Have you considered...failure?

Failure.

It isn't something I talk about much. That's not because I haven't had my fair share of failures but I prefer to focus on the successes. I am an optimist. I take lessons learned from failure and turn them into motivation and improvement for the next go round. Otherwise, failures are in the past, not something to dwell on.

But what about a significant failure? How does a servant leader handle failure when it hits close to home or involves someone you've invested emotionally and spiritually in? What about that kind of failure?

Most servant leaders internalize failure when people are involved. We do so because so much of our identity is enveloped by people. Even those of us who are basically introverts (or would prefer solitude over the multitude), people are how we gauge our service. The success of our people is how we gauge our leadership.

So, when our efforts to teach, train, rear, or otherwise lead someone fail, how do we handle it?

First, we must realize that failure is an option, not an indictment. Jesus failed.

"But Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.' Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief." (Matt 13:57-58, NKJV)

And how did Jesus respond? Well, He went on to save the world and secure eternal life for those who believe, so, that's a plus.

Seriously, though. Failure is something we all face and our reaction to it tells more to others about who we are than anything we can ever say or do when we are successful. For the servant leader, failure may be a defining moment. It may force a pivot in strategy or approach. It may even force us to change direction. Even though failure can be definitive, it does not have to define us.

So, the next time you face failure, Servant Leader, codify the lesson and move on.

"If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet." (Matt 10:13-14, NKJV)

As Jesus taught, "let your peace return to you" and move on. Take note of why you failed. Do a root cause analysis if necessary, but don't dwell on it. Even if your failure was with someone in your charge, move on. Accept it. Own it if that is what the situation calls for, and move on. Identify what happened and if possible, build a mitigation against a repeat failure...but...move...on. Nobody benefits when your head is in the past. Not you. Not your company or family. And certainly not anyone you may have failed. That's what Jesus did. After all, He turned failure at home into universal success.

What else would you call defeating Death, Hell, and the grave?

(Photo courtesy of the Servant Leadership Institute.)