The 7 C's of Resilience and Youth Leadership

When you think of leadership you may not automatically think of the role that resilience can play. Resilient leaders can identify their strengths, acquire skills to cope, recover from adversity, and be prepared to face future challenges.

There are 7 major elements that help to build and support resilience in youth. These come from Dr. Kenneth Ginsberg, who adapted the “7C’s of Resilience” from the Positive Youth Development Movement, as well as the work of Rick Little at the International Youth Foundation.

The 7 C’s are:

Competence: The feeling that you can handle a situation effectively.

Confidence: A belief in your own abilities.

Connection: The development of close ties to others.

Character: The development of morals and values that help you determine right from wrong and contribute to the development of a caring attitude towards others.

Contribution: The realization that the world is a better place because you are in it, and you are able to contribute.

Coping: The ability to cope effectively, especially when under stress.

Control: The realization that you can affect outcomes through your decisions and that you can bounce back.

In the Professional Development Program (PDP) training, “Promoting Resilience: Fostering Youth Empowerment”, participants explore and practice strategies to develop the “7 C’s of Resilience” in youth. These strategies are simple yet effective and can easily be used by adults in their day-to-day interactions with youth.

For more information and support, reach out to the Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) in your region and check out the PDP training “Promoting Resilience: Fostering Youth Empowerment”.