We love to read about the dynamics of success. We study it, celebrate it, and try to emulate how successful leaders rise to the top. I’m no different: I’ve spent my career helping executives succeed, either through coaching and development or assessments of their strengths and opportunity areas to identify the development work they need to do to take their careers to the next level. But even as I’m drawn to success stories, I have found that the greatest lessons come from examining failure.
3 Transitions Even the Best Leaders Struggle With
You can’t avoid them.
July 02, 2018
Summary.
Some of the greatest leadership lessons stem not from success stories, but from failures. In this piece, the author describes three career transitions in which different kinds of failure are common: the transition to a C-level role, leading an organizational change initiative, and feeling “stuck” once they get to the top. The author goes on to suggest that receiving 360-degree feedback can help with the first, developing political savvy and communication can help with the second, and cultivating a network of supportive mentors and families can help with the third. Professional reinvention is never easy — but whether we succeed or fail, these attempts offer a lot for us to learn from.
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New!
HBR Learning
Career Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Career Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
What's your next career move? Learn how to set yourself up for success.