Here is an excerpt from an article written by Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries for Harvard Business Review and the HBR Blog Network. To read the complete article, check out the wealth of free resources, obtain subscription information, and receive HBR email alerts, please click here.

* * *

We all face setbacks from time to time, and the ability to bounce back stronger than before is something we envy in others. So how can we develop that ability in ourselves?

A large body of research shows that resilient people are generally strong in three areas: challenge, control, and commitment. They accept that change, not stability, is the norm; they believe they can influence events in their lives; and they are engaged with the world around them.

This test will help you assess your strengths and weaknesses in these areas and provide feedback on ways to improve.

Here are the Qs and options:

1. You’re told that you won’t be getting the promotion you sought, because another candidate is more qualified.

o Although you are upset, you say nothing.
o You acknowledge that you are disappointed and request a fuller explanation.
o You ask what you need to do to improve your chances for advancement in the future.

2. You overhear an unflattering conversation about yourself.

o You pretend it doesn’t bother you.
o You remind yourself that the speakers don’t know you very well.
o You approach the speakers calmly and express your desire to understand why they see you that way.

3. Your boss comes to you on Friday afternoon with an emergency: He wants to meet with a client on Monday morning and needs you to prepare a feasibility study first. You have a family camping trip planned for the weekend.

o You accept the assignment, not mentioning your weekend plans.
o You mention the camping trip but agree to the assignment after your boss emphasizes its importance.
o You tell your boss that you have made a commitment to your family and ask if he can schedule the meeting for Tuesday instead.

4. You learn that your company will be opening an office in Beijing. Succeeding in that market would be difficult, but you know that you have the right experience to lead the office.

o You consider the risks and decide not to pursue the opportunity.
o You discuss the pros and cons with some of the people in your network.
o You throw your hat into the ring.

5. Your best friend says that he is worried about your health and suggests that you join his fitness club.

o You say, “No, thanks. I’m fine.”
o You agree that the fitness club is a good idea and make a note in your calendar to look into it.
o You take his concern to heart and arrange to visit the club together.

6. Your company’s subsidiary in Africa requests financial and technical support for a high school in the region. Although there would be no immediate monetary benefit to the firm, this is a valuable opportunity to build a reputation as a socially responsible employer.

o You decline the request on cost grounds.
o You agree to give the matter serious consideration.
o You give your consent and call a friend at the World Bank for suggestions on how to launch the initiative.

7. A major client tells you that a contract you worked hard to win has been given to a competitor.

o You tell your team that you made every effort to land the client.
o You put the setback out of your mind, accepting that some factors in the client’s decision were beyond your control.
o You reflect on the experience, realizing that you now have a much better understanding of how to deal with this client in the future.

8. Early in your career you had set a goal to become general manager at a Fortune 1000 company by age 50. The clock is ticking: You’re 48, and you’re a division head.

o You accept your current role and decide to make the best of it.
o You continue striving for advancement but lower your ambitions a bit.
o You figure out a way to reach your goal.

9. Work has become increasingly stressful. There are too many deadlines, too many requests, too many late nights.

o You tell yourself, “This too shall pass.”
o You try to give some of your work to a colleague.
o You request a vacation or a leave of absence to recharge.

There are no “correct” answers, only honest and dishonest answers. Proceed accordingly.

Please click here to take the test and then submit your responses.

Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries is the Distinguished Professor of Leadership Development and Organizational Change at INSEAD in France, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. His most recent book is The Hedgehog Effect: The Secrets of Building High Performance Teams (Wiley, 2011).