Keys to Success: Always Persevere

It has been stated many times that success is a journey and not a destination. This journey is also filled with many peaks and valleys and most often you have to overcome a lowest valley to achieve your highest peak.  In order for this to occur, a leader must always persevere.

Today’s business landscape is highly competitive, very stressful, and even the best leaders are going to experience disappointment and often failure.  However, since every leader will get knocked down or experience an unforeseen setback sooner or later, it is the strong leaders who persevere and ultimately reach their highest peaks.

Early in my career, I had a time period where I fired an employee for credit card fraud, learned an employee was on the sex offender’s list, found out an employee was stealing company IP and sharing it with my competitors, turned over a chunk of my sales workforce, lost a major customer… all in the midst of a multi-million dollar lawsuit. Several of these items alone would be enough to have the best leaders throw his/her hands up and say that I am done; however, with all of them it was almost too overwhelming.

The recovery began when I took each item and created a plan to address them individually as there was just too much to tackle at once. Over time by believing in myself and my abilities and refusing to never quit and always move forward, I was able to get the company back on the trajectory towards my highest peak. 

I found a great article that demonstrates perseverance.  It references the Apple Company as The Greatest Comeback of All Time. Also, I love a recent quote I saw from Anthony Rendon of the World Series Champion Washington Nationals after starting the season 19-31.  He stated that you should always “Stay in the Fight”.  

Playing or coaching basketball for most of my life, when I encounter challenging circumstances, I am often reminded of the famous Jimmy V and it gives me the extra boost I need to keep moving forward.

“Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.”                                                               Jim Valvano, NCAA Championship Coach who succumbed to cancer