Leaders must learn how to take risks- calculated risks, of course. When assuming these risks, it is always helpful to be armed with sufficient knowledge and with the tools for confronting criticism and the fear of failure.
So then- how does one go about building his or her resilience? We recommend that you take note of the following:
1. Flattery and criticism neither add nor detract from your value.
You have innate value, which forms part of your essential being and no one can take this away from you. Therefore, everything you do, say or think has value. It has value because it comes from you.
2. There is no such thing as errors, only results.
If you see some warning signs that things are not going how you would like, or that your boss is not particularly happy with your work- do not worry- this does not mean all is lost. It is simply a matter of acknowledging that the approach you are taking is not yielding the intended benefits and it is time to switch things up.
3. No one is perfect.
Sometimes, we forget things or we do not realize there are better techniques out there or we are behaving unconsciously. We are not perfect. What does this mean? Well, we can tell you what it does not mean. This does not mean that we can act irresponsibly and blame it on our unconscious. No. What we can do, however, is give ourselves a wider margin of error, while at the same time improving upon our self-awareness and realizing that we can choose to move forward in a more intelligent fashion.
4. You have the capacity to CHOOSE to take the smarter path.
Capitalize on the experience you have accumulated thus far and DO NOT return to old habits that lead nowhere. Each error brings you closer to a more perfect union of knowledge, good habits, and skill which will help you accomplish whatever maybe your task at hand. You already have what you need to accomplish your goals- take some time for self-reflection. With each day you become more knowledgeable and this will help you to make smarter decisions.
5. Do not be afraid to ask for help.
Confused? Have a question? Do not be afraid to ask someone, whether within or outside of school or work, what you could be doing to improve your current situation. However, keep in mind that the person whose opinion you are seeking should be someone known for being balanced and objective. It will do you NO GOOD to ask someone who is only going to tell you what you want to hear. Choose someone whose honesty will allow you to self-reflect upon what you could do to improve and how you can choose the best path for you.
In short- yes, you can. It is up to you.
