The Comeback Kid
Leaders respond to failures with resilience, courage, and a comeback mindset.
Adam Danyal & Julia Danyal
November 04, 2023
WRITTEN BY: ADAM DANYAL
We’ve all been there. The big presentation that bombed. The initiative that failed. The deal that fell through. As leaders, setbacks sting. They challenge our self-confidence and make us question our abilities.
In those moments, it’s easy to feel defeated. The temptation is to dwell on what went wrong, beat ourselves up, and lose our motivation. But the mark of great leaders is their resilience - their ability to bounce back from failures and losses.
Think of leaders like Steve Jobs who was fired from Apple before returning to make it the most valuable company. Or J.K. Rowling who was a struggling single mom before publishing Harry Potter. They exemplified the Comeback Kid mentality. How did they do it?
First, remember failure is inevitable. As Michael Jordan said, “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.” Failure happens, even to the greats. How we respond defines us.
Second, analyze what went wrong dispassionately. Get clear on the root causes without blaming or shaming. Then extract the lessons and insights. Failure always contains the seeds of success if we know where to look.
Third, surround yourself with supporters who believe in you, especially after a setback. Their reassurance rekindles the emotional fuel and self-belief needed to rebound.
Finally, take action. Wallowing breeds more wallowing. The antidote is motion. Start something new, set interim goals, help others. Movement creates momentum. As Henry Ford said, “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.”
Comebacks start with letting go of past failures and reclaiming the hope inside us. They require leaning on others for strength and believing in our potential, even when we doubt ourselves.
Setbacks will happen. But how we respond - our resilience, resourcefulness, and resolve - determines if we will be comeback kids. As leaders, we must model how to learn from failures and start again with renewed passion. Our teams learn more from our Comeback Kid moments than our successes. How will you inspire your next comeback?
From our Leadership Bookshelf:
WRITTEN BY: JULIA DANYAL
In her book, "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance," Angela Duckworth offers critical insights for bouncing back from failures and setbacks. Here are some key takeaways from Duckworth's book:
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Gritty people have tremendous stamina and perseverance. They view setbacks as challenges to overcome, not failures. This resilience and "never give up" mindset fuels their ability to rebound.
Gritty leaders are optimistic in the face of adversity. They retain hope and see setbacks as temporary obstacles, not evidence of permanent shortcomings. This optimism inspires comeback journeys.
Gritty leaders surround themselves with loyal teams. They build strong relationships and support networks that provide reassurance during difficult times. This lifts gritty leaders emotionally when they need it most.
Grit can be developed. By learning from failures analytically, establishing systems of renewal, and internalizing growth mindsets, grit grows. Comebacks start with cultivating grit within.
Grit provides a blueprint for leaders seeking to become Comeback Kids. By highlighting the mindsets and support systems that fuel resilience and perseverance, Duckworth's work offers guidance for turning setbacks into springboards. Internalizing grit may be the key to inspiring our next comeback.