Reflective
chalmerswong
_Revised_Application_of_Resilience2.pdf
Running head: RESILIENCE 1
Application of Resilience
Tsun Yuen Wong
Writing 139W
Professor Danilo Caputo
July 16, 2020
RESILIENCE 2
Application of Resilience
Introduction
The word resilience is applied in various contexts to mean different things. In this paper,
I will contrast the application of this word in both academia and non-profit societies. Concerning
education, Novotný & Křeménková, (2016) states that there is a relationship between student's
performance, social background, and their performance in school. On the other hand, Witmer &
Mellinger (2016) states that non-profit organizations use the term to describe, among other
things, the ability of an organization to withstand turmoil. The application of resilience in
academic disciplines is more compelling because it speaks about learners' ability to face life
difficulties such as lack of school fees. In my mind, excelling in school despite encountering
obstacles is a more convincing demonstration of resilience.
Summaries
In matters that touch on education, this term can be used to explain diverse issues such as,
the ability of a student to succeed in challenging circumstances (Novotný & Křeménková, 2016).
In the academic article " The relationship between resilience and academic performance at youth
placed at risk" Novotný & Křeménková, (2016) say that an individual who manages to acquire a
Ph.D. "after missing a significant amount of time due to lack of school fees or because of other
issues like illness can be termed as having resilience" (Novotný & Křeménková, 2016). A
student who comes from a background of extreme poverty and rises to academic achievement is
a reference to what resilience is. What makes this example convincing is that most people who
find themselves in such circumstances choose to give up and blame their failure on their family
backgrounds, instead of fighting to create their luck.
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The application of resilience in schools is also used to describe the learning institutions
that "exceed expectations to help learners achieve results that were not expected due to the
conditions in which they operate" (Novotný & Křeménková, 2016). For instance, a university in
rural Africa that manages to produce students is an example of a resilient institution. One can
argue that the university staff punched above their weight and managed to produce results that
could only be achieved by the internationally renowned institutions.
Resilience is used in academic circles to describe a woman who has from disadvantaged
communities and excelled in education matters (Boylorn, 2017). For instance, one can think of a
girl from a typical traditional African family where the parents do not value education and girls'
education to be specific. Such a woman might have to run away from home to escape early
marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). In addition to fleeing home, she may also have to
seek shelter in a rescue center and acquire education.
In terms of non-profit organizations, resilience is defined as the ability of an institution to
respond to unseen external factors that could negatively affect the organization (Witmer &
Mellinger, 2016). In this regard, an institution with a well-grounded foundation can withstand
turbulence and emerge unscathed. "For an institution to have resilience, there has to be a process
that builds capacity among the workers and systems" (Witmer & Mellinger, 2016). Resilience is
created in various ways, such as the ability to improvise solutions in the face of adversity.
Another way that non-profit organizations apply the word resilience is when referring to
the capacity or willingness of their staff to work under unfavorable conditions. It is instructive to
note that most non-governmental organizations operate in areas experiencing hardships such as
war, famine, and other humanitarian crises. "These factors demand that individuals who seek to
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work for these institutions should be prepared to work under all conditions, and when the call of
duty comes" (Witmer & Mellinger, 2016). Therefore, resilience's use is to describe the
selflessness virtue of staff who offer themselves to the service of humanity in regions that
experience turmoil.
Commonalities
The common thing that exists in the application of resilience among academic and
non-profit organizations is overcoming challenges. The word's use describes the act of dealing
with life difficulties that allow an individual or institution to remain standing after the hardship is
over. In essence, the application of resilience in both can be otherwise described as being
determined.
As is the case with education matters, there is a tendency by individuals within non-profit
organizations to apply resilience in a misplaced manner. One example is when a leader fails to
perform their tasks correctly and speaks about being resilient as soon as financial problems set
in. In this regard, a leader may choose to persuade their subordinates to persevere challenges that
are due to his or her creation (Williams et al., 2017). It is an excellent example of how company
executives misuse or abuse resilience.
Contrasts
The application of resilience to a student brought up in a challenging environment is that
they have worked hard to achieve the feat from the start. In other words, a particular student did
not have the privilege of a comfortable life and had to build resilience from scratch. It is an
application of the term or virtue to describe learners who deal with a myriad of obstacles and end
up emerging victorious among their peers who did not work under the same conditions as
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themselves. In contrast, resilience in non-profit organizations can be used to refer to an
individual who decides to willingly work for the service of people who live in high-risk areas
such as war-torn countries and territories where there is a disease outbreak (Witmer & Mellinger,
2016). This phenomenon means that resilience is, to some extent, preplanned compared to the
ordinary situations where the same emanates from unprecedented challenges. In normal
circumstances, people are used to operating within perfect or comfortable conditions. Rarely do
we hear or witness human beings choosing to work under problematic circumstances. Therefore,
resilience can be a tool that people use to remain complacent and avoid taking responsibility for
their actions. In this regard, the meaning and application of resilience are different from what
most of us understand. The contrast is that whereas a poor student's resilience came through
natural situations, the non-profit employee's resilience is through preplanned determination and
will. It shows the different ways in which individuals apply the word in various contexts and
circumstances
Evaluation
After studying these writers' arguments, I found that the application of resilience in
Academic fields is more compelling. I say so because of the example given about a girl who
overcomes cultural challenges to get at the top of the academic ladder. In the end, the quality of
evidence is what the author compels me. From the author's reasoning, I did not see any form of
rhetoric; instead, they used a compelling tone in their arguments. Regarding being biased, the
writers did not exhibit any form of the same. I found that all the writers' texts resonated equally
with me. This was the case with their recommendations. I say so based on the in-depth research
that is evident in their articles. However, I am tempted to align with (Novotný & Křeménková,
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2016) because they highlight the importance of resilience in academic disciplines of which I
have a soft spot truly cherish.
Conclusion
According to the readings, resilience is the aspect of being determined to withstand
difficulties in life, and not allow obstacles to prevent one from realizing their goals. A lot of
positive aspects have been written about by various authors. Perhaps it is time that we went a
step further and discussed the adverse effects of resilience and how it can be abused. Doing this
will ensure that readers get balanced information on this topic.
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References
Boylorn, R. (2017). Sweetwater: Black Women and Narratives of Resilience, Revised Edition.
Peter Lang Incorporated, International Academic Publishers.
Novotný, J. S., & Křeménková, L. (2016). The relationship between resilience and academic
performance at youth placed at risk. Československá psychologie , 60(6).
Williams, T. A., Gruber, D. A., Sutcliffe, K. M., Shepherd, D. A., & Zhao, E. Y. (2017).
Organizational response to adversity: Fusing crisis management and resilience research
streams. Academy of Management Annals, 11(2), 733-769.
Witmer, H., & Mellinger, M. S. (2016). Organizational resilience: Non-profit organizations'
response to change. Work, 54(2), 255-265.
