January 16, 2023  

Falling Down as a Leader

We all have days (or months, or years...!) when things just are not going the way that we hope or expect. When this occurs, we can become vulnerable to falling into a mindset of self-pity or a victim mentality. But there is a solution, and it's simpler than you think. The quickest way to pick yourself up off the floor when things aren’t going your way is to be GRATEFUL. Indeed, just thinking of something to be grateful for is one thing, but thoughts will only get you so far. You must also ACT on it. And how does one act on gratitude? You go help someone else! When you fall down, you lift yourself up by lifting up others. Doing this gets you out of your own head. Acting with the habit of gratitude builds your character - who you are, and who you are becoming (the best version of yourself). It also builds your authority as a leader, which attracts others and models for them the right way to handle adversity.

This article was last modified on January 16, 2023 .

About the author 

Darren Smith

Darren Smith is Co-Founder of the Authentic Leadership Institute. He is a native Texan and a graduate of Dallas Jesuit and Texas A&M University. Over the past 25 years, Darren has visited 35 countries and led 100 strategy programs. He and his wife have five children.


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