After a Rough Start, I Needed a “Do-Over”
I had one job to do. Introduce the video and hit the play button. How hard could that be?
While visiting Mukurweini, Kenya, I was asked to share leadership training with about 25 leaders—probation officers, community leaders, politicians, and pastors. Diverse group, but they had one thing in common: They were hungry to learn.
A couple of days before the event, I tested the online leadership content I planned to share. Still nothing.
The night before the event, I was still fighting with the technology. Customer support couldn't resolve it, so I found other leadership content I could access. It wasn't what I originally planned, but it was good. I went to bed exhausted, but with a plan.
The next morning, we arrived at the conference center. The internet was strong and the projector worked. Four leadership videos were queued up. We were ready.
As I was being introduced, I noticed a little message pop up on my laptop: “Critical updates and reboot to take place in 15 minutes.” I hit “postpone.”
A few minutes later: “Critical updates and reboot to take place in 10 minutes.” Postpone.
A few minutes into the first 20-minute leadership video: “Critical updates and reboot to take place in 5 minutes.” Postpone!
Five minutes later: REBOOT.
Right in the middle of an inspiring story about the first female F-14 fighter pilot, my laptop shut down. I was scrambling.
I apologized and asked what they had taken away so far.
Silence.
Then one of the leaders spoke up. “You need to slow down. We are having a hard time understanding you.”
Ouch! But also…exactly what I needed to hear.
I'd been so focused on content, technology, and making everything go according to plan that I'd missed something more important.
The people in front of me.
English wasn't the first language for many of them. I needed to slow down, listen more, and ask better questions. I'd forgotten the purpose was to connect with people.
I asked for a few minutes to reset. My friend Cliff entertained the crowd while I got everything running again.
And then…I got a Do-Over.
This time, I slowed down and leaned into curiosity. After each video, I asked questions and engaged with every person.
And something changed. The technology eventually worked. More importantly, the people connection worked. I came expecting to teach 25 leaders. Instead, I became the student.
Sometimes the most valuable feedback is someone brave enough to say, “You need to slow down.” Sometimes grace is an audience willing to give you another chance.
Leadership requires vulnerability, a willingness to hear the hard thing, and enough humility to say: “You're right. Let me try that again.”
Maybe you need a Do-Over today.
With your team.
With your business.
With your family.
With yourself.
Don't fear feedback, and don't underestimate the power of grace and a chance to try again.
Sometimes the best leadership lesson is the one that happens after you mess up.
Rusty Fulling