Episode 49 How to be comfortable with failure in your leadership career

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 FailureThe 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 LearnedFrom 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 FailingFailure can:Build resilience and risk toleranceOffer powerful learning and clarityStrengthen leadership authenticityModel a growth mindset for your team and organization[00:10:00] – Four Ways to Get More Comfortable with FailureRewrite Your Failure NarrativeUnderstand the Neuroscience of FailureUse Positive Psychology to Reframe FailureBuild Self-Compassion[00:16:30] – Start Small & Build Your Risk ResilienceExperiment 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 InvitationSarah 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 LinksFree Break Free From Imposter Syndrome WebinarSign up for Weekly Career InspirationLearn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching ProgrammesBook a Free 121 Clarity CallJoin The Love What You Do Facebook GroupConnect with Sarah on LinkedInRate & Review the PodcastIf 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]