Here’s how to learn from mistakes and grow from failure

Is it possible for leaders not to make significant blunders during their careers? What is special with those who appear not to blunder? Since human beings are prone to make mistakes, is it a matter of luck? Can I succeed without serious blunders?

It is impossible for a leader to dodge every potential career blunder. Mistakes are part of human nature. Besides, leadership, by its nature, often involves complex decision-making in uncertain circumstances, where perfect foresight is unattainable. Some leaders, however, seem to avoid significant, career-defining errors. Their seeming infallibility is seldom attributable to mere luck, but to a blend of strategic anticipation, self-awareness, and adaptability.

Leaders who appear less prone to blunders often possess keen judgment and a capacity for reflection. They rely on informed intuition, backed by data and diverse perspectives, allowing them to anticipate challenges and weigh consequences more effectively. Such leaders cultivate a habit of rigorous questioning, seeking input from trusted advisors and encouraging constructive dissent within their teams. Such practices may help to pre-empt potential errors by testing assumptions and evaluating a wide range of outcomes. This not only broadens their understanding but also enables them to anticipate potential pitfalls and adjust their approaches appropriately. Moreover, such leaders are highly self-aware; they recognize their strengths and limitations, seeking counsel in areas outside their expertise rather than acting impulsively or arrogantly.

Moreover, resilience and adaptability can enhance leaders’ ability to handle missteps gracefully, learning from mistakes rather than succumbing to them. When errors do occur, such individuals would focus on rapid course-correction rather than dwelling on fault, thereby palliating the impact of the blunder.

While good fortune may occasionally play a role, particularly when external factors unexpectedly favour or shield a leader's decision, sustainable success generally hinges on skillful management rather than random chance. Leaders who appear to avoid blunders understand the importance of rigorous preparation and vigilance, the value of learning from every misstep, and the wisdom of embracing humility in the midst of their successes.

Rather than get paralysed by the trepidation of contemplating possible adverse consequences of making a blunder, focus on making progress aware that mistakes are not entirely avoidable. To quote Henry Ford, ‘The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing’.

Fred Gituku is a HR expert