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By Lauren Reuss
What does resilience mean? This is the question that greeted me at the 2022 United States Naval Academy Leadership Conference, Resilience Rising: Forging Through Adversity. I can practically separate my life into chapters based on the kinds of adversity that have been present. After receiving a plethora of “no’s,” a series of rejections, taking difficult classes, having doors closed in my face, struggling with doubt, and the most obvious – living through two years of a global pandemic – I was
pretty confident I knew what it meant to be resilient. But being confronted by the question, being
challenged to understand what it meant to forge through adverse life experiences and rise from the ashes
renewed and determined, was a whole new lesson I was unaware I needed.
pretty confident I knew what it meant to be resilient. But being confronted by the question, being
challenged to understand what it meant to forge through adverse life experiences and rise from the ashes
renewed and determined, was a whole new lesson I was unaware I needed.
On January 23rd , I hopped on a plane at the crack of dawn to fly to Annapolis and meet with midshipmen, ROTC students from across the country, and even a few mid-career professionals to learn about the importance of resilience and our response to adversity. Having heard about the conference from several former attendees, I knew this experience would be an engaging catalyst for growth. Despite their
assurance, I wasn’t sure what kinds of conversations I’d have, or how much I’d be able to contribute as a
civilian. Nevertheless, I was excited to gain a new perspective and add tools to my repertoire for the
inevitable obstacles that lie ahead.
assurance, I wasn’t sure what kinds of conversations I’d have, or how much I’d be able to contribute as a
civilian. Nevertheless, I was excited to gain a new perspective and add tools to my repertoire for the
inevitable obstacles that lie ahead.
The conference began with a lecture by retired Navy SEAL Lt. Jason Redman on “Getting off the X.” Lt.
Redman explained that everyone is impacted by life’s ambushes, and the key to overcoming them is how
we react. Redman’s critical examination of his own life and struggles quickly humbled me to see that
there was no holding back during the conference; after hearing just how decimated he’d been through his
career, I knew that the growth this week wouldn’t stem from having new concepts to work with, but by
recognizing what challenges have shaped me and committing to do better as a leader. Redman’s
determination that he would not be another sob story, statistic, or “broken soldier to pity,” helped us to
begin the week raw and ready to share in our small groups.
Redman explained that everyone is impacted by life’s ambushes, and the key to overcoming them is how
we react. Redman’s critical examination of his own life and struggles quickly humbled me to see that
there was no holding back during the conference; after hearing just how decimated he’d been through his
career, I knew that the growth this week wouldn’t stem from having new concepts to work with, but by
recognizing what challenges have shaped me and committing to do better as a leader. Redman’s
determination that he would not be another sob story, statistic, or “broken soldier to pity,” helped us to
begin the week raw and ready to share in our small groups.
At first glance a bunch of rag-tag misfits (well, as rag-tag as a Danish Naval Officer, an Airforce Colonel,
an OCS Marine, maritime missionary, midshipman, and a gal from Louisville can look in formal business
attire and a full dress uniform), my small group quickly became my favorite part of the experience. After
every lecture or panel, we’d meet to discuss what we heard and how it related to our ow experiences as
leaders. Barriers and formalities were quickly broken down, and we found ourselves forging deep bonds
as we looked at leadership from different angles, reminiscing on our personal highs and lows as leaders.
an OCS Marine, maritime missionary, midshipman, and a gal from Louisville can look in formal business
attire and a full dress uniform), my small group quickly became my favorite part of the experience. After
every lecture or panel, we’d meet to discuss what we heard and how it related to our ow experiences as
leaders. Barriers and formalities were quickly broken down, and we found ourselves forging deep bonds
as we looked at leadership from different angles, reminiscing on our personal highs and lows as leaders.
Despite our very different lives, we connected deeply in seeing just how much adversity was written into
our stories; the lessons we took away from our conversations were therapeutic and rewarding.
The following are just a few of the lessons (grouped by emergent themes) that I wish to share with you:
our stories; the lessons we took away from our conversations were therapeutic and rewarding.
The following are just a few of the lessons (grouped by emergent themes) that I wish to share with you:
Resilience is in preparation and in your RESPONSE:
1. By the time you hear the thunder, it is too late to build the ark.
2. The sooner you get off the “X,” (the point of failure or life ambush) the better you’ll be.
3. Resilience is about falling and getting back up again.
4. When you inevitably fail, fail FORWARD.
5. There are two paths: adapt or perish.
6. There are three kinds of people who fail; be the kind that is ANTIFRAGILE.
7. When in a crisis, respond productively.
8. Be authentic, transparent, and agile.
9. After the crisis, do not be risk averse.
1. By the time you hear the thunder, it is too late to build the ark.
2. The sooner you get off the “X,” (the point of failure or life ambush) the better you’ll be.
3. Resilience is about falling and getting back up again.
4. When you inevitably fail, fail FORWARD.
5. There are two paths: adapt or perish.
6. There are three kinds of people who fail; be the kind that is ANTIFRAGILE.
7. When in a crisis, respond productively.
8. Be authentic, transparent, and agile.
9. After the crisis, do not be risk averse.
Resilience is about MENTALITY:
1. Practice stoicism (I encourage you to read Marcus Aurelius or Epicurus). Exercise self-denial.
2. You don’t get to take time off as a leader. There are no short cuts and no “clocking out” of being
a person of principle.
