Latest / TWRS-Leadership Straight, No Chaser / Why Failure Is Essential to Great Leadership
Transcript
- Scott Brandt: What if this one thought is actually what's holding you back and hurting you? Welcome back to Together We Are Stronger, Leadership Straight, No Chaser. And it is one of those things that I had heard somebody share a couple of days ago. it is failure isn't an option. And so the crazy thing is the bastardization of so many sayings. and leaders trying to use this to push people to motivate, but really not looking at where the origin of the saying came from. So this actually was originated with NASA. And so that one makes sense because that's life or death, but majority of the time when it comes to leadership, it's not life or death. And so the Aspect that you're gonna say you're either gonna succeed or push through What if failures that variable that we've talked about that everybody thinks that they can cut every variable? but what if failure is that variable that is just part of it and it sucks because when we think about The idea the connection with failure We probably got our ass kicked as a kid when we failed in school. And so we have this hesitation to really truly embrace the idea of failure. When you think about that, because you had commented on it, and it's one of those things that's very interesting, I think a lot of us overlook and truly don't understand the damage that we're doing to people when we don't truly fully understand the saying or we're trying to convolute it to make us look better and that we can motivate people. but you might be motivating people in the wrong way. Big G: Well, you know, when you take a look at, know, failure is not an option. It really scares people, right? It's like, my God, if I fail, I'm not successful and all this stuff. It brings a meaning and I make some notes. You know, neat people have heard this a thousand times. Failure is not an option. Sounds tough. It's inspiring. But as often it's a mistake all the time is misunderstood. People hear it because they think about it. I can't fail. I can't mess up. I have to be perfect. That pressure crushes creativity and it crushes everything because every time you're making a move, my God, if I fail, every time I turn a corner, what's going to happen? And it stalls progress, disconnects your growth. And I want to flip the meaning. Failure is not an option. What it really means, quitting is not the option. Because a lot of times failure is used such so bold And it's like, no matter what you do, you get back up, right? It's like playing sports, you're playing football, you miss a tackle, you know, you missed the play, you ran the wrong way, whatever the situation is, you know, you just get up, you have to get back up and move forward and making that happen. And what that virgin is built. Jesus. Verse means is builds the resilience in you and encourages the momentum. That's what we're talking about and I think a lot of times Scott when we talk fairs on option and I have used it before it makes you sound tough and everything else makes you like wow I can make breakthroughs but when it breaks it down it's It's a way to, I don't know, it just doesn't sound right. It's not, to me, it's non-professional because you're going to have those failures. You're setting people up, you know, if I make a left turn instead of a right, I'm going to fail at this. You learn from the mistakes, but you keep moving forward on things that you're having success with. the term doesn't make any sense to me. . Scott Brandt: It may not make sense, but how many people that are in leadership positions do you see quoting that? How many do you see putting that out on social media? And like I said, they're butchering it. It's bastardization of the whole thing because you don't fully understand or you haven't done your research. The crazy thing is when I was looking at that, they said that was actually a cinematic quote. So as part of the movie Apollo 13. And it was more for cinematics than what the actual individual utilized. And so it is a very interesting thing when you look because people don't do research. They're like, that's a cool quote, but you don't go and do research on the whole thing because I brought this up. was like, okay, if you don't believe failure is an option. Failure has taken place. How are you going to go back to look through what happened? and extract that lesson that you need to extract for growth. Because if you don't think it's an option, then that means it's gonna not even be considered. And then you're not going to grow like you need to. You're not gonna find that limitation that you have discovered to bring that forward and say, okay, next time when I go and do X, Y, Z, part of that piece is where I felt. But the issue though, when people hear, it's not an option, okay, well that means I don't need to go explore those failures that took place. And the thing is, is what one person may consider a failure may not be a failure for somebody else. And so it's a very interesting thing, but it goes back to leaders, they're like, I wanna sound so smart. I'm like, no, like, are you going to do more harm to somebody than good? And so it just goes back that a lot of people try to sound smarter than what they are and try to do some craziness, just stick out. So it is