Experts share tips on overcoming failure in the workspace

Whether in the Olympics or in the work sphere, missing out on a win that was within grasping reach can be shattering. But, as our experts say, it doesn’t mean the end of the show

Carrying the expectations of 1.35 billion people is never an easy ask, but for Indian Olympians across disciplines, it amplifies the pressure of a podium finish manifold. And so, failing to make the cut, as was the case with the Indian women’s hockey team and golfer Aditi Ashok, brings crushing feelings of dejection. 

The same is also true for ambitious professionals who either have their sights trained on the higher rungs of the corporate ladder or are heading disruptive enterprises of their own — seizing or creating opportunities comes with an inherent risk of failure, and with that risk comes the likelihood of disappointment and dejection. “Especially in countries like India, where we’re taught to flow with the tide instead of swimming against it, the fear of failure can keep professionals from innovating and exploring new avenues. And, in doing so, they run the risk of playing too safe by not trying anything new at all. That stagnation can be their downfall,” observes Sonalee Panda, a business mentor.

Taniya (left) and Sujata Biswas

>> Acknowledge your failure: “While working at a large financial organisation, I realised that I had made a significant error in my judgment, which could have had drastic implications on my team and the company, as a whole. I immediately informed everyone concerned so that remedial steps could be taken well in time. It also lifted a tremendous weight from my shoulders and showed my team that I was accountable,” Panda shares. It’s also important to give yourself time to grieve your failure — if you’ve worked on something long and hard, accepting that you have failed can be heart-breaking. Don’t deny yourself of that, adds Farzana Suri, a business coach.

>> Focus on your strengths: Don’t be bogged down by your failure or dwell too deeply on it. Positive self-talk and taking stock of your past successes can remind you that this is only a blip in your trajectory. At the same time, examine what you would have done differently and use this mindset to prepare for your next goal, Suri advises. 

Sonalee Panda

>> Reframe the loss: Learn to differentiate between a personal and a relative best, says Brajesh Bajpai, a leadership coach. While you cannot control what others are doing, you can certainly ensure that you’ve given your 100 per cent to your endeavour. Separate your own motives for undertaking a project or task from the expectations that others have from it, adds Rishi Piparaiya, an author and a business coach. “For instance, people I know may want every book I write to be a bestseller, which may not always be the case. I think it’s important to keep in mind why you think what you’re doing is important. And, if you’ve achieved that, you’ve succeeded,” he says.

>> Build a process: “I believe that one of the key reasons for failure is the inability to define a sound roadmap to achieve our objectives. Working on the process is more important than being completely focused on the target. If the process is sound, you usually get to where you wanted to go. Even if you don’t, you have a stable foundation to continue the journey,” says Harsh Rohatgi, CEO of Qube Cinema Technologies. 

(From left) Brajesh Bajpai, Rishi Piparaiyah and Farzana Suri

>> Talk about it: “Many founders believe in painting a rosy picture of their success stories. We believe in the opposite: we share within the organisation and with the world at large our struggles and our successes. From our corporate experience, we’ve seen how certain organisations penalise failures and pin them on individuals, rather than work on them as a team. A culture of sharing means that we make a concerted effort towards ambitious targets and have each other’s back when the going gets tough. This openness encourages our team to try new things,” says Sujata Biswas of Suta, a lifestyle brand she co-founded with her sister Taniya. 

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