A Lesson from LeBron James
"I tried hiring someone and it didn’t work?!"
"Why can’t I just find an employee who is actually good?!"
"Why won’t my people just do what they’re supposed to do?!"
Do these sound familiar?
After two decades immersed in the world of business and leadership, coaching, consulting, and training thousands of leaders and aspiring ones, I've encountered nearly every conceivable complaint about the hurdles of hiring, training, leading, and nurturing talent. It's no surprise that novice leaders in the early stages of their leadership journey often find themselves most frustrated. For those accustomed to individual success, the transition to leading others can be a rude awakening. Here's the truth: Leadership is HARD! Mistakes are inevitable. But each misstep, hiccup, or failure is not the end; it's a learning opportunity.
Every setback inches us closer to understanding what works.
Consider LeBron James, the basketball icon. In his early days, he didn't sink every shot he attempted. But did he throw in the towel after a miss? No. He practiced, studied, and improved gradually, acknowledging that perfection is a journey, not a destination. Even today, he still misses shots. The same applies to leadership: it's a continuous journey of growth and development.
Yes, leadership is challenging, yet it's indispensable for achieving ultimate success and freedom. There's no shortcut to genuine freedom without mastering leadership. Perhaps you've experienced setbacks in your attempts at leadership. Remember, failure is not a dead end; it's a detour towards progress. Each failure gives us feedback that helps us get closer to getting it right. Like LeBron advancing through various stages of basketball, from elementary to professional, our leadership journey demands patience, resilience, and a willingness to learn from our mistakes.
Don’t fall into the setback trap!
Wise leaders understand that perfection is unattainable. Despite decades of experience, they still encounter occasional failures. However, they refuse to be defeated by missed shots. Instead, they embrace these failures as opportunities for growth, grabbing the ball and preparing for the next shot. Never forfeit the game because you missed a shot.
If you've encountered setbacks on your leadership journey, it's time to regroup, reflect on your experiences and errors, and prepare for your next move. Your future success hinges on your ability to persevere and learn from adversity.