Page 67 - JSOM Winter 2023

SOST medic narratives that code under the theme discussed. FIGURE 1 Operational model of unconventional resilience.
As such, quotes are an aggregate analysis, which not only
draws a holistic blueprint of the entire data set, but also rep-
resents the co-ed composition of the organization.

Conventional and Unconventional Resilience:
Comparison of Operational Models
To briefly remind the reader, in the first article we explained
how performance in the conventional resilience construct
entailed mental toughness based on a limited substitution of
negative thoughts with positive ideas. Combat exposure was
assumed as the hardship that must be resisted to maintain op-
timal performance. In this model, positive thoughts maintain
optimal performance in combat. Performance is thought to
be adversely affected by fixation on negative thoughts, which
degrades individual ability to resist adversity. An individual
should exchange negative with positive thoughts to return to
baseline performance. 3

The operational model of conventional resilience highlights: contracts in response to stimuli. According to this model, ad-
1) a hyperfocus on individuals’ cognitive performance; 2) dis- versity is pressure and causes fluctuation in movement at any
connection from the interactive nature of operational medi- level of the ecosystem. To optimize practical performance, the
cine; and 3) decontextualization of performance from the ecosystem must fluidly adapt to constant stimuli, which in-
3
deployment cycle. These attributes generate a rigid and closed troduces ambiguity. This ambiguity is dynamically balanced
system wherein an individual’s thoughts are the main source of through homeostasis in the ecosystem, which facilitates a
information used to discern and mediate what is perceived as cohesive response across all levels and avoids practical per-
4
positive or negative experience. Individuals assess their own formance degradation. If not addressed, areas of sclerosis
thoughts and behaviors in a self-validating loop that infinitely between levels occlude the flow of movement, eventually re-
circulates easily causing rumination. Consequently, this model sulting in rigid and closed systems within the larger ecosystem,
could tend to reinforce repetitive thoughts that eliminate novel and degradation of practical performance.
ideas from the problem-solving process.
Thus, our operational model of unconventional resilience in-
In contrast to the operational model of conventional resilience, tegrates the major components of our strategic framework by
we provide a schematic of unconventional resilience that iden- focusing on how movement impacts practical performance.
tifies the relationships upon which practical performance is Notably, this diagram integrates the cognitive performance of
predicated in a cohesive ecosystem. Organizational perfor- conventional resilience because thoughts represent change that
mance occurs at the macro level. Team performance occurs at can be observed for their force of movement. By evaluating
the mezzo level. Individual performance occurs at the micro the movement of thought, whether positive or negative, for its
level. Figure 1 represents an operational model of unconven- ability to enable dynamic freedom of maneuver in ambiguity
tional resilience. that facilitates connection with self, other and world, we can
establish whether or not it supports practical performance. As
Within this simple diagram, the gray textured background our operational model of unconventional resilience does not
symbolizes the operating environment of the deployment cycle limit practical performance to individual cognition, it: 1) en-
within which practical performance is contextualized. Dark, ables adaptive performance under adversity; 2) capitalizes on
medium, and light gray circles symbolize organizational, team, diverse human experiences; and 3) fosters a holistic relation-
and individual practical performance, respectively. Black ship with hardship.
dashes symbolize semi-permeability wherein organization,
team, and individual practical performance influence each Unconventional Resilience:
other. Movement occurs within and across individual levels Qualitative Exemplars of Operational Model
in the ecosystem, interacting with the environment. This open-
ness to environmental change contributes to diverse experi- To illustrate the interstitial levels of this ecosystem and their
ences, which constantly influence practical performance in all roles in our operational model of unconventional resilience,
directions. It is important to note that the ecosystem functions we present SOST data to demonstrate how relationships
are not solely dependent on an individual maintaining or re- fluctuate within the cohesive ecosystem and create a force of
turning to a baseline performance, in contrast to the conven- movement that is regulated and redirected by dynamic bal-
tional model. Environmental stimulus is not only expected, but ance, contributing to changes in the ecosystem. Homeostasis
also presents a positive opportunity for innovation as practical is achieved when ambiguity is interpreted and integrated to
performance requires synchronization of movement at all lev- transform change into potentiality, which serves to optimize
els of the ecosystem. practical performance. We use an exemplar from each level of
unconventional resilience to illustrate how the coherent eco-
This operational model of unconventional resilience implies system operates: organization, team, and individual. Addition-
an open ecosystem between levels and the environment. It ally, these examples focus on SOST as it relates to practical
facilitates cohesive practical performance that expands and performance in a SOF mission.

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