When a project doesn’t go as planned, I see it as an opportunity for growth. First, I reflect on what went wrong—analyzing the root causes and identifying key lessons to apply moving forward. I actively seek feedback from my team and stakeholders to get different perspectives and improve my approach. Finally, I create a clear action plan for my personal development, setting specific, measurable goals to address areas of improvement. By taking these steps, I not only learn from the failure but use it as a foundation to become a stronger and more capable leader.

Project failures can be valuable learning experiences. I start by conducting a thorough post-mortem analysis to identify the root causes of the failure. This helps me pinpoint areas where I can improve my skills and knowledge. I actively seek feedback from colleagues and mentors to gain different perspectives and identify blind spots. Once I've gained insights, I create a personalized development plan outlining specific actions to address the identified weaknesses. This plan includes setting SMART goals, seeking out relevant training or mentorship, and practicing new skills in a safe environment.

Consider that “there is not failure, only feedback”. What were the expectations? Why weren’t they met? Plan to mitigate and track those risks and issues in the future. Reach out to mentors, coaches, or advisors that could point out blind spots.

Setbacks in projects are not just obstacles; they are invaluable learning opportunities that can propel your career forward. Embrace the lessons learned from these experiences to refine your skills and enhance your resilience. For newcomers, particularly, leveraging these moments to build a personal brand and narrative can be transformative, showcasing your adaptability and growth in the face of challenges. Remember, every setback is a stepping stone toward greater achievements, especially in navigating the complexities of the Canadian job market.

Achieving Career Success Despite Setbacks? Being able to navigate through failure can change everything. Let's look at how we can turn missteps into stepping stones toward success by understanding the mindset and strategies required to do so. As I have spoken with many MBA students about successful careers, I have learned that failure is integral, and at times inevitable, to the journey. We can gain insight into how they handled setbacks by understanding how their brains responded to them. However, we can be sure that resilience, growth mindsets, and self-compassion played critical roles in their career development.

Review the project process: How did you fall short of your goals? What could you have done better? What structures could have helped you achieve the success you wanted? Do you need help? Can you get the help? Answering these questions will help you have a better understanding of the challenge you faced and the solution to the challenge. You'll now be better equipped to tackle this type of challenge and even help others.

Failure is a stepping stone, not a roadblock. Reflect deeply on what went wrong and extract valuable lessons. Seek constructive feedback to uncover blind spots and gain new perspectives. Use this experience to craft a focused development plan that aligns with your goals. Embrace setbacks as opportunities to adapt, grow, and build resilience—key traits that pave the way for long-term success.

1. Be clear and transparent with your team on your shortcomings and what triggered the failure. Reflect on what went wrong. 2. Do a postmortem or Case study sharing to highlight the significance of your project, and what you learnt in the process 3. Evaluate the resources used, and if worth it, reflect if there's any way to pivot and transform the outcome so that this can lay the foundation for future attempts.

Having projects that dont go to plan is a normal part of learning. Take a breath and reflect on what went well, what didnt go so well . Seek feedback from the project team - a wash-up meeting is good practice as it will surface the good and not so good - some of which you may not be aware of. Ask your project sponsor for feedback also. Based on your own reflections and feedback received, now consider what could you have done differently. What is the first step you will take? What else will you do? Who can you enroll on your journey - this could be your manager or a coach/mentor. How will you know you have made progress on the prioritised areas? (consider what would be different - deliverables, communications, how you feel on completion?)

Own your failure! Readily share your lessons learned with others. Don't hide from your failure--embrace it. Use this as a teaching moment for yourself and others. Turn those lemons into lemonade by showcasing your resiliency and your humility.