Failing Forward and Redefining Success: A New Paradigm of Purposeful Leadership
“There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period.”
Success.
Achievement of a goal, personal fulfilment, accomplishment or societal impact.
Failure.
An obstacle or setback; not meeting expectations or standards.
When was the last time you failed and how did you handle it?
Did you embrace it, run from it, or wrestle it to the ground?
I was never good with failure. On the surface I look like a true champion, courageously taking action without any fear of failure. Under the surface however, I’m the duck that looks calm above the water, paddling like heck underwater just to stay afloat.
Something doesn’t go according to plan, and my brain fires without warning,
“I should’ve known better”, “It’s all my fault”, "I can’t never do anything right”, “I’m stupid”, “I’m a failure”, “I’ll never succeed”, “what’s the point, it will never make any difference”, “I’ve made a fool of myself” “It doesn’t matter what I do, it will never be enough”
Sound familiar?
What about success?
When was the last time you achieved a goal and how did you respond?
Did you embrace it, run from it or get on social media and rave about it?
In moments of success, many people have a tendency to undervalue their achievements and engage in harsh self-talk.
I’d love to say I’m a natural lover of success, but my relationship with success, was worse than my relationship with failure.
It started when I was 14yo and after getting 97% on a Unit 4 maths exam and bragging about it to my mates, I was quickly shut down: "you think you're so much better than everyone else".
That was the last time I publicly celebrated my success without fear.
Much like failure, one sniff of success and my brain fires on all cylinders:
"It wasn't that big of a deal", "Anyone could have done it”, "What if I can't do it again?", “It's not as impressive compared to what others have done", "I should have done more”, "People are just being nice", "I got lucky”.
No matter how big or small the win, I’m already looking for what I missed.
Success is in the eye of the beholder.
I've learnt a lot about failure these past 20 years, none more so than the fact that our relationship with failure, and success, lies in the eye of the beholder.
Our reaction will either diminish the joy and satisfaction that comes with the journey, preventing us from fully appreciating our accomplishments and ultimately contribute to ongoing feelings of inadequacy; or they will lift us up and move us further forward.
Why is it important to redefine success in leadership?
Success is highly subjective and can vary widely from person to person, encompassing not only material and financial achievements but also emotional well-being, personal growth, and contributions to the community and society at large.
Redefining success is about shifting our focus from traditional metrics like wealth and status to more meaningful measures such as personal growth, impact, and fulfilment. It involves understanding that success is not a final destination but a continuous journey of improvement and learning.
For leaders, this redefinition is essential as it encourages a culture of innovation, resilience, and authenticity. It empowers people to take risks, be creative, and strive for excellence without the fear of making mistakes.
Joining The Uncharted Leader Podcast to talk about Failing Forward and Redefining Success through is mission to impact 100 million lives by 2032 is Jeff Dyck - innovator, bridge builder and investor who is leveraging his expertise to help launch, acquire and scale businesses that focus on uplifting the health, wealth, and happiness of people.
A self-confessed “chaos wrangler”, Jeff loves solving problems and creating opportunities for growth and success. His philosophy centres on the idea that failure is not a setback but a setup for future achievements.
“Every failure carries a lesson that propels us forward, making us more resilient and innovative” - Jeff
Building Connections and Community
Jeff's journey is filled with lessons on leadership by focusing on what truly matters and avoiding the trap of chasing shiny objects. Prioritisation, he says, is key to overcoming overwhelm and achieving meaningful progress.
His mission goes beyond individual success to create a ripple effect that benefits communities and societies. By connecting retired or nearly retired individuals with businesses, he harnesses their knowledge and networks to accelerate growth and foster a sense of community. This approach not only provides valuable mentorship but also helps these individuals find purpose and generate income in their next chapter.
MY FAVOURITE QUOTES FROM INSPIRATIONAL LEADERS ON FAILURE:
"To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest." - Pema Chodron
"Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it. This will miraculously transform your whole life."- Eckhart Tolle
"Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again." - Nelson Mandela
"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default." - J.K. Rowling:
PODCAST HIGHLIGHT:
The pursuit of leadership is a journey of self-discovery that requires embracing failure and redefining success on our own terms. Attempting to model others version of a success, is a guaranteed path to failure.
IGNITE YOUR PASSION!
Follow The Uncharted Leader on Linkedin, Instagram and YouTube.
Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn to learn more about his mission to impact 100 million lives.
Book a call with Kylee and ask how The Emerging Leaders Program can unlock your potential for unprecedented success in any environment.
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