How to Acquire Immunity from Failure
Susan Namulindwa
Executive Director at Africa Trade Desk, VP Canada, Canada-Africa Chamber of Business, Director Maama Watali, Board Chair Afro-Canadian Chamber of Commerce
On a recent trip to Uganda, all passengers were required to produce the International Yellow fever immunization card. A few of us traveling from yellow fever free zones did not have our cards with us. We gave several explanations as to why that was which were politely acknowledged as we waited in line for our shots and brand new cards right there before clearing customs.
The whole process got me thinking about most immunizations, like flue shots being given this time of year in Canada, polio, HPV etc. For many of these, live bacteria, viruses that cause the disease are injected into the person in order to develop the immunity. Another example is snake bite serum, it is made from the actual snake venom!
Taking it a step further then, in personal, professional and business life, the areas of greatest challenges, failures can be used as training, a source of strength to prevent repeat failures or they can bring further decay. Failure if viewed from this perspective could help to grow muscle, resilience to get immunity and climb new heights. Where the big hurts are, there in lies the lesson and the cure. It is said that: "What does not kill you makes you stronger" . There is a whole lot of truth in that.
As an employer, if an employee makes an expensive mistake, instead of firing them or accepting a resignation letter, keep them because chances are high that they have learned a valuable lesson which can benefit the company more than getting a replacement and losing the lesson. Also in return, the company now has a careful loyal and experienced team member of greater value than before.
In conclusion, when you fail at something, do not loose the lesson. Embrace the battle scars, wear them proudly and use them to create something beautiful the next time around! Make a serum from the venom
Board Member at World Class Team Company Limited
8 年A nice post Susan! Always something new to learn and I just love that!
Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer at Shared Action Africa.
8 年Susan, I love reading from you! Its takes a manager with emotional intelligence to understand that what matters in not the gravity of the mistake, but the lesson learned!