Struggles Build Strength

Kobe Bryant (the superstar NBA athlete) and Willa Cather (the 1920s Pulitzer-winning author)?

An odd pairing to be sure, but both saw the learning and growth that comes from the bad times as well as the good. As Cather said, “Some lessons come in calm, others in storm.”

Real talk – it’s human to avoid analyzing mistakes too deeply. But a recent workshop participant of mine nailed it: “If you can’t give yourself feedback, you’ll struggle to hear it from others.” Well said, sir! #truthbomb And it made me ask: How often do I reflect on my mis-steps to improve for next time? And if I can’t have that conversation with myself, of course I’ll struggle having it with others.

Soon after that workshop – complete coincidence – I came across a video of Kobe Bryant stressing the discipline it takes to review painful game footage post-loss.  It’s the last thing you want to do, but so important.  Athletes, artists, and performers constantly receive feedback – both positive and negative – and they learn to deal with it, even embrace it as a way to grow. Yet in traditional business settings, let’s be honest - many avoid or resist feedback of any kind.

So I stepped up. On a recent podcast episode with co-host Rose Schooler, I shared a mis-step I made in a leadership off-site I was asked to facilitate. I’d gotten bad sleep (#hotellife), let group emotions sway me (it was brutal to see the current business/government dynamics taking such a toll on this organization), etc.  Most importantly, I recognized I must build  my resilience so I can best serve my clients amid today’s chaos.

Our struggles develop our strengths.  As Bryant said after a tough loss: "There’s nothing truly to be afraid of, when you think about it, because I’ve failed before, and I woke up the next morning, and I’m OK."

Reach out anytime to discuss ways to discuss ways to best support managers, leaders and teams during volatile times.