The Failure Sessions

Failure Brief #5-Perspective

When it comes to navigating difficult situations, perspective is everything. Once you gain the experience over time, you gain the perspective to understand what a real problem is versus something minor. Learning this takes time, and it requires going through situations that will teach you that all the anxiety and energy you put yourself through, wasn't worth it.

Brooke Bains, Entrepeneur, Consultant, Mentor, Leader

When Brooke Bains set out to start her own business, she had no idea what was ahead.  What has she learned through the process?  Everything! Brooke is a consultant, a business coach, and now the startup founder of Bombshell.  She has a ton of wisdom to share in her career journey and the perspective can help anyone in their current stage.   This is a must listen for anyone seeking advice on how to develop in their career.

Failure Brief #4-Leading with Empathy

This week's failure brief is designed to get you thinking about how you are showing up with your peers, friends, and teams during this incredibly challenging period of time.   Early in my career as an individual contributor, I focused on results and production first.  I always thought that people who were going through challenging periods of time were using it as a way to mask their inability to produce first.  I was completely wrong in this way of thinking, and it took me some moments as a leader to really understand the importance of leading with empathy first.   Today, the people in your circle need you more than ever.  Take time out of your day to check in with people and show you care.  Everyone is going through challenging moments, separate yourself from the pack by showing your empathy.  As a leader, you will get 10x the production out of building relationships centered on care and empathy first.

Failure Brief #3-Interview Failures

Interviewing can be an incredibly emotional process that drains you mentally, but it's not how you interview that I'm focused on today it's all about what happens if you fail to land the role.   While nobody has a perfect track record through the interview process, I believe that it's all about how we bounce back and use the learning's to progress forward.  Failing to land a job gives us the feedback and perspective for how to move forward.  This information helps us to improve and gives us the fuel to be successful on the next round.   My own personal failures in the interview process have led me to where I am today.  I'm incredibly thankful to Comcast telling me no in 2010, and Amazon telling me no in 2012 and 2014.  If you've been following along on previous Failure Brief's then you'll know I was told no several times right out of college!  These closed doors taught me to think different about my preparation and my brand.  I used that feedback to eventually land the role I have today.  In fact, I'm still using that feedback today to develop as it made a lasting impact on me I will never forget.   Remember, you're always being interviewed and the way you bounce back will define what happens next for you.  I hope this week's episode gives you some insight the next time you find yourself being told no.

Cayle Hunter, Consultant, Tesla Alum, Sales Director, Musician

"Nobody who ever changed the world said, wow, that was easy" Cayle Hunter and I first met in January 2019 when I tried to hire him.  After our first call, it was obvious that he had talent.  After meeting in person, I was even more hooked on his talent, approach, mindset, and intrigued by his background.   Then, I went online and watched the band he founded, Armed for Apocalypse, absolutely thrash on YouTube.  We exchanged stories about baseball, and he told me what it was like to be on late night conference calls with Elon Musk during his time at Tesla.  In short, another opportunity came along that he couldn't pass up, and we missed out on working together.  While many would have deleted the phone numbers, we continued to stay in touch and I'm thankful we have.   Cayle is currently working as a consultant but his time at Tesla mixed with his growth trajectory prior gives him great perspective on the concept of learning as you go.   Cayle's story can be summed up by using words like relentless, fearless, and never being afraid to fail.   On learning from failure....."without failure, I would never have appreciated the opportunities I was given after" and "I didn't even get started on success in my career until I failed multiple times before" On career development....."I went from trying to extract value from my employer to trying to add value for my employer" On career advancement....."if you want something special, then act special" On life principles......"my happiest moments have been when I've been authentic"