Throughout our careers and our lives, we all deal with setbacks. A setback may be work related, such as a missed promotion, or personal like a family illness or even your own illness. We all have times at work where we are not totally on top of our game.
The key to dealing with these setbacks is how you react, how you stay connected and how you bounce back.
One secret to success is staying in the game, regardless of how tired and/or discouraged you may be, it’s very important to stay connected as well as you can to your team and your employees. If you are away from the office due to a setback, stay connected via email and be present for conference calls when possible.
Setbacks can take a toll emotionally. Be patient with yourself; give yourself some time to deal with your feelings. It’s natural to be frustrated or upset when experiencing a setback. You cannot ignore this or “sweep it under the rug”. You need to work through your emotions in order to get to the other side and move forward in a positive direction.
Accept the fact that there will be setbacks, challenges and obstacles in our lives. Try to stay focused on the big picture and remind yourself that whatever it is, the setback is just temporary and that you can work towards change and a better outcome in future endeavors. Stay as positive as you can through the process, especially in the workplace.
Take the time to learn from your experience. Whatever the case, there is always a lesson. Truly successful people experience bumps in the road all the time. It’s how they handle those bumps and what they learn from them that ensures their success in the future.
As a leader who has experienced a setback recently, it’s so important to keep a positive attitude and realistic perspective on what’s happening. Stay calm and let your employees know that you are available for them and that “we can get through this together.” Don’t be afraid to have open and honest conversations with your team and set boundaries where you need to for their sake or for yours, depending on the situation.
Don’t be afraid to delegate. Ask for help from your team, trusted colleagues or friends. People are happy to help. Most times you will be surprised by the support you will receive.
Try to accept the situation for what it is. Stay calm and centered. Your team will draw strength from that. Admit your mistakes and move on, take the lessons with you.
During a setback, remember to lead or operate with CLASS.
Staying Connected. Learning from your mistakes. Asking for help. Setting realistic goals. Staying positive.