In crisis leadership, one must not only navigate many nuanced challenges but also possess the resilience to learn and adapt from failures—a concept encapsulated in the term “failing forward.” It is a mindset integral to steering organizations through turbulent times. However, the only way to get there is within a psychologically safe environment where there is a commitment to brutal truths and root causes. Yes, you must be both courageous and vulnerable.
Research indicates that viewing failure as a learning opportunity enhances an individual’s capacity to respond effectively to crises. Organizations should not only tolerate failure but actively encourage it. This approach creates a culture where team members are empowered to take calculated risks without the fear of severe repercussions. In other words, it’s okay to fail…but let’s not try to repeat the same failure.
Failing forward is not about celebrating failure but embracing the valuable lessons that emerge from it. By dissecting failures, crisis leaders can identify causations, refine strategies, and fortify their organizations against future challenges. Failure is a platform for growth.
Failing forward is an indispensable aspect of crisis leadership. At Fallston Group, we routinely talk about turning short-term adversity into long-term advantage. Basically, failure is one step in the stairway to success. Embrace it, feel it, learn from it, adapt as a result of it, then push forward with relentless momentum and excellence until you achieve. Don’t let it beat you!
Link to news segment: https://foxbaltimore.com/morning/how-to-get-past-the-disappointment-and-emotion-of-loss-and-failure#
