Retain Top Talent

Interesting article about failure leading to success. I've been a deep reader of ideas around "failing forward" over the years. One of my core interview subject areas I recommend that clients probe is failure and the learning that comes from it. How people demonstrate resilience around failure. My own experience is that I got fired from my first job out of  college.

How has failure lit a fire under you and contributed to your success?

This article caught my attention. In my executive search practice I focus on interviewing for exceptional talent - those who have a passion for self-improvement, learning, and development. I look for people who have developed a high degree of mental toughness like resilience, focus, effort, overcoming adversity, taking initiative, being proactive, and tenacity. You can develop all these traits - you're not born with them.

Here's my question: If you can teach yourself these core traits of success and a few others - why don't you do it? The payoff to applying yourself at a completely different level is enormous. We don't do it because it's really hard work! Most people are happy being complacent, being average, accepting their lot in life as a given that they cannot change - because they dont want to make the effort to be better.

What's your pain threshold for being ready to change your mindset and your behaviors?

I usually don't share personal improvement type stories, but I couldn't help myself with this one. This could be one of the greatest development issues for most of my clients, friends, and family members. Many times we are paralyzed by analysis - rumination and overthinking. Just do it as the Nike motto asserts in their ads.

Take action, be innovative, try new things, pivot in a new direction.

I've done a lot of coaching with my clients during the Covid crisis. Most executives have a mindset of protecting what they've created and not wanting to "rock the boat". Unfortunately, drastic changes require drastic pivoting, which requires action. Most of the executives I encounter have put their heads in the hands are praying things eventually return to pre-mid-March levels. You and I both know that's never going to happen. So the big question is: What's your first drastic pivot move?