The recent passing of Pope Francis marked the end of an era for many around the world. While his death prompted global reflection, it also highlights a broader truth: loss and change are unavoidable, whether in life or in business. Though we often associate loss with personal grief, the emotional and psychological impact of setbacks – such as professional failures, the departure of a leader, or shifts in strategy – can be overwhelming too.
In both personal and organisational settings, responding to disruption or disappointment requires more than simply pushing through. It demands a thoughtful and intentional response – one that helps manage the emotional impact, extract value from the experience, and move forward with greater strength and resilience. We can refer to the four key pillars that usually relate to the process of grief, to guide this process: Acceptance, Awareness, Processing and Action.
1. Acceptance: Acknowledging the Reality of Change
The first step is to accept what has happened, without denial, minimisation or resistance. In business, this might mean recognising that a project has failed, a market has shifted, or that a key person has left the team. Avoiding reality only delays recovery. True acceptance allows leaders and teams to make informed decisions and adapt with clarity and purpose.
2. Awareness: Avoiding Thinking Traps
When faced with adversity, it’s common to fall into negative thought patterns – assuming the worst, blaming ourselves, or believing that things will never improve. These distortions affect judgement and increase stress. Businesses are just as vulnerable. One failed campaign or lost client can lead to spiralling assumptions. Developing awareness means identifying and challenging these unhelpful thoughts before they take over, allowing for more balanced and rational responses.
3. Processing: Taking Time to Reflect
After a setback, rushing to return to “normal” often backfires. Just as the world takes time to reflect after the passing of a leader, organisations need space to understand what went wrong, extract key learnings, and plan for the future. Reflection is essential – it builds emotional understanding, supports resilience, and helps prevent repeated mistakes.
4. Action: Moving Forward with Purpose
Once you’ve accepted the situation, challenged unhelpful thinking and taken time to reflect, the next step is action. In the case of the Catholic Church, preparations for appointing a new Pope show a commitment to moving forward. In business, action means developing a new plan, setting achievable goals, and putting insight into motion. It’s not about erasing what happened, but about building on it with purpose and momentum.
Applying the Four Pillars in the Workplace
Whether you’re managing a restructure, a loss of leadership, or an unexpected setback, resilience doesn’t mean being unaffected. It means responding with clarity and strength. The four pillars offer a practical approach:
- Acceptance helps clarify what’s real and what needs to change
- Awareness supports emotional regulation and balanced thinking
- Processing deepens understanding and learning
- Action restores energy and direction
These same principles underpin the Mind Strength for Professionals Programme, which equips individuals and teams with evidence-based tools to build mental resilience, navigate change, and improve workplace performance. As shown in our white paper, organisations that embrace this mindset don’t just recover – they emerge stronger and better prepared for the future.
Final Thoughts
Change is inevitable, and setbacks, whether personal or professional, are part of every journey. What sets resilient individuals and businesses apart is not whether they face difficulty, but how they respond to it. By embracing the four pillars of Acceptance, Awareness, Processing and Action, we can meet challenges with confidence, clarity and purpose.