one of those things that I just scratched my head, but it is to each their own. Big G: Well, forgive me for not being on point tonight. bit not feeling well today but let's break it out let's take a look at failure right let's look at that word failure various part the failure part is part of the progress it's not the all it doesn't end right you took out leaders athletes and you look at entrepreneurs have failed several times. You know, not just once, sometimes over and over. And I made notes on this. Failure is how you learn that doesn't work. So you can find what does. And I think failure is such a strong word and people use it loosely in a sense. I think they do. You know, if you fail, you know, you're this or that. And that's really, That's a wrong way to really learn, teach someone that. It's part of the process. It's part of what you're doing. The phrase should be motivating, not intimidating. And that's where failure comes in. When you write, you hit it right on the head. When you hear failure and you see people bring it up, it can be very intimidating. So your creativity, your growth, you want to expand, all that starts to shrink in your mind because you're like, I don't know if I can do this now. And that's what when we've been talking about, that's what it's good to have someone, you know, part of your tribe, part of being a coach. because you'll overcome those things. You're learn from things that, oh, I shouldn't have made this, I shouldn't have done this, I shouldn't have tweaked this. But those failures are a way you learn how to make things happen correctly. And failure builds character. It doesn't break it down. It doesn't take your character and make it worse. Like I said, failure, when you break down failure, it has so many different meanings. to it. And I think a lot of times people just stumble, reveal something about their discipline, right? And your mindset, your faith, it's not a punishment. And I write these notes, and you know, like I said, I'm underneath the weather tonight, so I made notes. It's a preparation. So guys, listeners, leaders, entrepreneurs, listen to the word failure and take it and make it a positive twist. And when you are talking about things like that, people completely understand it's like what Scott said. Break it down and study it. Find those words because, you know, what's the strongest part of our body? It's the tongue. And it's what do I mean by that is that what you say can do more damaging than just the physical part of your body. A tongue can put people down and take them off to the side and make them go sideways. So watch what you say to people and make sure that you are motivating people the correct way. Because you know what? Failure is not an option, So, I mean, I'm just, I'm trying to, it's just something that you have to go through and understand what it really means. And it's the breakdown of it. Scott Brandt: the like button if you have a any value from the episode here. So think about this. I shared this a couple of episodes ago, I believe. But why would a big company like Google or Apple have a value rate given a 40 % to their technicians? So if a big company is giving that to their technicians, their workforce to say, hey, 40 % is part of the benchmark for failure. Why would we, that is a much smaller entity than those individuals, not embrace and kind of look at what they're doing? And so it's a very interesting thing because that goes back to studying. And a lot of people probably don't know that. If you were to ask, lot of people don't know that. And so you had highlighted the fact that when you are Big G: Yeah. Scott Brandt: fearful and this goes into why Apple or Google, I don't remember which one of the entities has that, but they wanna allow people to have creativity. And so you were highlighting the fact that failure will stifle creativity, especially if you think it's a bad thing. And so you're not going to take the risk and that's where creativity comes into play as part of the risk is creativity. But if you have a sense of fear of I don't wanna fail, you're not going to take a risk. And that means creativity is not going to be kicked in and creativity is needed because that is part of the imagination piece. And that allows your brain to find answers to the questions that you're asking. And so that's another thing that people really don't realize how much harm they're doing to themselves when they have this. negative relationship with idea of failure. And so it, like I said, it goes back to Apple or Google saying, Hey, we have 40 % failure rates here as a benchmark because they want people to tap into creativity and not have that fear of, if I fell, it's not a good thing. Big G: Yeah, I mean you take a look at those things. You know, every business is different and how they run. But you know when you talk when you're talking about failures and things like that. It is so crazy as a human. What we take in words, what it can do, it cripples us in a sense that you're not motivated to do anything. Because number one, you're scared. You're trying to figure out what to do next. And I think it's very important to, when we talked about having a coach, when you are, you know, have a coach in business, you know, they say, you know, 70 % of the people who have coaches, the business