Perceiving Failure is Permanent

Perceiving failure is permanent.

Setbacks and failures are part of life. Everyone faces their share of hurdles in some or the other form. The point to note is how one responds to these setbacks in life.

Let’s suppose your head of sales/manager/leader is going out to bag a big client. When they meet the client, the client mentions they are considering another company to go forward with. The leader is taken aback.

Now what kind of leader would you prefer?

The one who accepts it and does nothing and leaves

Someone who still persists on selling, addressing the client’s concern to choose someone else, and trying to turn the client in company’s favour

Of course, option b!

Now, let us suppose another scenario where the sales got final but at the last minute because of some reason you lose the deal!

Again, which kind of leader would you prefer?

someone who would break off all ties in a burst and give up on going on a sales call because they are bound to fail

someone who would still try to work through this setback, reflect on what went wrong, maintain good relations, and seek new clients?

Clearly, option b again!

It is not just you, but most people would prefer a leader who is resilient

Someone who is willing and has the ability to bounce back even in the face of repeated failures. This ability is so imperative even for the staff because most people learn from their leaders. Having someone lacking the will and energy to be stuck in a phase will surely bring your employees morale down too.

A leader who lacks resilience will without doubt perceive failure is permanent. They probably will stop taking initiative, or even getting their tasks done. They will have a high tendency to indulge in negative self-talk, dwindle in the past or future, emotional eating, lack of exercise, oversleeping, and lack of motivation.

Everyone has heard the big successful names like Walt Disney, Oprah Winfrey, JK Rowling, Stephen King, even Bill Gates!

Although their success shines more than their past failures, being resilient is the path to success. They not only pulled themselves through hard times, and rejections, but also inspired many.

Resilience muscle can be built and worked on. One of the methods you can adopt is through practice of self-compassion. Leaders with higher EQ are more resilient. This is because a leader with high EQ is emotionally self-aware, self-compassionate and has better relationships with everyone. High EQ also equips the leader to respond well and consciously in varied situations.