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It's OK to Fail!
March 19, 2008
One of my partners at The Rawls Group is fond of saying, “Success is based upon the failures you learn from.” Before you read on, please stop for a minute and think about that statement. Next, reflect upon your life and think about a success in your life that came as a result of you failing several times along the way before finally achieving your goal.
One of the stories that comes to mind is my oldest son’s quest to learn to ride his bike without training wheels. For quite some time Nathan followed my wife and I around town, through puddles and back home again. One day while at a park he said, “Dad, can you take off my training wheels? I don’t want them anymore.” My wife and I were shocked. I said to him, “I can take them off, but you will need to keep your balance or else you will fall down.” He said, “That’s fine.” So, I took off his training wheels, helped him on his bike and gave him a soft push forward. He pedaled for about ten feet, fell down and scraped his knee. Much to my surprise he picked up his bike and asked for another push without crying at all. After the next few pushes and subsequent falls Nathan was riding his bike without training wheels! Success for him came after having the confidence he could do it and then falling down along the way before finally reaching his goal (by the way I am a proud parent if you could not already tell).
Our personal and business lives are filled with examples of failing before achieving success. That’s what made you who you are today and what ultimately helped you to develop a successful business. However, when it comes to allowing our children (potential successors) to make mistakes in the family business arena, often times we do not follow the same logic. Many business owners do not want to see their children struggle and then have to deal with adversity. Unfortunately, this protective behavior often stunts the child’s growth and self confidence, and, potentially, your eventual exit strategy!
All too often, parents are too soft on their children in a family business setting. Consider the following as you work to develop prospective family member successors, or are simply providing an opportunity for your child to work in your business:
- Start him/her at the bottom of the totem pole. This sends a message to your employees that family members are not above fulfilling any position in the business.
- Place children in measurable positions where they can be held accountable and also have the opportunity to exhibit their work ethic and attitude.
- Require family members to report to managers who are non-family.
- Let him or her fail…really, it’s ok, as this provides a tremendous coaching opportunity!
- Be careful not to use a family member to plug an existing hole in the business on a long term basis (I have seen far too many family members trapped in positions for years as a result of plugging a hole they thought would be short term…and they are miserable and unfulfilled!).
Posted by Dave Ciambella on March 19, 2008 | Comments (1)