survives. And I think people miss that mark and it's listening to people who, you know, even though, me just say this, get my brain straight. Just because you failed on some doesn't mean someone takes the same idea and they overcome it. The mindset is different. Your mindset is different. But as you grow and you learn from all the different things you've gone through. It overcomes that you got to take a look at failure builds character. I mean, I mentioned that before. And a lot of times people don't realize that and they take it so to heart. They just they stop what they're doing. They stop dreaming. You know, I'm not going to let someone stop me from doing that. I'm not going to let someone say, you know. You know failure is not an option. Well, you know quitting is not an option If you want to take failure as an option, know what change that word around make quitting is not an option And that's a true statement quitting is not an option You know, and I think a lot of times people overlook it And I you know, there's not an option giving up is an option you don't want to do that It's tough decision that I run into. Because people are sensitive these days. If you say something wrong and they take it wrong, you really have to explain yourself what you're saying. Scott Brandt: If you're looking for these types of videos with these values and whatnot, hit the subscribe button. Honestly, you have to ask yourself, because failure is so ingrained to try to avoid for all of us, you as a listener, what have you avoided that may be hurting you because you need to go in full bore with whatever it is to gather that growth to get ready for that next level? So. because of your fear of failure and your negative relationship, what have you held yourself back from doing that you need to do because there is the opportunity for growth, getting you ready for that next lesson. So it's a very interesting thing because that was one thing that they highlighted was it's not a failure is an option, it's quitting is an option. But I guess you might have some people be like, well, what's the difference between quitting and failure? And so... I would look at it, there might be the situation that maybe you're just not in the right position. And so you might have to give up whatever you're doing and figure out what's going to fit you ideally as an individual. And so that it's a very fine line because you might think that it's quitting, but it may not just be in your wheelhouse. It may not be part of your zone of genius. And so you need to pivot. You need to figure out what's going to fit you as an individual and allow you to operate within your zone of genius and really what is going to be that strength for you. And so when I look at that there, it's, goes back to when I hear things, when I see things, I look at it a bit differently. And so there's probably going to be people that are asking. So when you think about that, George, there's probably people that are gonna be like, what's the difference between failure and quitting? Big G: Well, you know, that's a great question because I wrote that down. The moment you stop trying. Quitting. Right. The lesson ends. regret begins. And you got to keep moving even when it's slow. And I found this quote world needs people who are not afraid to look foolish for chasing something great. And, you know, I rather. How would I put this? The things I've gone through, I will never quit. And it shows your family shows people are you close to failure is not an option. Well, to me, quitting is not an option. So everything that we do, no matter what didn't work out. Okay. Tomorrow's a new day for you to sit back and think about certain things. you know, I wrote, sat down growth list and other sides of discomfort. And I don't want to want to be uncomfortable because it makes you get up every day. And no matter what is thrown at you, I'd keep moving forward. Because the mistakes you make, the on the way, the bumps, the bruises, the tears, the happiness, you're learning something. And when you get someone who's like, well... You failure is not an option, but I'm going to have to not do this anymore. You lost complete... You lost yourself. You listen to people that just took you sideways. Your creativity shuts down. We talked about that. But you lose everything about yourself. That regret kicks in. And you know, even at 62 years old. I don't have any regrets. I could change some certain things and do certain things. The one thing that my family knows, Scott, know, Ron knows, and a few other people, is I'm not quitting. And no matter what. God is with me every day. I'm gonna keep moving forward every day. And show people no matter what's thrown at you, what you've been through, you can overcome anything in front of you. And that to me is so important. Not just in business, but it shows people around you that... When they look at you, a guy, he's gone through this, this, and this, but the guy never quit. So the girl never quits, right? And people look up to that because you never quit. never let down your guard. And I think, you know, even though I'm underneath the weather, my brain's a little fogged out right now. It's just something that we need to talk about. And a lot of people don't realize how important it is. when you are on the breakthrough, matter how