Failure

#Beingaleader means you will fail. At some point in time. Likely at many points. It’s just part of the journey you’ve been called to as a leader. Sometimes it’s an actual failure. Sometimes it just feels like a failure. Either one can be devastating to you, to others or to the project. And it’s unavoidable.

Failure to act. Failure to act quickly enough. Failure to slow down and contemplate the right move. Failure to choose the right thing. Failure to respond appropriately. Failure to have imagination. Failure to follow through. Failure to communicate. The failure list goes on and on. And one or more likely all of these will happen to you. Again and again.

So the question really isn’t whether you will fail. But rather how will you respond to the inevitable failures in your life. Once it happens, do you freak? Does it shut you down? Or do you recognize it as part of the journey. Regroup. And keep moving forward?

I’m not saying it won’t hurt. I’m not saying ignore the pain. But keep going. Keep pursuing the calling. The drive. The passion. This isn’t a post about learning from your mistakes or your failures. It’s about not giving up when those mistakes and failures happen.

People are counting on you to continue. Things won’t get done. People won’t be served if you quit. So don’t. Recognize the failure and mitigate the damage if possible. But don’t stop. Figure out how you got off the path and re-calibrate your next steps. Then take the next steps.

#Beingaleader means you will fail. Expect it. Keep going anyway.