26A - Celebrating Failure

1) Tell us about a time this past semester that you failed -- whether in this class, or outside of this class. Don't spare any details! It'd be even better if there was something you tried several times this semester, and failed each time. 

The failure that I want to talk about was earlier on in my career when I took my first step into a management role.  I was a technical team lead over a group of engineers that supported about 20 different companies.  What I failed at here was expecting management to be just telling people what to do and they do it.  That could not be further from the truth. 

With that mind set, I was failing my team and not bringing them together as a cohesive unit.  I failed continually for a while and mine and their frustrations increased.  Initially, this lead me to think about to my previous bosses that I loved to work for.  They did not have the same mindset that I did.  I could remember them finding ways to motivate that me that were not a "carrot and stick" mentality.

I started to reflect more on that and changed some of my thought process towards what management should be and simply tried to imitate what I remember about the leadership I flourished under.  That started to turn me and my team around.

2) Tell us what you learned from it.  

I really learned a few things for going through that process.

1. Your team will reflect the thoughts and emotions of its leader so be mindful of your actions, words and body language
2. Find ways to motivate positively instead of trying to force your will.  Guide and coach them to the right answer.  You will find that they are much more willing to follow you as a leader if they believe and buy into the path you are taking them
3. Hold yourself accountable as the leader just as much as your employees.  You have to lead by example.

3) Reflect, in general, on what you think about failure. Failure is hard, isn't it? It's embarrassing, sure, but it also means that we have to change something about ourselves. Talk about how you handle failure (emotionally, behaviorally). Finally, talk about how this class has changed your perspective on failure -- are you more likely to take a risk now than you were just a few months ago?

Failure is very hard and especially if you take a lot of pride in your work.  We are breed to not accept failure and that is probably the exact opposite of what we should do.  Being able to learn from your failure means you have to be able to look in word, be self-aware and willing to accept that you are not perfect and require improvement.

Truthfully, this class did not really change my perspective on failure.  That is only because I have had a career now for the last 20 years.  I have had the benefit of time and experience to know, if utilized properly, failure can be a great tool in life.