tough it is, you keep moving forward. because the breakthrough will be worth it. And you get to share it, show it, understand it, and give leadership and valuable lessons to people to say, listen, no matter how tough it is, you gotta keep going. And it's the learning lessons, but you know what? When people ask you how you did it, you have a story to show behind it. I mean you take a look at all the people who have failures in like I said in sports entrepreneurs everybody everyone but in their chapter of their book there's always talks about failures is why because it's the proper way to set up people correctly and it's not given some you know some kind of fluff in the story. It's the truth. I think people need to have failures because it helps them overcome it. Scott Brandt: Well, there's three things to really implement with the realm of failure. And that is that you want to reflect, you want to reframe and you want to rebuild. And so with the reflection piece, it is taking that time to find where the gap took place. And so you had your expectations and then what ended up not working out. Big G: Yes. Scott Brandt: And so you look at that gap and you're like, okay, there is where it went wrong. And what is it that next time I need to figure out and think of, and then with the reframing piece, it's not the identity base of I failed. It's here is a limit that I discovered. And so I can learn from this limit, grow and go to the next thing. And then the rebuilding piece is taking those first two steps and then bringing it forward. and then start building it into the DNA towards success. So those are the three things to think about when you come into the situation of failure and to look at it differently, to be able to extract the things that you need that are going to help you going forward, that are going to help you next time. And then the thing is, is where you felt here, there might be something that is very similar to this in a different realm of your life. that you can take this situation here and bring it over here to create that bridge to improve that area. So the thing is, is a learning area in one realm of your life may aid and help you out in another realm of your life as long as you're in the moment, you're being present and then allowing that change in how you see the aspect of the failure piece. Big G: And I'm going to add a few things to it as you were talking, I wrote some stuff down. mean, growth lives on the other side of discomfort. So when you feel like you're uncomfortable and you feel you're growing. And then the last thing I really have to say, and that's really the pain of failure is temporary. The lesson that you learn last forever. And so while you're going through, let's say, the failure, and it's just a lesson, on the other side of it, that lesson learns, it lasts forever, and that's where you get to really share with individuals, your team, your sales team, your business partners, in the sense of you've gone through so much pain. But you made it. And see, that's what happens. People don't want to go through the pain. just, they will. Most people play it safe because the fear of trying is the fear of trying. Go through it. The bold ones learn to adjust and lead. And I think a lot of times people are that failure word. You're going to fail. Why, you know, you've been there, done that. Now don't listen to people like that. You're going to fail at it. It's okay. We talked about someone, you know, would you take advice from a person that failed in the restaurant and you're ready to go open one? No. That person like, why are you going to do it? I failed at it. You got, you know, it's two different people. So, know, two different people, one business is different. Find out how did it fail, why did it fail, and take that as a learning lesson. And then make sure when you do your business plan in your restaurant, let's just say, that you overcome that fail. And next you know you're successful. People just give up, People are scared of fail, and you know what? You talk to anybody who has success from every, you know, every person. They had, they were scared, you know, scared of failing and all that. But they, they overcome that and they get to share that sport. And I think that's so powerful. Instead of the ones who failed and walked away and put, you know, their head between their shoulders and they just look sad and down. They'll have massive regrets. Especially when you get to an age that, you know, you can't do it anymore. Scott Brandt: So yeah, if you're a leader or if you're over here just kicking your own ass because you're holding on to this one idea of failure isn't an option, you gotta let the go because the fact is, it is a variable and it is just part of the process. And so you need to adjust your relationship and how you view the idea of failure. Because if you can adjust that and you can work to make it better, it will shop and you'll be in a better position because you'll embrace the opportunity to go take those risks, to be creative and really pursue what you want to pursue instead of holding yourself back because failure may take place. So we appreciate it. Thanks for being part of the journey. Thanks for letting us be part of your journey. Other than that, we'll catch you on the next episode. Big G: Thank you so much.