How do you as a leader rebound from failure?
As a leader who have experienced failure have two options from which to choose:
1. Remain in the pit of failure or
2. Valiantly rebound from the pit of failure.
Many have mastered the latter, while others fail to rebound.
Why is this so?What’s the difference between those who have rebounded successfully and those who have not? Is it because they are smarter? Is it because of their experience and expertise? Is it because of sheer luck?
While the answer could be yes to one or all of the above, I believe all could rebound successfully if they were to apply the following three action steps.
Before I list and expound on each, I must say, timing is very important. These action steps must be implemented as quickly as possible after the failure. The more time goes by the harder it becomes. I would even go as far as saying, the chance of recovery is very slim.
Here are the three action steps. The order is not set in stone. They are not placed in order of priority. However, all are important.
1. When you mess-up fess-up. Take ownership for your mistake. Don’t try to blame anyone else.
This is one of the most important of the three.
Even though the “messing-up” may not have been a direct result of something you had control over, because you are the leader, take responsibility. Find ways to put the issue in context not as an excuse but as an explanation. However, this is after you have taken responsibility, not before.
You could say something to this effect:
“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to let you know that I’m taking responsibility for the failure that have occurred within the department or company. Had I put in place other checks and balances, this would not have occurred. It was a mistake that may have been prevented. If you’ll give me a chance to rectify it, I can assure you I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that some thing like this never happen again.”
Having done that, the next four action steps are crucial for rebuilding your confidence and poise. Failure has a way of preying on our minds. It can impact our overall performance and that is why, the quicker you can personally reconcile your thoughts about the event, the better it will be.
With that said, here is the second action step:
2. Request Forgiveness
Depending on the issue, requesting forgiveness is one of the most potent action step of the three.
How so?
It allows you to place yourself at the mercy of others. It reflects humility and your humanity. Some times as a leader, you are revered by those you lead. They tend to see you as an expert and as one who is above screwing things up.
By you admitting fault for what happened and then humbly asking the powers that be – your customers and superiors – to forgive you, you bypass the intellect and appeal directly to the emotions.
People are mostly led by emotions.
If you try to argue or prove yourself right or justified, you will come up against those who have mastered the art of persuasion and dissection. They will persuade others not to listen or do a better presentation than you and / or they will tear-apart your defense.
It is difficult however to take the initiative and surprise them with your request. They might not see it coming. It’s one way to catch them “off guard.” They might be prepared for a “fight” but you short-circuited their plan and took the air out of their proverbial balloon.
Your request could be phrased this way after taking responsibility:
“Ladies and gentlemen, I now ask you to forgive me for my oversight or short-sightedness. I was wrong in that aspect and I am sorry. Please forgive me.”
Once you have done that, stop talking. Do not continue to pontificate.
3. Remind yourself that failure happens to the best of us
No one is above screwing things up even their lives. We all make mistakes both big ones and little ones. Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s a part of life. Remember it is just a miss-take.
Whenever we fail at some thing, we somehow get the idea that we are the only one who have ever done that. We know better and could argue that we are not the only one, but it doesn’t take away the fact that we feel that way.
This is where the head have to overpower the heart. The heart – the emotions – cannot be depended on to get us through the immediate stage. We must muscle or power our way through with the mind in the lead and the emotions in tow.
Think of a tow-truck hauling a disabled vehicle to the shop.
Your mind is the tow-truck. It is hauling your emotions to the “shop” for repairs. It is at the shop that the work begins.
Your work is to act-as-if. Behave your way out of the pit. It’s taking one step at a time. It’s doing something that doesn’t take too much mental work. It’s getting up and getting dressed and walking out the door, getting in the car knowing that you are being “worked on.”
You have to reimind yourself that you are not defined by this one moment of failure. Your life is more than one-event.
Think about a loaf of bread.
In that loaf are many slices. Because one of the slices is broken up and is crumbling, doesn’t mean that the other slices are that way. That one “bad” slice should not determine the destiny of the whole loaf.
Life is more than one single event. Move on. This is not the worst thing that can happen to you.
Life is more than one single event. Move on. This is not the worst thing that can happen to you.
These three lessons will make a difference for you as a leader seeking to rebound from a failure. The key is to act expeditiously.
If these 3 leadership tips were helpful, would you take a minute and share with your people? I would really appreciate it. Also, I invite you to be a part of our Facebook group HERE.
