Moving Past Failures: The Key to Success and Growth

It was minute 105, the first period of the extra time, Cristiano Ronaldo prepares to shoot a penalty that may let them pass to the next round of the EuroCup 2024 championship, he hits and unfortunately, his shot was saved by Slovenia’s goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, who pushed it against the post and away to safety.

Oh Cristiano, I felt for you. You could see his face of frustration. Tears ran over his face as he prepared to go for the series of penalties, that will define the result of the game. Here he comes, Ronaldo prepares again, and then he scores!! Looks up with gratitude, looks at the audience, asking forgiveness, and the smile returns to his face… The dramatic Euro 2024 match between Portugal and Slovenia , is a live demonstration on how resilience is required to overcome setbacks and ultimately succeed.

Throughout the tournament, Ronaldo had attempted 20 shots on goal, the highest in the tournament, but faced a significant challenge during the match against Slovenia. With the game hanging in the balance, his crucial extra-time penalty was saved by the formidable Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

This moment could have shattered his confidence, but Ronaldo’s determination shone through as he later redeemed himself by scoring in the penalty shootout. This vital contribution helped Portugal secure a quarter-final spot against France, with Ronaldo’s shooting accuracy standing at 60%. His journey in this match epitomizes the importance of perseverance and mental strength.

On the other side, Benjamin ?e?ko, the Slovenian player wearing the number 11 jersey, was relentless in his efforts, attempting 39 shots during the Euro 2024 round of 16 match against Portugal. Out of these, 23 shots were on target, while the remaining 16 missed the mark. ?e?ko’s shooting accuracy was 58.97%, and he averaged 2.44 shots per 90 minutes on the pitch. Despite missing more than a third of his attempts, his persistence and focus were commendable, illustrating that success is often built on the foundation of repeated efforts and learning from missed opportunities.

This reminds me of of the commencement speech by Roger Federer to the Dartmouth Class of 2024. Federer, despite never attending college, received an honorary doctorate and shared humorous and insightful anecdotes about his journey. He emphasized three key lessons: “Effortless” is a myth, success requires hard work; it’s crucial to move past failures by recognizing each point or challenge as just a small part of the journey; and life extends beyond the tennis court, highlighting the importance of broader experiences and giving back. Federer’s insight that “most of the time, it’s not about having a gift, but about having grit,” resonates deeply. He won 80% of his games but only 54% of the points in each game, underscoring the importance of resilience and continuous effort.

Drawing parallels to the entrepreneurial and corporate world, the focus shifts to how we recover from failures, advance despite adversity, and maintain a laser focus on our goals. Learning from mistakes without being overwhelmed by them is crucial. Stanford University Graduate School of Business professor and psychologist, Carol Dweck , in her seminal book “Mindset,” expands on this by contrasting the fixed mindset, which sees failure as a reflection of one’s ability, with the growth mindset, which views failure as an opportunity to develop and improve. Here my four takeaways form her book:?

1. Embrace Challenges: People with a growth mindset thrive on challenges. They see setbacks not as a sign of failure but as a springboard for growth. This perspective transforms daunting tasks into exciting opportunities.
2. Learn from Criticism: Constructive criticism is a crucial tool for improvement. By embracing feedback and using it to make better decisions, individuals can continually enhance their performance.
3. Persistence: Effort is a path to mastery. Continuous effort, even in the face of difficulty, is what leads to significant achievements. This aligns with Federer’s message that “effortless” is a myth.
4. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Focusing on the process and the effort put into achieving goals is more beneficial than just celebrating the outcome. This approach builds resilience and a sustainable path to success.

?Applying These Lessons to Leadership

?In the business world, these lessons translate into a resilient and adaptable leadership style. Leaders must avoid becoming their own worst enemies by succumbing to self-doubt. Instead, they should make peace with uncertainty and focus on guiding their teams through challenges without micromanaging every detail. I had the amazing opportunity to be in class with? Professor Santiago álvarez de Mon from IESE Business School , in class we covered the Rafael Nadal case, and he highlighted,? how in elite environments where everyone has comparable skills, the game plan must be as much mental as it is strategic.

Here my four takeaways from this class:

1. Avoid Becoming Your Own Enemy: Self-doubt can be paralyzing. Make peace with uncertainty, as attempting to control everything can lead to mental strain.
2. Flow with the River: Adaptability is essential. Micromanagement can be dangerous; instead, focus on guiding the overall direction.?
3. Living in the Moment: Rafa Nadal exemplifies this by managing his doubts and using them to fuel determination. Intelligent and wise people acknowledge their doubts but use them to drive forward.
4. Defining Success: If you do not define success, negative results will always loom. Focus on what you can control and be at peace with the outcomes, whether good or bad.?

Failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. Nadal’s approach to losing with dignity and using setbacks to improve highlights the importance of resilience and continuous effort. He stresses the importance of understanding what you can control and coming to terms with outcomes beyond your control.

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In the business world, these lessons translate to maintaining mental strength and focus. Balancing analysis and emotions, logic and heart, is crucial. As leaders, it’s vital to manage expectations, maintain humility, and cultivate a culture that encourages learning from mistakes.

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The Path Forward: Embracing Resilience and Growth?

The stories of Ronaldo, ?e?ko, Federer and Nadal, provide a powerful framework for moving past failures. Embracing failure as a companion on the journey to success, using setbacks as opportunities for growth, and maintaining a balance between determination and adaptability are key to thriving in any field. As leaders, fostering resilience and a growth mindset within your teams will not only enhance performance but also create an environment where innovation and excellence can flourish.

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Remember, success is not defined by the absence of failure, but by the ability to rise, learn, and persist in the face of it. As you navigate your career and lead your teams, keep in mind that every challenge is an opportunity to improve, every setback a chance to grow stronger. Embrace the journey, celebrate the effort, and always strive to be better.

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From the soccer field to the corporate boardroom, the principles of resilience, continuous learning, and adaptability will guide you to lasting success. Stay focused, stay resilient, and remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.