Leaders have a particular condition that causes them to make mistakes… they are human beings. That’s not the worst part either; the worst part is that those mistakes can lead to failures. Worse yet, some of those leaders double up the failure by failing to learn from the mistake.

And that’s a terrible waste.

Authentic Leaders never waste a failure; they learn something from each one. They know that learning from leadership failures is one of the most valuable ways to grow as a leader. They understand that failure isn’t the end; it’s a stepping stone to future success when handled correctly. Here’s a structured approach that many Authentic Leaders use to learn and grow from leadership setbacks.

1. Acknowledge the Failure (Own It)

Take responsibility: Avoid blaming others or external factors. Owning your mistakes shows accountability and integrity.

Understand the impact: Reflect on who was affected by the failure (your team, organization, or clients) and how.

2. Analyze What Went Wrong

Identify root causes: Was it a poor decision, a lack of preparation, a communication breakdown, or something else? Tools like root cause analysis or 5 Whys can help.

Seek feedback: Ask your team, mentors, or stakeholders for honest input. Sometimes, others see things you missed.

3. Extract Key Lessons

Look for patterns: Have similar mistakes happened before? If so, it may indicate a deeper issue (e.g., rushing decisions, micromanaging, or failing to delegate).

Identify the leadership skill gap: Determine which leadership qualities (e.g., empathy, communication, strategic thinking) you need to improve.

4. Develop a Plan for Growth

Set learning goals: For example, if the failure resulted from poor delegation, commit to improving that skill by reading books, attending workshops, or seeking mentorship.

Apply the lessons in real time: Take proactive steps to prevent similar mistakes and implement changes based on what you have learned.

5. Communicate Openly and Transparently

Be honest with your team: Share what you’ve learned and how you plan to do better. This builds trust and shows your willingness to grow.

Encourage a culture of learning from failure: When leaders model openness about their own failures, it encourages the team to do the same.

6. Build Resilience

Focus on your mindset: Learn to see failure as feedback rather than defeat. Resilience helps leaders bounce back stronger after setbacks.

Maintain long-term vision: Don’t let one failure define your leadership journey. Keep the big picture in mind.

7. Celebrate the Comeback

Recognize progress: Once you have turned things around or successfully avoided repeating the same mistake, take time to acknowledge the growth.

Share your story: Talking about how you turned failure into a lesson can inspire and empower others on their leadership journeys.

Example in Action

Imagine a leader launches a major project that fails due to unclear communication and unrealistic timelines. By reflecting and gathering feedback, they realize they didn’t properly involve the team in planning. They then take steps to improve communication, adjust project timelines, and create a culture where team input is valued.

In leadership, failures are inevitable. But what separates great leaders from the rest is their ability to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward. What’s a leadership failure you have seen (or experienced), and what lessons came out of it?