S8 Ep6: Handling Public Failure: What to Do When Things Go Wrong in Front of Others

Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategy to thrive in your career.In this 9-minute episode, I open up about something we all face but rarely talk about — public failure. Whether it’s freezing in a boardroom, sending that dreaded reply-all, or stumbling during a presentation, these moments feel awful because they challenge not just our competence, but our identity. 🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:What public failure in leadership really means — and why it feels so personalHow to shift from toxic self-blame to healthy accountabilityPractical tools for staying grounded and credible when things go wrongWays to rebuild trust and reputation without losing yourself in the process I share real stories — including some of my own — and offer scripts, mental resets, and leadership tools you can use in the moment and after the fact. Because leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about how we rise when things go sideways.If you’ve ever walked away from a meeting thinking, “Well… that didn’t go well,” this episode is for you.I hope this episode reminds you that you are more than your worst moment, and leadership isn’t about getting it right every time — it’s about showing up with courage when things don’t go as planned. 🎯 What Next?A big thank you for tuning in to Your Path To Career Success – where your ambition meets actionable advice! 🦉 Ready to upgrade your CV or LinkedIn for leadership roles? Book a free discovery call and explore how my Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme can support your next step. 🦉 If this episode helped you shift your mindset, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s ready to lead. 🦉 You can book 1-2-1 support with me here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl 🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for even more leadership career tips and CV transformation insights. 🧰 Recommended ResourcesHere are a few resources I mentioned (or were inspired by this episode) to help you deepen your reflection and resilience: 📚 Books & Articles"Dare to Lead" by Brené Brown – A masterclass in leading with courage, vulnerability, and integrity."The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership" by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman & Kaley Warner Klemp – Brilliant for shifting out of blame and into ownership."Man’s Search for Meaning" by Viktor E. Frankl – For finding power in pause and purpose during difficult moments. 📝 Tools You Can UseThe Reset Framework Pause Process Plan (Great for responding to difficult moments with clarity and calm.) “Lessons from Hard Days” Journal Prompts Reflect on: • What did I learn? • What surprised me about myself? • What would I say to a friend in my shoes?The Bounce-Back Bank Keep a folder of kind words, praise, and wins. Visit it when your inner critic gets loud. I would love to know what you think of the episode