RESILIENCE: REWRITTEN

Certain words can trigger immediate, often automatic reactions. “Failure” is one such term—commonly defined as a lack of success, a performance shortfall, or a breakdown in systems, particularly in business contexts.

For women in business, the possibility of failure is rarely abstract. It may linger as a perceived threat or manifest through real losses that require adaptation, resilience, and a reorientation of strategy and identity.

Research suggests that women often demonstrate strong adaptive capacity in response to setbacks, utilizing social support and emotionally integrative coping mechanisms. This positions them well to recover, recalibrate, and move forward—provided they choose engagement over withdrawal.

Language plays a critical role in this process. The way we interpret and describe our experiences directly influences our responses. Within Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), reframing is a key technique used to shift perception and expand available options.

For example:

• Challenge instead of problem
• Feedback instead of failure
• Data instead of identity

This shift in language fosters a more constructive mindset, enabling forward movement and opening pathways to new possibilities.

     According to Michael Howard, PhD., research studies show that, after stressful and traumatic events, individuals with more positive emotions have more resilience, less depression, and more personal growth than those with more negative emotions.

Therefore, consistently being aware of using more positive thinking and words eventually transforms your challenges and losses into valuable lessons learned to strengthen you rather than destroy you.

     For example, empowered re-frames for self perception and confidence are:

• Insecurity → Self-awareness / Growth edge

• Self-doubt → Reevaluation / Discernment

• Failure → Feedback / Learning outcome

• Weakness → Opportunity for development

• Shame → Self-reflection / Awareness of values