This article first appeared on LinkedIn.
Leaders fail. Leaders make mistakes. A vital lesson in leadership is to know failure is a bruise and not a scar. True leaders heal from the bruises and continue on. Failure can be foggy and leaders can find clarity. What are the leadership lessons we can learn from failure?
- Failure defines character. Perhaps, the situation challenges the credibility of a leader. The leader made a wrong decision and people now question the leader’s ability to make decisions. The true character of a leader is reflected in the immediate actions following the credibility challenge. Will the leader admit their mistake or will they ignore the situation? So failure can be a character building opportunity. The failure occurred but the leader decides what they want their legacy to be.
- Failure shows responsibility. When a situation fails, a true leader takes responsibility for the situation and admits fault. Through taking responsibility, the leader then further expands their trustworthiness of their followers.
- Failure develops perseverance. A true leader assesses the failure and looks for solutions for improvement. When I was let go from a position during my career; I initially felt like a failure. I was not sure what my next move would be. I took the situation by the reigns and worked with a career coach to create my next opportunity. The true test of a leader is to continue to rise above failures and try again.
- Failure shows imperfection. No leader or any person is perfect. The imperfection of a failed situation allows the leader to demonstrate their humanness. The leader has a good opportunity to display their humility in a failed situation.
- Failure allows for learning and growth. After a failure, the leader has the time to assess the situation and determine the next best right action. Is there a lack of knowledge that needs to be gained to start again? What is a way the leader can grow from the failure? Perhaps the best route is for the leader to remain open to feedback from others.
Overall, failure is a bruise; it is not a scar. A failure can have consequences and be embarrassing. Yet, failure does not have to ruin you as a leader. The true healing of leader failure is in the follow up response that is timely and appropriate. This growth from failure allows for an expansion of an individual’s leadership endurance, character, credibility, and trustworthiness. It builds the will to lead. As leaders, we all will have points where we fail. The next time you experience failure, remember failure is a bruise; it is not a scar.
About Maria Malayter, PhD.
With a Ph.D. in leadership and organizational change, Dr. Malayter is known as a Chief Change Agent in navigating the R.I.D.E of change in organizations and with individuals. Doc Maria has been internationally interviewed for her leadership, change management, and encore career projects. Quoted by The Chicago Tribune, Engineering Today, and The Daily Herald, her thought leadership and inspiring speaking has “wowed” national and international audiences. Beyond riding her bicycle almost every day, Dr. Malayter serves on faculty for graduate level courses in business psychology, I/O psychology, organizational leadership and business administration at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Webster University and Concordia University – Portland.