Stay The Course

It’s February. That means your New Year’s resolution is over 30 days old. You are one step closer to being one of the 92%[1] that fail to keep their New Year’s goals. Maybe you didn’t set a New Year’s resolution but simply “determined” that you were going to start something new. Regardless of whether it’s a resolution, a determination or simply something you want to commit to, your chances of failure are pretty high.

Ever thought failure was okay? I think it is!

I often work with leaders who need to improve an underdeveloped skill or need to correct a bad habit or blind spot in their leadership. The improvement or correction doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a combination of awareness, training, application, and continuous feedback. And it takes time!

A recent client asked me to help her communicate more effectively with her peers and direct reports. We started with helping her be more aware of how she naturally communicates versus how her peers and direct reports communicate. I gave her some techniques and suggestions on how she could communicate differently. Finally, I charged her with reviewing each of her conversations using these techniques and assessing whether the conversation accomplished its purpose.

Did she always use the technique perfectly or communicate more effectively? No. At first, she failed more than she succeeded. Over time, however, she started to succeed more than fail. Now, her new communication style is helping her be a more effective leader.

Failure is okay. The difference maker is staying the course after the failure. I find it takes about six months of concentrated effort to develop a new skill. Don’t get discouraged by failure but rather focus on what went well and what you could do differently the next time. Keep learning new techniques, trying different methods, seeking suggestions, receiving feedback, and evaluating your progress. Don’t give up.

What skill are you trying to develop? Don’t forget to stay the course over the long-term and I am sure you will succeed!

Susan Rozzi is the president of Rozzi and Associates, a leadership and organizational development company helping good leaders become great! Our programs start with the premise that great leadership skills are a product of time, practice and focused development. Our leadership development, emotional intelligence insight and career management programs can be customized to meet your desired outcomes and needs. Contact Susan at susan@rozziandassociates.com.

[1] Diamond, Dan. “Just 8% of People Achieve Their New Year’s Resolutions.” Forbes, January 1, 2013.

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Generational Leadership