complexities, their insights provide guidance and inspiration.

Tune in to the full episode to explore how resilience and hardiness can help you thrive, no matter the challenge ahead.

Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy the podcast!

To stay connected, we encourage you to check out our website and YouTube Channel and follow us on LinkedIn.

If you want to learn more about your transition options, please get in touch with us.

You can also check out our Transition Guide on “3 Game-Changing Strategies for JMOs Making the Jump to Business” for additional transition tips.

To stay connected, I recommend subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following us on LinkedIn.

Joel

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS