For years, the towering skyscrapers of Hong Kong have been shrouded in a veil of bamboo scaffolding. During a recent visit to the city, I was curious as to why, in a world that has long embraced modern construction materials, this incredibly advanced city still relies on this ancient solution. I discovered a wonderful analogy between bamboo scaffolding and building resilient teams.
An Ancient Craft
In Hong Kong, skilled scaffolders can erect enough bamboo to engulf a building in mere hours, using techniques that have been passed down through generations for thousands of years. The skill of tying the threads to secure the bamboo is a craft as ancient as resilience itself. Throughout history, we have been inspired by stories of resilience—of people who have overcome significant obstacles and succeeded against the odds. These stories hold valuable lessons for our modern world.
Why Bamboo Scaffolding
Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world where bamboo is still widely used for scaffolding in construction. Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants, with some species capable of growing 60 cm a day and reaching heights of 40 meters. Its thick underground roots, called rhizomes, allow it to grow quickly, creating new shoots meters away. Bamboo’s internal cell-like structure enables it to withstand compression, making it an ideal material for scaffolding.
Compared to steel and aluminum, which are more commonly used in mainland China and elsewhere in Asia, bamboo is much lighter, six times faster to erect, and twelve times faster to dismantle. It’s also a fraction of the cost. Bamboo scaffolding doesn’t require sophisticated machinery or complex tools; it only needs skilled workers with nylon ties. If properly erected, bamboo scaffolding can be stronger than steel and far more flexible.
The resulting structure is also easy to modify if necessary. Bamboo scaffolding can be used for entire structures or parts of them. In Hong Kong, it is common to see “bamboo balconies” jutting from the sides of buildings where renovations are being carried out on individual units many floors up. A bamboo pole can also be cut to fit awkward spaces, which is ideal in Hong Kong, where construction areas can be tight amid the densely packed maze of buildings.
Resilience Program Essentials: Building Resilient Teams
Just as bamboo’s internal cell-like structure allows it to withstand compression, building capacity for resilience enables a team to endure pressure and overcome significant obstacles.
Here are four essentials for ensuring a sustainable program for building resilient teams:
- A Robust Resilience Framework
Expecting teams to build resilience through trial and error is neither fair nor productive. Just as scaffolding supports construction workers, an effective resilience program offers foundational support during challenging times. A structured framework provides a shared set of tools and creates a common language. When working with teams using our Resilience Playbook, this shared language encourages connection. Although every person faces unique challenges, the tools unite them.
Your framework must reflect the insights of resilience scientists who have contributed valuable knowledge over the past 50 years through comprehensive research. A robust program ensures that all resilience competencies are covered. Just as bamboo scaffolding is strengthened by binding and connecting its pieces, creating enduring support, a resilience framework connects and reinforces concepts, embedding them into daily practice.
- An Adaptive Structure
Just as scaffolding must adjust to varying building designs, teams need adaptable strategies that cater to diverse skills and changing circumstances to maintain resilience. Both processes require flexibility. The final step in our Resilience Playbook is to “Own Your Struggle Story.” This opportunity allows team members to customize their learning and commit to next steps. Creating and sharing their stories highlights the uniqueness of individuals within the team. It consolidates their learning, and brings their collective coping strategies to the fore.
- Built-in Support & Growth
Just as scaffolding is removed once the building is complete, building resilient teams requires a framework that can evolve and adapt to the team’s growth, providing support when needed while encouraging independence over time. Some teams encourage individuals to choose accountability partners.Ssomeone they feel safe being vulnerable with, yet someone who they respect enough to want to demonstrate their own growth to. The expectation is set that mastering the competencies is the goal. With each check-in, partners celebrate wins and address gaps. This is a great way to embed the competencies.
- Practical Tools & Techniques
The ancient art of tying nylon threads to connect bamboo doesn’t require sophisticated machinery, just skilled workers using simple yet impactful techniques. Hardwiring resilient habits requires the repetition of well-researched tools and techniques. Simple, practical techniques, repeated consistently in both your personal and professional life, yield substantial gains in building resilience. We refer to our techniques as “Smart Moves,” and the entire program comprises only twelve Smart Moves. Ensure that the tools and techniques you select for your Resilience Program Framework are straightforward and applicable to daily life.
With these four essentials, you will be well on your way to establishing a sustainable program that enhances the resilience capacity of your team. Just as the thick underground roots of bamboo allow it to create new shoots, this foundation will enable your team to thrive amidst challenges.
Try our free resilience quiz with your team.
If you are ready to own your struggle story, try our new on-demand learning course. We have partnered with MSC Education to deliver The Resilience Essentials.
