Why Vulnerability Is The New Success

He choked. It was a gut-wrenching defeat.

But what he did after that was amazing.

Watch the first 2 minutes of the video below:

• When’s the last time you failed?

• I mean, it’s not the first time and it won’t be the last right?

• But don’t you love Joel’s candid, honest and forward approach?

It’s cliche, but how you handle defeat says a lot about the character inside of you.

As leaders, we want to be seen as successful, intelligent and trustworthy.

Those are all grand, but what about our shortcomings?

Are you doing a good job hiding your flaws (or just hope people are blind to them)?

Today I want to focus on one point: learn from your mistakes.

I wrote more about this topic specifically here.

So instead of repeating myself, the key is understanding how vulnerability is the pre-cursor to success.

You’ve heard of the calm before the storm, well this is storm.

Remember, people are watching you.

I don’t say this for added pressure’s sake, but as a learning opportunity.

You’re going to fail. That’s undeniable.

But how you handle adversity and choose to lead during it will define your legacy.

• Not only are you showing what’s inside of you, but you’re also being an example to those you lead.

• Stress management is a term used often, which is simply how you process and your response.

• There’s strength in getting over defeat. It’s called resilience.

We tend to glorify resiliency, but downplay overcoming the problem that got us there in the first place.

The human reaction is to shield others from it, but the lessons that arise from the experience are gold.

I’d argue that when a leader is candid about their shortcomings and asks for help, the perception of inner strength by their team skyrockets.

Why?

Because it’s relatable.

And isn’t that what we expect of our leaders?

Being viewed as successful isn’t about being perfect (no one comes close).

It’s really more about how you rise from adversity.

(Isn’t that why we all love a comeback/hero story?)

Emotionally you may be struggling, but it’s not the end of the story.

Feelings are not facts.

In fact a key in coaching, is to reframe your thoughts which influence your feelings and actions.

There’s nothing wrong to feel a certain way, but similar to how you bring your car to the mechanic when the check engine light appears - it’s what you do next that matters.

You allow defeat (and fear of it) to stop you. No one else does.

Once you’re honest and take responsibility/ownership for it you’re headed in the right direction.

Part of being self-aware as a leader is knowing your strengths and weaknesses.

As much as you love to leverage your strengths (as you should), be honest about your weaknesses too.

Humility is defined as not thinking less of yourself, but thinking about yourself less.

If you look at failure as an opportunity to learn from your mistakes, you’ll grow.

So take this new mindset towards failure and put it in your toolbox.

Know there’s someone watching the way you handle adversity and you can be an example of how to deal with is successfully.

And if you need help with it, reach out.

God Bless,

Scott

P.S. The video below👇 briefly hammers home the point I shared above👆