The purpose of reflecting on past performance is improvement. Don’t beat yourself down. Pursue better.
During a Q&A with leaders from a global organization, someone asked, “What is your contribution to the leadership community?”
I wish I could erase the answer I gave. It wasn’t wrong, but it didn’t reflect my best self.
I’m learning to navigate screw ups with curiosity.
Next Time
Next time I’ll say, “I am my contribution to the leadership community. Everything I do expresses who I am. When you lose sight of who you are, you lose your contribution.”
Leadership flows from identity. You are your contribution.
Reflecting on past performance prepares us for future excellence.
3 Surprising Ways to Navigate Screw Ups
#1. Identify with aspirations, not performance.
When you are what you do, you feel like a loser when you fall short. Small failures feel like a big deal. Feedback is a threat.
Feedback doesn’t determine your worth. It shapes your aspirations.
#2. Get comfortable with discomfort.
Those who pursue excellence always fall short.
Don’t comfort yourself with excuses.
Don’t let encouragement replace reflection.
Take it seriously. Ask, “What will I do differently next time?”
#3. Press forward.
Prepare for next time by learning from this time.
Next time someone asks about my contribution, I’ll have a better answer.
How might leaders navigate screw ups?
How to Respond Skillfully to Three Types of Failure
10 Ways to Reject Bad Failure and Embrace Good
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Previously Published on leadershipfreak with Creative Commons License
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Photo credit: unsplash
