Final Blog Post: Failure

"I have a congenital aversion to failure." - Lincoln

Hi everyone, this is my final blog post for now, and in it, I'd like to discuss a subject that plagues the consciousness of the human race:  The idea of failure.

We humans have been conditioned to strive for our highest possible potential, and to view failure as an event ranging from the unpleasant to the devastating.  We have developed different ways of coping with failure, some good and some not so much.  The problem is, we have failed to see the upsides of failing and all that could be gained by learning from it, to the point where we are terrified of failure.

The flip side of this is where we have people that that are not afraid of failure, because they believe they can do no wrong.  People like this have what is known as the "God complex."  While it's not particularly bad  to have some measure of confidence when approaching difficult situations, people with the God complex refuse to believe they are wrong even when they might clearly be!




The sad truth is that this God complex is far too common in many, even authority figures, who are so convinced their way is right that they are willing to let their organization and followers suffer from their bad decisions.  The first step to becoming a good leader is admitting that one isn't perfect, and will in fact fail, if not frequently, then at least once in a while.  Admitting failure is probably the biggest, and hardest, step a leader can make, as it is believed that by admitting failure, that somehow makes one weaker and incapable of leading.  On the contrary, by realizing and acknowledging that not everything is successful does not actually make one weaker, but displays aptitude, and as long as a leader chooses to capitalize on his failure, it also displays a willingness to improve.  Willingness and understanding of a situation are among the most important traits of a leader, and by admitting failure and preparing to work on it, one displays those traits.

With this final blog post, I will end with one last quote by a great leader, Abraham Lincoln:

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed, is more important than any other one thing."

What's in a Name?

"Tact it the ability to describe others as they see themselves." - Lincoln

I was among a group of friends the other day, and one of them was eating a meal he had prepared himself.  When I asked if it was any good, another one of my friends blurted out, "Of course it's good!  He's Cuban, they're awesome at cooking!"  Despite us all laughing it off, it made me think of what I had learned about preconceived notions about different people, and stereotypes in general.

As we advance in in technology, knowledge, and progress, many stereotypes have still persisted, sometimes stubbornly and against reason.  Only recently have women been considered for, but not yet admitted for, active combat roles; gay men are still barred from donating blood to blood banks; most Muslims are regarded with distaste, if not open hostility; and all of these examples are motivated by misconceptions and negative stereotypes.


In all of these examples, however, there is one positive element.  For each stereotype, there are constraints put on people, telling them how to act around others, how to behave, and how to shape their personality.  Looked at the surface, this is not particularly helpful or good for individuals.  After all, how are restrictions placed on a person good?   However, looking at this another way, these constraints are a challenge, a positive challenge for people to break these barriers, and go against the stereotypes that they feel do not truly define who they are.


And for those who are on the other side, and observing and collaborating with the stereotyped, this would be the perfect opportunity to realize what stereotypes they are coming in with, and see beyond that, and notice anything and everything that does not adhere to that model.  Each person is unique, and despite thoughts that each person fits a certain "cookie-cutter" mold, even from the person the thoughts are being directed towards, it is important to see that just as no one's life history can be seen from a first meeting, a person cannot be classified according to a stereotype.

Spheres: What are they good for?

"There has never been but one question in all civilization-how to keep a few men from saying to many men: You work and earn bread and we will eat it." - Abraham Lincoln

People have always had power over others, whether friends, employees, or entire regions.  These people have what's known as a sphere of influence.  Just like a planet keeps satellites in orbit around it by the sheer force of gravity, people can slowly attract others that have similar interests, or are willing to hear what what one has to say.  These people then open themselves up to be influenced.  That's not to say that one has to be high up in position to have a sphere of influence, or really have actual control of people at all.

For example, even though I am in no position of authority over others, I still have a sphere of influence among my friends and family, as they listen to my thoughts, and collaborate with me on decisions and steps to take for the future.

This leads to the heart of the sphere of influence.  One can only keep their sphere together as long as they align themselves with those whose values are similar.  For example, if you value helping the poor, a group could be formed with people that are just as passionate about this issue as you, and as the overall influence of the group grew, so too would the power and influence you would have over its members and the ability to find even more people that share your values.

The sphere of influence could be likened to a balloon, expanding as more and more individuals become part of it.  But unlike a balloon, it will never pop!