How to turn learned helplessness into learned resilience

In their experiment, Seligman and Maier placed dogs in harnesses where they were exposed to mild but inescapable electric shocks. Some dogs were able to control their situation by pressing a lever that would stop the shocks, while others had no such power. Later, when all dogs were placed in a new setting where they could easily escape by jumping over a low barrier, those that had previously experienced inescapable pain did not even try. They had learned that their actions were futile and simply lay down, accepting their suffering even when relief was within reach.

This discovery had profound implications for understanding human behavior, too.

It showed that when people are repeatedly subjected to stress, setbacks, or failures without perceiving a way to influence the outcome, they often develop a passive resignation to their circumstances. Instead of seeking solutions, they come to believe that no effort will make a difference. The mind, once wired for resilience and problem-solving, retreats into apathy and surrender.

In our Never Normal world, the rapid and relentless pace of change can trigger a similar response. Technological disruption, economic hardship, geopolitical instability, biological shocks, social shifts, job automation, climate crises and the constant demand to adapt can create a sense of powerlessness, leading individuals to feel that they have no control over their lives. Many people start to feel as though they are at the mercy of forces too vast to counteract.

The danger of learned helplessness in this context is profound. When individuals stop believing in their ability to shape their own future, they disengage. They stop seeking new skills, avoid taking risks, and surrender to stagnation. Entire organizations and societies can fall into this psychological trap, losing the dynamism and creative energy necessary to navigate uncertain times.

Learned helplessness, however, can also be unlearned. Psychologists have shown that individuals can break free from this cycle by experiencing small wins: situations where their actions do produce positive results, even if they only breed minor successes.

That is why I advocate for cultivating “learned resilience”: the belief that no matter how daunting the circumstances, effort and adaptability will still lead to progress. I believe that the paralysis of helplessness can be counteracted if we learn how to actively reframe challenges as opportunities for growth. 

That’s where leaders, educators, and institutions can play a hugely important role: by fostering this mindset and creating environments where people are encouraged to take action, experiment, and recover from failure.