Too often ‘Lesson’s Learned‘ is something we discuss at the beginning of a project or an opportunity, but in the end we spend, well let’s be honest, we WASTE time justifying “why” we failed.
It is easier to rationalize with excuses and blame versus taking the time to understand what went wrong and why. Lesson’s learned are the time spent focused on ‘who screwed up‘ versus supporting a corporate mindset based upon how our brains work. Viewing “Failure as an opportunity to grow!” Viewing failure as the prospect of improving every aspect of our business. Interacting and establishing Corporate Culture to winning proposals.
Psychologist Carol Dweckthe calls it, establishing a “Growth Mindset.” Letting our brains change and grow in response to a challenge. A mindset where we welcome challenges as an opportunity to prove we can do anything we want.
Bill Gates said, “Once you figure out one thing, helps you understand the next thing, then the whole thing makes sense.” while describing his observation of how Leonardo Da Vinci was able to address so many different disciplines (e.g., painter, architect, inventor).
Leonardo used his imagination and understanding in a world without Google to create the bicycle, the helicopter, and airplane just through the observation and the physical make-up and flying capability of a bat.
You have to believe Leonardo had failures, had hiccups, but never pointed the finger. Conscious that hiccups may occur with one goal in mind; figuring out one thing, then the next thing until the whole thing makes sense.
Leonardo had what Angela Lee Duckworth would define as GRIT…She said, “Grit is either unrelated or inversely related to talent,” eliminating blame and dispelling the myth, I’m not good enough, but it also uncovers the truth. Grit makes you determine what it takes to move to the next thing and how our role fits in the larger scheme of things.
What we need is Grit.
Until next blog, increase your Character by being brave, having backbone, and perseverance!
Al McCormick
