“A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose – a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve.” — John C. Maxwell
With the rapid spread of this virus across the world, leaders all over of all kinds are being challenged to lead in uncertain times. What we’ve experienced over the last few weeks is absolutely unprecedented. There aren’t many events in history that compare to the difficulties this pandemic has presented. The setbacks have been widespread and significant for us all. The question is — As a leader, how will you respond?
I love this quote by Frederick Douglass that applies well here, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
Here’s what I know about some of the setbacks I’ve dealt with over my years as a leader: Every setback has a benefit.
Now, I don’t mean to diminish the problems you are facing currently. Trust me, we are all leading and directing through unchartered waters right now. I have great respect for the tremendous difficulties that many of us are being forced to maneuver. But I do want to encourage you—nothing great, EVER has ever been achieved without adversity.
If you wan’t to be successful, you have to learn to view failure as a healthy, inevitable part of the process of getting to the top. If you step back from the pain and loss of difficult circumstances, you will be able to see their positive benefits.
Consider these few benefits of setbacks:
1. Setbacks create resilience.
2. Setbacks develop maturity.
3. Setbacks provide greater opportunities.
4. Setbacks prompt innovation.
5. Setbacks push the envelope of accepted performance.
6. Setbacks motivate us.
Success is NOT the elimination of problems! It’s actually quite the opposite. Success is earned as you learn from adversity. We must learn to embrace our setbacks as a part of the journey.
Here’s a quick story, in case you’re not convinced yet. 🙂
In 1978, Bernie Marcus was fired from a do-it-yourself hardware store called Handy Dan. Just one year after being fired, Marcus teamed up with a fellow businessman by the name of Arthur Blank to start a little store they called ‘The Home Depot’. Today, The Home Depot is the largest home improvement retailer in the world with over 2,200 stores and over $100 Billion in revenue. You may have seen them around here and there! Now I’m sure Bernie Marcus didn’t like the setback of being fired from Handy Dan—but if he hadn’t, would he have achieved the success he has today?
Bringing it on home… Finding the benefit in a setback is an ability that must be learned and cultivated. We don’t know at all how long this pandemic will last. But I want to encourage you to continue to move forward, no matter how far you’ve been knocked back. While we may not know exactly what the future holds, we do know that this will eventually fade away. Right now more than ever, this world needs and will continue to need great leaders like you!
Will you be ready to bounce back from the setbacks when it does?