The Unexpected Blunder
Learning from mistakes is hard. Ego, defensiveness, blame, avoidance, and fear prolong stupidity.
Learning from success is nearly impossible.
Workaholics succeed. Manipulators get ahead. Cutting corners pays for a while.
Failure asks questions. Success makes stupid look smart.
The Unexpected Blunder of Letting Success Make You Stupid
It takes humility to succeed skillfully.
#1. Conduct a “Success Autopsy”
Dissect success before it turns into failure.
Look beyond yourself for reasons you succeeded.
- What went right that we didn’t plan for?
- Where did good fortune or timing bail us out?
- What did this success cost? Burnout, strained relationships, ignored priorities, or cut corners.
#2. Replace “I did it” with “We did it.”
Success has more contributors than leaders realize.
- Who contributed to success? Be specific. “We succeeded because Mary …”
- Who deserves more credit than they’re receiving?
- What aspects of success didn’t depend on you?
Complete this sentence before you speak to anyone: “This success belongs to ________ because they ________, and it wouldn’t have happened without them.”
See success as stewardship. Instead of thinking, “I’m exceptional,” think, “I’m grateful for ________.”
#3. Measure Success by People Development
Hero leaders celebrate achievements.
Humble leaders celebrate the growth of others.
Instead of, “What did I accomplish?” Ask, “Who became more capable because I led them?”
Next time ask, “How can others do this without?”
True leadership success makes you less essential.
#4. Stay Teachable.
The greatest danger of winning is feeling you’ve arrived.
- What did I miss?
- What would make this better next time?
- What would someone who disagrees with me say?
The unexpected blunder isn’t failure. It’s mistaking success for wisdom.
Success is temporary; humility stays curious.
How might leaders solve the unexpected blunder?
Why Smart Leaders Do Stupid Things – Leadership Freak
Hidden Dangers Of Sustained Team Success Leaders Should Watch For Forbes
I think under “Success Autopsy” we could also look at how we succeded in spite of X… a blunder, bad info, poor leadership, barriers in our systems, etc. Sometimes we find a win in places that could have easily been a failure. Success in spite of is worthy of celebration; and corrective measures. 🙂
Love the idea of “in spite of.” It’s humbling and that’s a good thing. Thanks for sharing your insight.
Leaders often emphasize learning from failure, but I believe we should spend as much time reflecting on and deconstructing success as we do failure.
Failure usually gets our attention. Success can be more dangerous because it can reinforce behaviors that are not sustainable. A leader may conclude, “My approach worked,” when the reality is that timing, market conditions, talented employees, or good fortune played a significant role.
The best leaders avoid the trap of thinking success proves they have all the answers. They remain curious, humble, and focused on learning new insights.
This statement sings: “Success can be more dangerous because it can reinforce behaviors that are not sustainable.”