3. Prepare for loss; know that every day could be your last day of peace.
4. Take responsibility for your actions – especially when bad.
5. Be a coachable team member and leader.
6. Compartmentalization is healthy, and so is seeking professional help.
7. Don’t be a moral coward.
8. It’s okay to have a pity party… but set a limit on it.
9. Your language determines your approach – speak wisely.
1. Practice stoicism (I encourage you to read Marcus Aurelius or Epicurus). Exercise self-denial.
2. You don’t get to take time off as a leader. There are no short cuts and no “clocking out” of being
a person of principle.
3. Prepare for loss; know that every day could be your last day of peace.
4. Take responsibility for your actions – especially when bad.
5. Be a coachable team member and leader.
6. Compartmentalization is healthy, and so is seeking professional help.
7. Don’t be a moral coward.
8. It’s okay to have a pity party… but set a limit on it.
9. Your language determines your approach – speak wisely.
Resilience is a GROUP EFFORT:
1. Build a good relationship with the people around you.
2. Give your people a reason to follow you.
3. The best way to get your team to open up to you is to be open yourself.
4. Make a genuine commitment to understanding others.
5. Pay attention to your peers.
6. People get hurt when you respond to stress poorly.
7. Be the strong, fair friend.
8. DO what is right, even when you don’t like it or the decision isn’t popular.
9. You exist in community and lead other people. RELY on your team to help you.
1. Build a good relationship with the people around you.
2. Give your people a reason to follow you.
3. The best way to get your team to open up to you is to be open yourself.
4. Make a genuine commitment to understanding others.
5. Pay attention to your peers.
6. People get hurt when you respond to stress poorly.
7. Be the strong, fair friend.
8. DO what is right, even when you don’t like it or the decision isn’t popular.
9. You exist in community and lead other people. RELY on your team to help you.
Adversity isn’t all bad:
1. If the purpose of adversity is learning, you’ll be better for it.
2. The struggle is the goal.
3. If life is hard, lean in a little bit harder.
4. Extraordinary people are normal people that rose to the occasion.
5. Your friends come back to celebrate YOU, not your results.
6. It’s okay to not check all the boxes or let go of your lists.
7. Let go of perfect, it is the enemy of the good.
8. Know the second and third effects of your decision.
9. Look first at possibilities, then probabilities.
1. If the purpose of adversity is learning, you’ll be better for it.
2. The struggle is the goal.
3. If life is hard, lean in a little bit harder.
4. Extraordinary people are normal people that rose to the occasion.
5. Your friends come back to celebrate YOU, not your results.
6. It’s okay to not check all the boxes or let go of your lists.
7. Let go of perfect, it is the enemy of the good.
8. Know the second and third effects of your decision.
9. Look first at possibilities, then probabilities.
Know WHY you are resilient:
1. Recognize the depth of your work and sacrifice.
2. Learn what sacrifice is.
3. When you’ve lost so much, remember what a privilege it has been to serve.
4. Mission first, people always.
5. Duty is the highest form of love.
1. Recognize the depth of your work and sacrifice.
2. Learn what sacrifice is.
3. When you’ve lost so much, remember what a privilege it has been to serve.
4. Mission first, people always.
5. Duty is the highest form of love.
The perfect conclusion to these conversations was the writing on the wall – no, literally. After long days
of conference, we concluded with a picture before the towering granite of Bancroft hall. Taking an
opportunity to go inside, we learned a little more about what it’s like to be a student at the academy and
about embodying the lessons of leaders long past. Spanning the wall facing the entrance was a flag with
the mantra “Don’t Give Up the Ship.” This famous last line of Commander James Lawrence on the USS
Chesapeake serves as a reminder to the midshipmen to keep going, never surrender, and above all to keep
working. After listening to such pivotal speakers and breaking and rebuilding in small groups, this adage
was both a nod to the need to be resilient and a poignant reminder of why. We are resilient because we
believe in something greater, serve missions that are time immemorial, and lead people to be more.
of conference, we concluded with a picture before the towering granite of Bancroft hall. Taking an
opportunity to go inside, we learned a little more about what it’s like to be a student at the academy and
about embodying the lessons of leaders long past. Spanning the wall facing the entrance was a flag with
the mantra “Don’t Give Up the Ship.” This famous last line of Commander James Lawrence on the USS
Chesapeake serves as a reminder to the midshipmen to keep going, never surrender, and above all to keep
working. After listening to such pivotal speakers and breaking and rebuilding in small groups, this adage
was both a nod to the need to be resilient and a poignant reminder of why. We are resilient because we
believe in something greater, serve missions that are time immemorial, and lead people to be more.
Looking back on my story, I see that it has not been the adversity that has shaped each chapter, but the
resilience within and around me. My no’s turned into undeniable yeses. Rejections led to clarity and
understanding, and difficult challenges led to incredible personal growth and self-awareness. Closed
doors manifested open windows, doubts led to confidence, and the pandemic – well, the jury’s still out.
But despite every obstacle, I’ve come back better and stronger and with a renewed commitment to the
mission. And even though there are greater challenges ahead, I know that with a resilient mind,
motivating team, and a commitment to being antifragile as I fail forward, I will rise.
resilience within and around me. My no’s turned into undeniable yeses. Rejections led to clarity and
understanding, and difficult challenges led to incredible personal growth and self-awareness. Closed
doors manifested open windows, doubts led to confidence, and the pandemic – well, the jury’s still out.
But despite every obstacle, I’ve come back better and stronger and with a renewed commitment to the
mission. And even though there are greater challenges ahead, I know that with a resilient mind,
motivating team, and a commitment to being antifragile as I fail forward, I will rise.
Lauren Reuss is a McConnell Scholar in the class of 2022. She is studying political science, economics, and philosophy at the University of Louisville.