4 lessons for rising again after setbacks at work

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This post was last edited by Thank goodness you're here on 2015-7-16 at 14:42. Tip No. 1: Identifying the reasons for failure. Whether it’s because the company dismissed you for some reason or due to personal issues, such people tend to complain or feel sorry for themselves, constantly criticizing themselves and unable to get over those setbacks. Most people blame the environment rather than reflecting on themselves; this excessive self-esteem hinders an individual’s learning and growth. Those who are able to get back on their feet after failures at work can quickly adjust their negative emotions; instead of wasting time regretting or looking for various subjective reasons, they focus on reflecting on their mistakes and errors. They also seek advice from supervisors, subordinates, and colleagues in large numbers, hoping to hear honest opinions rather than comforting words. Experience Tip 2: Find a solution. Next, you need to actively seek your next new direction, rather than spending time trying to avoid the issue. You should analyze yourself carefully and then consider your career, thinking about what your strengths are and why you have weaknesses. Good opportunities don’t appear right away; of course, especially when facing setbacks at work, feelings of anger or disappointment can make it harder to see the way forward clearly. Research by change management expert William Bridgets also highlights the struggles and anxieties these people experience when facing their current identity, future expectations, and the decision to let go. Senior executives we consulted described it as entering a \"gray area\" – the current situation is in a state of disarray, but it’s not clear what success will look like in the future. This is also why it takes time to test some ideas and figure out what to do next. One of the options is to consult a career advisor or seek psychotherapy; both can help clarify future goals and promote personal growth. Alternatively, one can choose to take a break from the workplace to pursue further education, or to try working at a startup or a non-profit organization. Take a pause to reflect on the new meaning that workplace setbacks bring. Think about the reaction when Bourne was fired back then: he began to consider taking lower-ranking jobs so as to have time to improve his personal management skills. Let’s take Paula’s example again: We met Paula while studying the resilience of senior online advertising executives involved in company restructurings as they recovered from setbacks. When the new CEO of the high-tech company where she worked wanted to restructure the business, Paula initially thought she was in safe hands, as the European division she led had met or exceeded its targets for 11 consecutive quarters, and she had been promoted three times over the course of five years. But later, her position was actually cut. At first, in order to protect herself and her team, Paula blamed the company’s political struggles and complained about her boss’s mistakes. But three months after the company announced the news, the day came when she had to leave, and she had no plans nor any intention of doing so. Later, she spent a long time reflecting on her work and life. She began reaching out to friends and colleagues; in her words, it was not about socializing, but rather seeking opinions and suggestions to help her think about her future goals. She met with many people and had conversations, taking careful notes; finally, she proposed four directions for future work: she wanted to market new products rather than moving them from the United States to other regions, she wanted to have more direct communication with customers, future companies needed to have a unique value proposition, and she liked working with colleagues she trusted. Paula is looking for the next job with these goals in mind. Experience Tip No. 3: Seize the present opportunity. After identifying several possible actions to take, it’s time to choose one of them. Undeniably, this is a bit concerning, especially when entering an unfamiliar field. Reconsidering one’s career position is one thing, but putting it into practice is another. However, keep in mind that you still possess all the experience and skills from your previous job, plus the experience you’ve gained from setbacks in the workplace. You might also redefine what success means. People’s needs and priorities often change dramatically over time: when a child is born or grows up and leaves home ； Divorce or death of a parent ； When one reaches middle age, the dreams of childhood are gone, and a new life begins ； Your views and abilities are outdated, while new opportunities for growth and challenges are calling to you. Therefore, choosing the right opportunity is also related to the time period at that moment. Paula’s story is exactly such a representation. She created a list of \"essential requirements for a job,\" and based on that list, she sought out more senior positions; eventually, she ended up working as Vice President of International Business at another smaller company in the same industry. This job is also in a European city, which happens to be where she lives and is a place she aspires to settle in for the long term. Unlike Paula, Bourne decided to take on a lower-level job, which gave him the opportunity to learn* how to be a good manager. He gradually understood the reasons why his previous work was unproductive and developed strategies to overcome those shortcomings. For example, if a subordinate’s performance does not meet the targets, he does not immediately focus on it; instead, he discusses the matter privately with the relevant supervisor. After a few attempts, Bourne gradually became accustomed to this cautious way of working. Another example is Bruce, a senior information officer at a New York bank who has experienced mergers and acquisitions. Although he stayed after the merger, his expectation of taking on the position of head of information at the new company was unfulfilled. Even though he went through a restructuring and wasn’t laid off, a year later, after rethinking his personal and professional goals as well as various job opportunities, he decided to move his family to Austin, Texas, to join a smaller but highly successful technology company. Importantly, he has time to coach the soccer teams of two kids and to play guitar in a local band, thus fulfilling his musical dreams from his youth. Just like Paula and Bourne, after experiencing failure in the workplace, Bruce went through a difficult search process before taking action with confidence. He moved to another city, changed industries, and took a job that would allow him to get back on his feet and thrive. For senior executives who decide to stay with their current company, the biggest changes they need to make are in their mindset and their sense of loyalty to the company. It’s similar to Stan’s situation. Stan works for a company that provides professional services; he is aware of how his peers view him, and he loves this important position, beginning to appreciate his salary, position, and benefits. At the same time, Stan also found new sources of satisfaction and a sense of achievement in mentoring the next generation of talent to pursue new business opportunities. Changing one’s perspective in this way is not easy, just like changing jobs or companies. If you can’t find joy in your current job like Stan does, you might need to look for it in family life, community service, or your hobbies. Only a richer life can make up for the shortfall of not being able to become a key figure in a team or organization. Experience Tip No. 4: Turn setbacks into positive energy. We all know that resilience and adaptability are key factors for success in the workplace. However, not everyone is born with these qualities; therefore, it is quite important to know exactly what to do next when facing setbacks at work. Some of the methods offered here can transform the anger and self-doubt resulting from failure into a positive attitude toward new possibilities.