Leadership in Crisis: Self-Care Strategies for Government Workers in 2025 | Proven Resilience Techniques

The Weight We Carry

In the world of government service, this week has felt like a thousand years. And that's OK.

There's a certain heaviness that settles on your shoulders when you're responsible for both policy and people. As I watched the sunrise this morning—camera in hand for my daily ritual—I found myself reflecting on what it means to lead with humanity during uncertain times.

They say "a person is great, people are terrible." But I've found the opposite to be true in my team. Individual worries compound, certainly, but so does collective resilience. Together, we find strength that eludes us in isolation.

The Science of Positive Leadership

I was listening to The Happiness Lab podcast recently, where they explored leadership and qualification. What struck me most was the research showing how employees are genuinely driven by positive praise rather than fear or criticism. It's not just feel-good psychology—it's science.

The simplest honest, specific compliment can dramatically increase productivity. It costs nothing, yet the rewards ripple outward in ways we can barely measure. I've noticed that when I take the time to put appreciation into text or email, it creates something tangible that team members can revisit during difficult moments. The vision we share as leaders orients the entire team, especially when the path forward seems obscured.

Finding Small Anchors in Shifting Tides

We're all worried about what happens next. Living day-to-day in this uncertainty is profoundly frustrating. Yet it's precisely during these times that small rituals become lifelines.

I've started a practice that feels almost silly to admit. Each morning, when I take my dog out, I capture a photo of the skyline. I post it on Instagram not because it's profound photography, but because it's my way of saying to my family—and to myself—"I'm here. I'm present. I noticed this moment." It's a tiny anchor in shifting tides.

My commitment to proper nutrition might seem trivial against the backdrop of organizational challenges, but I've learned that protein-rich meals help me maintain emotional equilibrium. When I'm properly nourished, I'm less likely to respond from a place of frustration or displaced anger. Self-care isn't selfish—it's essential infrastructure.

Finding Joy in Ordinary Pleasures

I've rediscovered the grounding power of activities that once seemed peripheral to "real work"—puzzling, journaling, reading. And here's what I've learned: it doesn't have to be the next great American novel or profound literature. Sometimes it's fantasy that carries me away, sometimes horror that reminds me things could always be worse.

I've been consuming podcasts about navigating difficult times and self-coaching techniques. Recently completing the Positive Intelligence program taught me about "PQ reps"—small grounding techniques that bring you back to center when thoughts spiral toward worry.

Creating Space for Connection

Next week, I'll have the distinct honor of providing a grounding session during a staff break. These moments where we pause collectively matter more than we realize. I've begun holding "musters" twice weekly—not because we always have critical updates, but because my team deserves to have the same information I do. These gatherings create space where we can voice fears and think aloud together.

Yes, every week might bring new challenges. Stress will undoubtedly visit us regularly. But as we cultivate person-centric leadership styles, we ensure our teams have permission to care for themselves—which ultimately allows them to better care for others and the public we serve.

Looking Forward

Every day offers a fresh opportunity to help others, to notice the skyline, to share information that eases uncertainty. Leading through difficult times isn't about having all the answers—it's about creating environments where questions can be safely asked, where vulnerabilities can be acknowledged, and where small victories are celebrated.

For me, true resilience isn't about never bending—it's about finding new ways to stand upright again after the winds have blown through.

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