Dare to Fail: How Julius Caesar Turned His Failures Into Massive Success

I don't usually get into TV series, but recently we began watching "Roman Empire" on Netflix. Its historical depth captivates me, especially the narrative of Julius Caesar. Who can resist an inspiring underdog tale? What struck me most was his audacity to embrace failure. He was often at the forefront during battles, taking risks that not only showcased his prowess as a warrior but also elevated his stature in the Senate.

Julius Caesar's life was a series of failures that led to success. While he's more famously known for his triumphs, he also experienced setbacks that taught him crucial lessons, which he used to better his strategies and approaches in subsequent endeavors. Here are a few of his famous failures:

Failure #1. First Invasion of Britain (55 BC): Caesar's initial invasion of Britain was hardly a resounding success. His forces faced challenges ranging from storms damaging his fleet to stiff resistance from the native Britons. While he did establish a foothold, the gains were minimal. He was forced to return home. However, he returned the following year better prepared, having learned from his mistakes. The second invasion was more successful in terms of establishing alliances and showcasing Roman strength.

Failure #2. The Battle of Gergovia (52 BC): During the Gallic Wars, Caesar suffered a notable defeat at the Battle of Gergovia against Vercingetorix's forces. This loss taught Caesar the importance of proper reconnaissance and not underestimating the enemy. It forced him to adapt his strategies, leading to his subsequent victory at the Battle of Alesia, which was a turning point in the Gallic Wars.?

Failure #3. The Alexandrian War (48-47 BC): After the Battle of Pharsalus, Caesar pursued Pompey to Egypt, only to find himself embroiled in a conflict between the young Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII and his sister Cleopatra. Caesar faced several challenges, including being outnumbered and nearly being cut off from supplies. Though he eventually emerged victorious, the conflict taught him the complexities of foreign politics and the importance of ensuring logistical routes.

Failure #4. Political Misjudgments: Early in his political career, Caesar aligned himself with Gaius Marius and his faction, a move that would make him enemies in the Senate and lead to his eventual departure from Rome. His absence, however, allowed him to enhance his military career in Asia, where he famously said, "Veni, vidi, vici" ("I came, I saw, I conquered"). He learned the importance of building alliances and the ever-changing nature of political favor in Rome.

Caesar utilized these setbacks as learning experiences. He demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and an ability to grow from his mistakes, attributes that played a significant role in his ascent as one of history's most dominant figures.

Imagine a world where you don’t make any mistakes. The thrill of succeeding is undeniably satisfying and universally undiscriminating. The desire to avoid mistakes is rooted in our natural inclination for validation and avoiding negative consequences. However, it comes with a cost:

?1.?????? Failures provide valuable learning opportunities. Without them, we stifle growth and learning.

2.?????? Fear of failing discourages risk-taking and causes lack of innovation and creativity.

3.?????? Failures can cause setbacks- but they also create resilience and adaptability.

4.?????? Failures can identify areas of improvement and help us adjust our strategies.

5.?????? Striving for perfection and avoiding mistakes can lead to unrealistic expectations.

Many years ago, as a budding manager in reliability engineering, I was entrusted with pioneering our digital twin initiatives. With enthusiasm, we developed tools that would calculate the risks of unplanned outages. We efficiently finished the tool ahead of schedule and rightfully celebrated our achievements. Yet, in our zeal to innovate, we overlooked the project's cornerstone: the customer. They applauded our effort but pointed out its limited practicality, as they still needed data, not automated then, but gathered manually through calls to the plants. In our eagerness to create, we hadn't asked the essential 'why' or started with the customer in mind.

This was an eye-opener, igniting enhanced inter-team communication. We experienced the laborious process of sifting through reports and manual data collection firsthand, which we later streamlined through automation. Ultimately, our tool transformed, culminating in the creation of a digital factory situated directly at customer sites. It's clear now that without that initial misstep, we might never have achieved such a significant leap.

Failing is a natural part of learning and growth process. From penicillin to a slinky, many innovations made by mistake. However, we still live in a culture that simultaneously despises failure and stall growth within our companies.

Twelve hundred years before Rene Descartes penned his famous “I think, therefore I am”, the philosopher Augustine wrote “Fallor ergo sum”: I err, therefore I am. So let’s tell our stories of failures and what we learned from them- without shame, but pride.

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About the Author: Ezgi Caliskan is a Lean Leader, Waste Buster and Bookworm. She is passionate about two worlds: Continuous Improvement and the captivating realm of books.

With nearly 20 years of experience in organizations like GE and Duke Energy, she had the privilege of collaborating with diverse organizations to drive operational excellence guided by the principles of Lean thinking, continuous improvement, and fostering a culture of innovation.

Beyond the realm of Lean, she is an enthusiastic bookworm, averaging about 100+ books per year in diverse set of categories such as self-improvement, world classics, business, and management. Ezgi shares her book reviews & insights with her followers regularly.

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