CIC Elevate: Resilience & Wellbeing — How to Perform at Your Best Without Burning Out

Sustainable high performance isn’t just about hard work — it’s about having a system that supports it.

At our latest CIC Elevate session, we explored the intersection of resilience, wellbeing and performance — a conversation that feels especially relevant in a sector as demanding as building materials.

We were joined by Olympic Gold Medallist Susannah Townsend, alongside Elevate Chair Niki Harvey, who challenged the idea that resilience is something you’re born with. Instead, they reframed it as a muscle — one that can, and should, be trained.

Key insights from the session

• Resilience is trainable: Built through preparation, emotional regulation and intentional recovery.
• Recovery is a schedule, not an accident: Elite performers plan rest with the same rigour as training. Without structured recovery, we erode our capacity to perform.
• Psychological safety drives performance: High-performing teams combine high challenge with high support, creating environments where people can push boundaries safely.
• Purpose over ego: Sustainable success comes from knowing why your work matters and who it serves — not just titles or results.
• The 1% Rule: True progress rarely comes from a single big push. It’s the accumulation of small, consistent improvements that builds lasting impact.

A huge thank you to Susannah for sharing her elite-level insights, and to all participants for their openness and candour throughout the breakout discussions.

Coalition Members can request a link to the session recording by contacting info@builtonbetter.uk.

About CIC Elevate

The CIC Elevate Network is redefining what gender inclusion looks like across the building materials sector. In just two years, more than 250 women from 30 member businesses have taken part in ten Elevate sessions — each designed to equip women with the skills, confidence and connections to progress their careers and raise the visibility of female talent across construction.

Elevate sessions combine inspirational career stories, peer-to-peer discussion and practical workshops focused on confidence, belonging and progression. They provide a trusted space for women often working in male-dominated environments to share experiences, build networks and develop the tools to thrive.

To learn more about upcoming Elevate sessions and other CIC initiatives, contact the team at info@builtonbetter.uk.