Super talented and capable people make mistakes, they suffer setbacks, they’re sometimes misunderstood, and even rejected. It’s how they communicate during and after the “failure” that makes people either shy away from them, or have a renewed sense of allegiance and understanding.
Today’s Wall Street Journal (search on Doctoroff if you're not a subscriber) recaps the 11 year quest of Dan Doctoroff, the Deputy Mayor of New York, to bring the 2012 Olympics to the city. He worked tirelessly, spent $4 million of his own money, and ultimately lost out to London. He empathized with the people who avoided him because they didn’t know what to say. He gave credit to those who stood by him during the 100 hour weeks, especially his family. And he very publicly described his feelings as well as his evaluation of the situation, what he is doing to move forward and what he learned from it all.
Letting business associates see your human side is a tricky thing. Will you be perceived as soft? Will your honesty sound like bitterness? Is placing (partial) blame on factors outside your control always a bad strategy? Or, heaven forbid, if you’re female, will people slap the “emotional woman” label on you? How can you show introspection, a renewed spirit and a well thought-out altered plan or direction?
The Conference Board is holding a seminar on March 7 in Chicago that addresses just these issues – a session on Leadership Dialogue, entitled, “Why should Anyone Be Led By You?” It is being led by Rob Goffee, a professor of Organisational Behavior at London Business School, and Gareth Jones, an author and former Director of Internal Communications at the BBC. The seminar description lists as potential questions: “How does self awareness help to achieve authenticity and respect from peers and colleagues? How do you demonstrate empathy and caring when making tough business decisions?” Tell us your success stories!
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