“To err is human,” as the saying goes, and leaders are not immune to failure, either. What sets them apart is their ability to take stock of their weaknesses and move past them better and faster than the average employee. It is a skill that takes time and practice—something that is acquired through years of following and leadership. In other words, embracing your weaknesses will ripple through your life in far-reaching ways.
Here are three things to emulate from great leaders so you can master the art of failing and recovering:
- They know what they’re made of— and what they’re not
You don’t become a leader without knowing what can get you to the top. Great leaders develop a high sense of self-awareness and they understand themselves better than most people. They know their areas of expertise and how to apply themselves but more importantly, they own up to their shortcomings.
Forbes quoted a 2010 study which found that a realistic grasp of your own abilities and weaknesses may predicate your level of success. This is not just in terms of technical skills, but also in your personality, because a high sense of self-awareness also equates to high emotional intelligence. A higher EQ means that a leader is more open to communication and criticism even from their subordinates. Menlo Coaching emphasizes the need for leaders to acknowledge how they contribute to the success or failure of a particular task or project. This means that you should be willing to seek assistance from others who can fill the areas or fields where you’re not proficient.
- They focus on progress
The Jane Group previously discussed the belief that failure is just a momentary lapse of judgment, and not of character. Many leaders share the sentiment that weaknesses do not define who you are. What enables them to welcome adversity is this thinking that setbacks or imperfections are part and parcel of achieving success.
Spanx founder Sara Blakely shared with CNBC that failing big was something to be celebrated in their household as a child because it only means that there is a lot of room for improvement. Instead of fearing hardships, great leaders welcome them as mere hurdles to overcome and not as a sign that they completely lack ability. While most people believe that reaching a certain standard immediately is the true measure of success, leaders accept the reality that it is not gained overnight, but over time through honest hard work.
- They take action
Another trait that effective leaders have mastered through time is resilience. Harvard Business Review hailed resilience as an indispensable quality in a leader because it is what pushes them to persist even in the face of adversity. The worst thing anyone can do, leader or not, is dwell on mistakes because it may impede or even undo the progress you’ve already made. Admit your weakness not for the sake of exposition but as a start to heeding the lessons ripe for picking. Confront your failures head on and once you’ve figured out what went wrong, apply your recently discovered insights moving forward.
Leaders know how to thrive under pressure without breaking because they’ve mastered it due to years of experience. Still, accepting shortcomings is a skill that everyone needs to develop. Failure is not something to be embarrassed about or to fear; it’s a reality of life that has to be welcomed with arms wide open because it is a great opportunity for personal growth and learning.
________________________________________________
About today’s contributor: Allysa Cane is a career counsellor who’s been providing assistance to professionals for two decades. She’s helped hundreds of adults find their way in the professional world over the course of her career.
Image credit: Pixabay
