EDITION #3: ARE YOU AFRAID OF FAILING AS A LEADER?

You are not alone.

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DEAR TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER,

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Thank you for joining me in the THIRD EDITION of my newsletter.

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The FEAR OF FAILURE is one of the top five human fears. And yes, this fear creeps into leadership, too. Indeed, this fear can be a formidable obstacle in the realm of leadership. It’s a universal experience transcending industries and roles, yet it often remains unaddressed or inadequately tackled. Whether you lead a family, company, territory, organization, institution, or nation, you will often deal with this fear.

But here is a FUN FACT: EVERYBODY FAILS OR HAS FAILED AT SOMETHING (INCLUDING ME)! ??

In fact, you cannot write any successful story WITHOUT chapters on failure. Thus, you shouldn't be obsessed with preventing failure but with making the best use of it when it occurs.

As Arianna Huffington says, “We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes – understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.”

Here are some key strategies to help you overcome the fear of failure and thrive in your leadership role:

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??EMBRACE A GROWTH MINDSET. Cultivate a mindset that views failure not as a setback but as a stepping stone to growth. Understand that failure is an inherent part of the journey towards success. Adopt this mindset, fostering an environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning and improvement. Michelle Obama says, "Failure is a part of the process. You just learn to pick yourself back up."

??REFRAME FAILURE AS FEEDBACK. Instead of seeing failure as a reflection of your abilities or worth, reframe it as valuable feedback. Analyze what went wrong, identify areas for improvement, and use this knowledge to refine your approach going forward. By reframing failure in this way, you can extract valuable insights and turn setbacks into opportunities for growth. Adopt this mindset of Thomas A. Edison, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

??SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. Unrealistic expectations can amplify the fear of failure. Set achievable goals and milestones, breaking down larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks. Celebrate progress, recognizing the effort and dedication required to reach each milestone. Setting realistic expectations can mitigate the fear of falling short and instill confidence in yourself and your team. Use Brian Tracy's SMART acronym to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals.

??FOSTER A CULTURE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY. Create an environment where team members feel safe to take risks, voice their opinions, and make mistakes without fear of judgment or retribution. Encourage open communication, constructive feedback, and collaboration, fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and supported. By cultivating psychological safety, you empower yourself and your team to innovate, experiment, and ultimately thrive. Eloise Ristad says, "When we give ourselves permission to fail, we, at the same time, give ourselves permission to excel."

??LEAD BY EXAMPLE. As a leader, your actions speak louder than words. Demonstrate resilience, perseverance, and a willingness to take calculated risks. Share your experiences with failure, highlighting the lessons learned and the growth that resulted. By leading by example, you inspire confidence in your team and demonstrate that failure is not a sign of weakness but an opportunity for growth and development. Albert Schweitzer says, "The three most important ways to lead people are: By EXAMPLE...by EXAMPLE...by EXAMPLE."

???PRACTICE SELF-COMPASSION. Be kind to yourself. Acknowledge that failure is a natural part of the journey toward success, and treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding that you would extend to others. Practice self-care, resilience, and perseverance, knowing that each setback brings you one step closer to your goals. Roy T. Bennett says, "The one who falls and gets up is stronger than the one who never tried. Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying."

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??SEEK SUPPORT AND MENTORSHIP. Seek support and mentorship to navigate challenges and overcome the fear of failure. Mentors can provide invaluable insights, encouragement, and perspective to help you grow and develop your leadership journey.

?In conclusion, the fear of failure is an everyday challenge leaders face, but it’s not insurmountable. By embracing a growth mindset, reframing failure as feedback, setting realistic expectations, fostering psychological safety, leading by example, practicing self-compassion, and seeking support and mentorship, you can overcome this fear and unlock your leadership potential.

Which of these points resonates with you? How did you overcome the fear of failure in your life? Please share in the comments.

Did you find this impactful? Please like and repost it to benefit a leader in your network. Are you reading my content for the first time? Let’s connect.

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Cheers to Your Continued Growth & Success!

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Your Friend,

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Dr. Rukevwe Odjimogho, M.D.

MLCT Executive Director

[email protected]

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