Resilience as Paradox, Paradoxes of Resilience

We approach resilience (i.e., elasticity under pressure) with a paradox lens. Paradox refers to persistent interdependent oppositions. We discuss resilience as paradoxical and explore the potential of organizational paradox theory to expand our knowledge of resilience. Specifically, we consider four inherent tensions at the core of the resilience process (robustness vs numbness, strength vs vulnerability, preparation vs reaction, and individual vs collective) and explore how they manifest as paradoxes that need to be navigated. We explain that continued resilience results from the dynamic interplay and the quality of the integration of these opposites on an ongoing basis.