Letting one’s weaknesses show is not a success formula, according to the business gurus. The idea that one willingly acknowledges failure only occurs after one has turned the failure into something that others can admire. Between restarts and success, the common advice is to keep failures out of sight. The premise of the advice and behaviors is that one only needs to make a mistake once. If one learns from one’s mistakes, the only outcome is success.
In my experience, life rarely works that way. Failures come in many shades and sizes. The root cause of any failure is likely the same as the last one with the differences found in way it played out in life. In one situation, failure came from not seeing the bigger picture and ignoring other’s advice. Move to the next situation, very different, yet the root cause was the same. It is true that I did not see it that way when I was in the middle of the situation, however time has a wonderful ability to bring clarity.
In a spirit of reflection, let me offer the following three observations that I keep repeating to myself.
Acknowledge mistakes early and openly. David’s plea can be ours; “God, be gracious! Put me together again – my sins have torn me to pieces.” (Psalm 41.4) Our value as a human being is not tied to the mistakes we have made or the success we have claimed.
Look for the root cause. Frequently failures are wrapped up in complexity and relationships. As messy as they seem, Life keeps reminding me that the source of the problem is often very simply. In my case, pride, selfishness, and the need to do it by myself are often at the root.
Seek community. Putting one’s self in a relationship of accountability is a good thing! It may not feel good, but seek feedback and act on it. Two can see a lot more than just one. Many can see beyond anything one can imagine.
Failure or success, we are judged by how we walk.
