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Episode 49 How to be comfortable with failure in your leadership career
Manage episode 514152628 series 3618820
In this episode, Sarah talks about a topic that every leader faces but few like to discuss -failure. She explores why it feels so uncomfortable, what’s really going on in your brain when you fail, and four practical ways you can reframe, recover, and grow stronger from failure -so it becomes fuel for your success, not a roadblock.
Show Notes
[00:00:00] – Welcome to Unstuck and Unstoppable
[00:02:30] – Why We Struggle with Failure
- The higher you rise, the greater the perceived risk.
- Failure feels more personal and visible for women in leadership.
- Internal fears (imposter syndrome, self-doubt, confidence dips).
- External factors (organizational culture, risk aversion).
- The impact of gender conditioning — women are socialized to “get it right.”
- The double bind: be strong but not too strong; warm but not weak.
- The representation pressure women feel when there are fewer female leaders at the top.
[00:07:30] – Sarah’s Personal Failures and Lessons Learned
From HR initiatives that didn’t land, to failed business launches and missed job opportunities -Sarah shares how she’s learned to view failure as part of growth rather than something to avoid.
[00:08:30] – The Benefits of Failing
Failure can:
- Build resilience and risk tolerance
- Offer powerful learning and clarity
- Strengthen leadership authenticity
- Model a growth mindset for your team and organization
[00:10:00] – Four Ways to Get More Comfortable with Failure
- Rewrite Your Failure Narrative
- Understand the Neuroscience of Failure
- Use Positive Psychology to Reframe Failure
- Build Self-Compassion
[00:16:30] – Start Small & Build Your Risk Resilience
Experiment with low-stakes risks to grow your confidence over time. Failure tolerance is a muscle - the more you stretch it, the stronger it gets.
[00:17:00] – Quote to Inspire You
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games.
26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot — and missed.
I’ve failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
— Michael Jordan
[00:17:30] – Final Thoughts & Coaching Invitation
Sarah encourages listeners to see failure as an essential part of leadership growth.If you’d like to explore your own relationship with failure and unlock your next level of confidence and success, book a Career Breakthrough Call with Sarah.
Useful Links
Free Break Free From Imposter Syndrome Webinar
Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration
Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes
Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn
Rate & Review the Podcast
If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected]
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