Why resilient businesses need resilient people

Days such as R U OK? Day put conversations about mental health in the spotlight, but City of Moreton Bay business leaders are being encouraged to make checking in with themselves and their people part of how they operate year-round.

Sidelines Consulting & Advisory Managing Director and resilience coach Elizabeth “Liz” Pickworth said rising costs, financial pressure, workforce challenges and changing consumer behaviour were placing significant pressure on business owners and employees.

With 33,587 businesses supporting more than 176,000 local jobs in the City of Moreton Bay in 2025, Liz said the resilience of the people behind those businesses had broader implications for the local economy.

“Behind every ABN is a person,” Liz said.

“In business, we often talk about doing more with less, but the reality is that people can only absorb so much pressure before it begins to affect decision-making, creativity, health and performance.”

It is an issue Liz understands personally.

During a period of financial hardship, she put her own wellbeing last. At 31, Liz was diagnosed with a rare stage IV cancer, which she said may have been detected earlier had she felt able to prioritise her health.

Now 39 and living with incurable cancer, Liz continues to run her own business and work with organisations and individuals navigating high-pressure situations.

“Resilience has never meant pretending everything is fine,” Liz said.

“For me, resilience has meant asking for help, protecting my health, staying connected to my purpose and taking the next practical step.”

Liz said business resilience needed to be practical, combining the wellbeing of owners and employees with strong commercial foundations.

Tips for how to build a more resilient business 

1. Treat wellbeing as business continuity
   Recognise that the health of business owners and employees can affect performance. Encourage people to seek support early rather than waiting until problems become critical.
2. Build relationships before you need them
   Develop connections with other business owners, chambers and professional networks that can provide support and reduce isolation during difficult periods.
3. Know your numbers
   Review cash flow regularly, understand your break-even point and have a plan for periods when trading conditions become more difficult.
4. Strengthen your systems
   Build strong supplier relationships and document important processes so the business is less vulnerable when circumstances change.
5. Keep learning
   Build skills in areas such as digital tools, AI, customer experience, financial literacy and workforce planning as business conditions evolve.
6. Check in with your people
   Create a workplace where employees can speak honestly about workload and seek support before pressure leads to burnout.

With the City of Moreton Bay working towards a $40 billion economy and 100,000 new jobs by 2041, Liz said the ability of businesses and their people to adapt would become increasingly important.

Strong professional networks could also play a role. Liz has built connections through the Moreton Daily Business Circle and North Lakes Chamber of Commerce and said relationships with people who understood the realities of business could make challenging periods feel less isolating.

For Liz, investing in people should ultimately be viewed alongside the other fundamentals required to build a sustainable business.

“A resilient business is built by resilient people,” Liz said.

“When we look after people, we strengthen businesses. When we strengthen businesses, we strengthen communities.”