Tag: Failure

Measuring Success

What determines success or failure?

Success is defined as the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. It is further identified as the attainment of popularity or profit.

While this is broad, it is also revealing. How often do we consider success only in terms of fame and fortune? By a number? Quantitatively?

In leadership, we need to remember that true success is defined as…

Remaining true to the course…
Learning from mistakes…
Seeing growth in a positive direction…
Growing each person into their potential…

Most may measure success by a profit and loss column, but not in spiritual leadership. True success is measured by God.

Live Holy

Far too many believe they cannot overcome their past. The failures and, at times, successes experienced tend to consume the whole of one’s focus.

When this happens, we are blinded to a better way for moving forward because we cannot think about anything but the past. We remain stuck and stagnant to greater growth possibilities.

Remember, past successes or failures do not define us, and the future is determined by how we direct today.

Today, I am all in.

Today, I will live holy.

Today, I will lead.

Failure (part 2)

Dealing with failure has never been easy. How we deal with it makes a powerful statement to the development of our leadership.

Building on the suggestions from yesterday, consider the following.

Do not hesitate to act. Hesitation comes with a high price. Waiting to act creates a perception of apathy.

Learn from failure. Study the strengths and weaknesses of the present circumstances. Determine and implement the changes needed to overcome and prevent the same mistakes.

Make necessary adjustments to move beyond the failure to build confidence in others toward leadership. Work to build a series of successful events or programs to reassure the strength of the leadership.

Failure (part 1)

Who or what determines failure? Why is failure seen as negative? How can leaders deal with failure in ways to improve and benefit their leadership?

Consider a couple of steps:

First, recognize failure is inevitable. No matter who you are or where you are, failure takes place.

Second, acknowledge it and take responsibility. Do not ignore, deny, or cast blame when failure occurs.

Third, failure is not fatal. Winston Churchill is credited with saying, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Discouragement

What is it that brings discouragement to leadership? Failure? Inability? People?

Discouragement causes us to lose confidence and enthusiasm.

So, how do we prevent it?

1) Focus on higher priorities and a greater cause.
2) Work to create confidence and enthusiasm in others.
3) Develop a work ethic of diligence and integrity.
4) Determine to do “what” is right not just “be” right.
5) Remember we will make mistakes. Deal with them properly and move on.

Following a few ideas can encourage others and bring a greater encouragement to our own leadership. Then we will see more times when we are up rather than down.

Success or Failure?

Although the origin is unknown, I’ve heard several versions of this thought, “I do not know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”

Many do not lead because they are afraid to fail. If everyone had this attitude, where would we be spiritually? If no one had the courage to lead, what would happen to the church? We know it is impossible to please everyone.

Therefore…

Lead with the Bible as the basis for all decisions.
Make decisions with confidence.
Communicate decisions clearly.
Express why the decisions are made.
Understand not everyone will like or agree with all decisions.

Spiritual Evaluation

Most organizations require a quarterly report. This is an evaluation of the work. Corporate leaders want to know the facts and figures contributing to the success or failure of plans to reach projected goals. Nearing the end of the year, we should also evaluate the year overall.

With spiritual leadership this quarterly or year-end report is just as valuable.

Evaluations are usually difficult. They cause us to examine what we do not want to face and take an honest look at reality. They are necessary. Our integrity will be demonstrated and challenged.

However, a spiritual quarterly report helps us prepare for the next step in growth.

Confidence

Confidence in one’s ability diminishes when leaders experience failure, suffer discouragement, or they are harshly criticized by others.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal” is the powerful thought expressed by Winston Churchill. Recognizing that the only time failure exists is when we give up helps us redirect our thinking when success is beyond our reach.

Suffering discouragement generally follows moments of failure. We begin to overcome discouragement by evaluating the cause and seeking help to address it.

Criticism, even when harshly given, provides growth benefits if we are able to see them in this way. Instead of “reacting,” we need to “act” appropriately as a spiritual leader.

The Gift of Today

Frank Bucaro said, “This is the beginning of a new day. I have been given this day to use as I will. I will use it for good, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it. I want it to be gain and not loss; good and not evil; success and not failure; in order that I shall rejoice in the price that I paid for it.”


If leaders followed this thought, their leadership would abound in blessings far beyond what could be said in this post.

The Unknown

How often do we think about our potential, then step back from achieving it because we fear the unknown?

Esmeralda Santiago asks the question, “How can you know what you are capable of if you don’t embrace the unknown?”

Several variables play into the unknown. We develop scenarios, usually focused on the negative or that create a defeatist mindset.

What can we do to face the unknown and enjoy the possibilities?

1. Remember, reaching our potential requires a level of risk.
2. Even if we fail, failure is not fatal.
3. Start small and gradually venture into additional unknown areas.

Just taking a a step or two can move us in the right direction.