Welcome to the Tero June eZine

In the book, Work as a Spiritual Practice, author Lewis Richmond relates a story about a search for a new company president. The senior executives were given confidential reports to review for each candidate. In one candidate's file under a section titled "Weaknesses", was a notation that stated, "Candidate has not failed." The search firm saw a lack of experience in failure as a negative. If the candidate lacked the experience of going down with the ship, what knowledge and skills would they draw on in times of inevitable stress or decline? Could they handle it or would they panic and run?

Failure is commonly viewed as a weakness. Yet is it?

Richmond states there is no curriculum to learn to fail - it is not taught as a subject in business school. Although failures are real, the reality according to Richmond is tentative and relative. How we define success oftentimes sets us up to consider an event a failure. Our own limitations and unrealistic expectations can cause us to stop our efforts and alter our feelings of self-worth. When things flop, would we be better off to simply recognize the gift in the lesson and keep moving forward with new understanding and ability?

In the midst of disappointments and let-downs it is challenging to remember failing precipitates growth. This month’s eZine explores the situations and circumstances that both cause us to fail and force us to grow.

The Q and A examines two leading contributors to feeling like a failure: stress and overwhelming expectations. The development challenge encourages us to look at our leadership behaviors by getting 360 degree feedback. Allowing others to help us recognize areas in which we have room to grow can identify and correct malfunctions in working with others.

The article is from a chapter in our new book, Your Invisible Toolbox: The Technological Ups and Interpersonal Downs of the Millennial Generation. It examines reactions to stress that prevent us from growing, and can cause us to fail. Choosing our behavior rather than reacting in times of stress serves us well, but in this chapter titled "Stressed Out", you will discover why it is easier said than done. We have compiled a list of resources for turning fiascos into instants of personal advancement and we close with inspiration from author J.K. Rowling on failure, growth and life. According to Rowling, failure is a life skill that even the most successful need.