Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Failing Your Way to the Top



“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The greatest triumphs of an individual’s life do not come from following a narrow path and reaching a goal. The true triumphs, the stories that are remembered, come from those who face adversity, fall down, get up, fail again and press onward. They are the stories of the Rudy’s, the Lincoln’s the FDRs, and the Amelia Earhart’s; they are the stories of the individuals who have goals but overcome multiple setbacks- whether they are economical, physical or social.

Each week I am approached by someone who is looking for advice to develop them in the workplace. Working in staffing has taught me so many skills in the last year: how to interview, how to write a resume, how to communicate with everyone from a data entry candidate to a hiring manager…. the list is endless. My answer to those advice seekers is not anything that I have learned directly related to my job; my answer is a life lesson.

If you want to succeed, truly rise above the norm, you must learn to fail, fail again and continue to get back up. You must learn to try new things, share out-of-the-box ideas and take chances no matter how much it may scare you to potentially be wrong.

I’m not saying that you need to go occupational skydiving. The workplace translation is this: maintain an inquisitive attitude, don’t be afraid to be innovative, speak up when you see an issue, and take the initiative to start new projects or learn a new skill that would benefit the company.

The greatest triumphs of your career will not be realized by simply completing your daily tasks to the set standards; the greatest triumphs of your career will be a result of innovative thinking and initiative that drive results above and beyond the standards. If you present an idea that does not work out, or are wrong, at least you are demonstrating an interest. Admit it when you are wrong, learn from your mistakes and continue to improve. Without failures and mistakes to learn from you will never grow. Without innovative ideas your company will never grow. Most employers want to see growth; it is the name of the game.

Next time you speak to your Senior Manager, Vice-President or CEO ask them how they made it to the top. Chances are they didn’t hide behind their cube and wait for their turn in a corner office; chances are they failed their way to the top.

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Katie Atkinson, Treasurer

treasurer@ypaugusta.com