Resilience Capacity is a leaky tyre

When we talk about resilience in Defence, we often think of toughness, grit, and pushing through when thingsget hard. But resilience isn’t just about bouncing back after a tough day—it’s about having the inner resources to respond, recover, and continue to operate with clarity and control, even under sustained pressure.

What if we could go a step further? Instead of waiting to bounce back, what if we focused on bouncing ready?That’s the idea behind ‘pre-silience’—the proactive work we do to build capacity before the challenge hits. If resilience is the reaction, presilience is the preparation.

Here’s the hard truth: our capacity to be resilient isn’t fixed. It’s not a badge we earn once and keep forever. It’smore like a tyre with a slow leak. Over time, daily stress, workload, and life’s many demands deflate our reserves.Without consistently reinflating—through small, intentional actions—we may run flat when we needperformance most.

I recently returned to military flying after six years at home with two small children. Week one of PC-21conversation brought joy and momentum—I felt like I belonged in the cockpit again. The stick felt light in mygrip, and the wings an extension of my body. By week two, the early wins gave way to performance pressure, andI began to fall off the learning curve. The tyre was leaking, and fast. I found myself spiralling—mentally andemotionally—as I struggled to keep pace and accommodate uncomfortable feedback. I couldn’t change the paceof the training or the speed of this incredible machine, so I turned to what I could control: my physiology,mindset, and recovery strategies

So, what does it take to reinflate?

Think of our capacity like a battery. We won’t have the reserves to respond well under pressure if we're constantlydischarging without recharging. The best operators—on the flight line, in the boardroom, or in the field—protecttheir energy like a strategic resource.

Here are three micro-strategies to start reinvesting in our capacity today:

1. Strategic Pause:

Even 60 seconds of conscious breath, a short walk, or a ‘no-phone’ break can help reset ournervous system. This isn't downtime—it's tactical recovery.

2. Connection Moments:

Small, positive social interactions—whether with a mate, partner, or even a stranger—boost our mood and buffer stress. Connection builds resilience.

3. Meaning Reminders:

Take 30 seconds at the start of the day to reconnect with why we do what we do.Purpose is high-octane fuel for perseverance.

I used all of these tools in that second week—every connection, every conscious breath and every reminder ofpurpose helped reinflate the tyre. And just enough air held long enough for me to reset, recover, and lift mygame. By the end of the week, I was riding the learning curve again.

Resilience isn’t about always pushing harder in reaction to circumstances. It’s about building our presilience.Because the warfighter who invests in their capacity daily is ready when it matters most.

Self-Coaching Check-in: Presilience

• How full is my mental and emotional tank right now?

• What daily habit helps me feel steady and clear-headed?

• Have I taken even a short pause today to reset or recharge?What’s one thing I can do today to invest in my future resilience?