#CarrieOn : Growth
Everyone thinks that growth is this neat and tidy forward progression of development. They think it is steady and incremental. It’s not. It’s messy and complex and forward and then backward. It is up and then down and then twenty-nine directions inbetween. Growth is not pretty. Growth is a culmination of our experiences and our learning. Our growth reflects who we are. The only thing growth CANNOT be is stagnant.
I hate failing. I hate it with every fibre of my being. Because I hate failing, I also love failing ~ because when I have failed at something I know that I am on the cusp of growing in a way I had not anticipated. Failing is a part of life. Failing only becomes a failure when you continually repeat the fail...or you quit.
As a leader you must demonstrate the freedom and willingness (and bravery!) to fail. You must eagerly accept the challenges associated with risk and understand that there is always a chance that you might fail. Do not follow up failure with excuses. Fail with dignity. Take time to diagnose the failure and then remedy the situation. Own the failure and demonstrate resilience, integrity and grit. Others will flourish because of how you fail (more importantly how you grow from your failures).
Your lowest moments are your greatest opportunities for growth and influence and leadership. Others will look to you in the dark shadows of failure and learn from your response ~ one way or another, they will learn from you. Every moment is a growth opportunity, even the ugly ones. It does not have to be pretty ~ but make it worth your time. #CarrieOn