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Setbacks are inevitable, but as a leader how you respond to them is the difference in how the situation plays out. Your reaction influences the outcome. Bury your head in the sand, give-up, or react without thinking will not solve the problem. 

But you can turn the situation around! By acknowledging the setback, reframing it as a learning opportunity and focusing on solutions is a positive and productive way to move forward. You can face and overcome the challenge, build resilience and in doing so, lead by example and inspire your team.  

4 Ways to Turn Setbacks around! 

1. Acknowledge and Accept the Setback: 

Acknowledge the reality that setbacks occur, don't shy away. Step up as a Leader accept what's happened and face the issue. Take time and delve into understanding the issue, get the full picture then focus on seeking and finding solutions. Plan and develop a course of action. Reflect to learn but don’t waste time dwelling on the what ifs or might have been.   

2. Reframe the Setback as a Learning Opportunity 

Life throws us many challenges, both in our personal and professional fields. As a Business owner most likely you will and have experienced setbacks. The COVID pandemic an example. It certainly turned our lives and economy on our heads. Smart operators have used that horrific setback as a learning opportunity. They reframed the challenge, focused on the positives, identified the strengths and lessons learned from the experience.  Example, Joe’s café was ‘tested’ with COVID distancing and lockdown rules. With no in-house business Joe had to find solutions and look for opportunities. He did so, by baking takeaway dinners and selling them direct from the refrigerator. Phone, click and collect sales soared and he was able to trade his way through this setback. He turned the situation around!

3. Gather your Team 

When the going gets tough it's time to gather your team, band and bond with them to steady the situation. Be open and transparent in your communications as they will look to you for guidance, direction and reassurance. Honesty is a must, share the challenges faced while demonstrating confidence in your ability to deal with them. Lead by example, this will inspire and help build their trust and loyalty to being part of the solution. 

    4. Move Forward

Move on!. Refresh, rebuild, restart! One door closes another opens - step through, embrace opportunity!.  

Takeaway: 

Setbacks are inevitable, but with the right mindset and approach, by reframing it, you can turn the challenge into a learning opportunity.