Sports and journalism can teach us much for career and business advancements. A news headline stunned me concerning the recap of the Commanders’ game vs. the Seattle Seahawks. The headline read, ‘A night to forget! ’ From my perspective, a better headline and message to display is ‘A night filled with lessons for future success! ’

Earlier today, I had a conversation with someone whose background was in chemistry, while mine was vastly different, yet we both agreed that ‘Mindset is Everything! ’ Lessons for improvement exist just about everywhere. Our blog offers insights on how ‘Poor outcomes can teach better methods for growth. 

Poor Outcomes Can Teach Better Methods

Forget or Recall Incidents

If we were to remove memories from our mindset concerning losing business, a job offer, or a game, similar errors may replay repeatedly until we are willing to deal with the situation. 

All endeavors need to weigh the pros and cons of poor outcomes to improve future efforts. Moreover, reviewing the details of the possibilities for why the incident took place can help prevent similar incidents. 

The better practice is to examine the following aspects of business or sports to improve future outcomes:

  • The oversight(s) for the error to occur.
  • Limited training due to budget cuts.
  • Improper communications including leaving out specific details.
  • A lack of team effort due to limited coaching or leadership.

‘Our worst experiences can be our gifts in disguise when we are willing to learn from them. ’

Trash the Blame Game

It’s safe to say that everyone makes mistakes. In terms of a professional game, is it the team players or the coach who is responsible for a better effort – or is all members of the team, including the coach responsible?

Similarly, in the corporate environment there are multiple divisions, teams, and necessary training to execute duties well. But should a mishap occur in the corporate environment or with a client, is it the representative who is at fault, the team, or the leadership of the company? 

Sadly, management will often blame a staff member for errors without taking any responsibility whatsoever. Often, the result is not to make good on the error and embrace the lesson learned, but to encourage the employee to quit. The outcome typically affects the employee let go, the morale of the team members, and the need to interview a potential new hire becomes costly and negatively affects the bottom line. In other words, everyone feels the loss.

Proper Training Fuels the Fire for Success

Most everyone errs in some way. Trash talking solves nothing, but proper training will motivate and inspire staff and team members to do their best. Tracking where the incident began to future steps forward, plus the new goal achievements will gradually increase morale and the desire for everyone to put in a better team effort. Accordingly, the team players on the field or in the office will remain longer as together their achievements soar past initial expectations.

Conclusion: Poor Outcomes Can Teach Better Methods for Growth

Never ever forget poor outcomes, but vow to learn from them so they don’t occur again. Moreover, as new errors occur, review the incident(s) from every angle to improve future outcomes. Pep talks help teams, and encouragement helps staff members in corporate to be willing to make ongoing efforts to perform their best.