Pinnacle Leaders Podcast: How Mature Leaders Learn from Wins & Losses (Part I)

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ABOUT THE EPISODE

As leaders, we’re predisposed to celebrating our wins and hiding our losses. However, there is often significant value in what we call “failure” if we approach it correctly. In this episode of the Pinnacle Leaders Podcast, Dr. Randal Langley and his wife and ministry partner of more than 30 years, Laurie Langley, discuss the importance of learning from our mistakes and allowing others to benefit from them, too.

ABOUT DR. RANDAL S. LANGLEY

Dr. Randal S. Langley is the President and CEO of Christian Life School of Theology Global (CLSTG), a world leader in theological and leadership education solutions for churches, ministries and other organizations. A visionary leader and dynamic communicator, Dr. Langley serves as a guest-speaker and provides leadership strategy/counsel for ministries and other organizations across the U.S. and internationally. As part of his commitment to helping people achieve their God-given purpose, Dr. Langley is also a founding partner and certified life coach, teacher, and trainer for the John C. Maxwell Team.

ABOUT REV. LAURIE LANGLEY

Having more than two decades of experience in leading and developing people and teams, Laurie Langley is passionately committed to the values of integrity and follow-through. From a position of being a lifelong learner, Laurie is recognized as a highly capable communicator, an organization and proficiency professional, and is trained and seasoned in outcome management. In addition to the business skills she has developed over the years, Laurie is passionate about sharing hope, living in peace, and her belief in the power of kindness.

EPISODE OVERVIEW

There’s a stigma attached to failure, but as a leader, you should never ignore your missteps or try to cover them up. If you don’t talk about your losses, you lose your ability to connect with people, and they miss out on the opportunity to learn from you.

Life is not a linear experience, and we should not be ashamed of taking an occasional step back. It’s like climbing a mountain: Climbers experience acclimatization, which is the process of becoming accustomed to a new climate and thinner air at higher altitudes. They will hike for a day or two, come back down and repeat the process, each time going a little higher. The goal is to reach the top of the mountain, but it is not a linear ascent. As a leader, taking a step back can propel you forward with strategic purpose. You won’t be able to survive at the top unless you have had time to acclimate to your surroundings.

If you are feeling stuck or you’re in a season of transition, pause and do some spiritual reflection. God may be bringing you to a place of instruction and preparation for the next season. Don’t allow the ebbs and flows of life to discourage you. Instead, lean into those quiet moments with the Lord, and let him refresh you for what’s to come.

Subscribe to the Pinnacle Leaders Podcast with Dr. Langley to listen to this episode and others for more Biblical wisdom on the areas of lordship, leadership and lifestyle.

RELATED RESOURCES

• The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (PT511) – This course focuses on the study and application of the 21 laws of leadership as defined and written by Dr. John Maxwell. Gain a thorough knowledge of each of the 21 laws and be exposed to questions that challenge current systems of application. Clear, practical, and life-changing, this course is a wealth of practical insights on what it takes to be an effective leader.
• Dynamics of Effective Communication (PT340) – Effective communication changes lives and launches people into action! For those serving in ministry or the marketplace, the ability to communicate and speak effectively is directly connected to your success. In this course, Dr. Randal Langley teaches the SCORRE method of communication logic used by many of today’s successful leaders and speakers.

QUOTES & SCRIPTURE TO REMEMBER

• “Wise leaders learn from the mistakes of others because you can’t possibly live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself.” — Dr. Randal S. Langley
• “If you cash in on the failure, there’s a way to redeem it. Then it’s not really a failure; it’s a growth moment.” — Rev. Laurie Langley
• “Sometimes we go forward, and sometimes we go back. And both of those are good.” — Dr. Randal S. Langley
• “You have to squeeze the good out of what feels like backward movement.” — Rev. Laurie Langley
• “Your capacity to grow determines your capacity to lead.” — Mark Miller, Vice President of High-Performance Leadership, Chick-fil-A