Opinions expressed by entrepreneurs’ colleagues are their very own.
Failure is not the opposite of success; It’s a part of the trip. In my years, as the general director and president of the international business cleansing franchise system, I understood that the most successful entrepreneurs have one common feature: they accept defeat as an opportunity for development.
Put on a failure
One of the most useful lessons I discovered is that a failure is just a failure if you do not learn from it. Think about how a stepping stone, not a road blockade. Take, for example, Sara Blakely, founding father of Spanx. He attributes a lot of his success to her father, who encouraged her to rejoice defeat at the table. This way of considering helped her take a risk, knowing that failure was simply a part of the process.
In Anago, we had some moments that didn’t go according to plan. Each of them was an opportunity to improve our approach. At the starting of my profession, I faced the challenge of passing from a beginner profession in financial services to a leadership role in business cleansing franchises. Although it began as a family company, the industry was latest to me and I had to admit that there have been many that I didn’t know. Instead of perceiving my lack of experience as a drawback, I accepted it as an opportunity to ask questions, listen and learn from everyone around me – from first line employees to experienced franchisees. This readiness for learning laid the foundation for the leader I’m today.
Get a place at the table
For me, this lesson is deeply personal. The takeover of the company from my father didn’t occur overnight or without effort. I didn’t pass the keys to Anago; I had to get my position while working and learning every segment of the company. Before I could sit at the helm, I took up my sleeves and got a practical (literally) experience in cleansing customer offices, customer sales, franchise sales and customer support.
This experience taught me that a meritocracy matters. Authentic leadership consists in understanding the complexities of your organization, not only dictation from above. I often draw on these early years when making decisions. I walked in their shoes. It is easier to empathize with team members and franchisees. If you wish to overcome the failure, it’s essential to justify in detail and be ready to do the work.
Perseverance not perfect
Failure often signals the need for trading. Howard Schultz, former general director StarbucksHe met with rejection of over 200 investors when he put his idea to introduce a coffee culture in Italian style to America. Instead of giving up, he adapted his tone, creating a global phenomenon.
Success rarely appears in the first attempt. Walt Disney, who stood in the face of bankruptcy and rejection before the creation of an empire that we know today, is an example of perseverance. Over 300 bankers initially rejected his vision of Disneyland, but refused to quit.
A critical lesson here is to adapt and proceed progress when applying conclusions drawn from each experience and each rejection.
Surround themselves with the right people
Nobody goes alone. Steve Jobs once said: “One person never does big things in business; A team of people makes them. ” He understood that he was strong team It is obligatory to overcome the challenges.
We invest a lot in our people in Anago. Our franchisees at the master and unit level are our partners in success and supporting the support culture, all of us win. From sharing the best practices to providing mentoring, our community allows everyone to learn from ourselves and victories.
Failure is inevitable, but it does not define you. Instead, he shapes you in a more decisive, more talented leader. Next time you encounter a failure, stop and ask: what does this teach me? You can turn obstacles into possibilities by changing failure, adapting to change, earning a place, persistent by challenges and bending into your team.