Upsets Happen – Learning From March Madness For Your Leadership Success

By Jillian Broaddus and Chuck Cusumano

We’re in the midst of March Madness, and the upsets have already come (as they always do!).

It’s estimated that there are approximately 8 upsets every year, which attributes to why no one in history has EVER completed a perfect bracket.  After all, if everything went according to plan, it’d be pretty easy to succeed, and betting companies would be entirely out of business.

Of course, we know this is far from the case. 

However, when upsets happen in our own lives and businesses, we often seem to forget that upsets are normal.  Almost predictable, at one point or another.  Mistakes happen.  Meetings and projects, days and even weeks don’t go according to plan. 

It’s time to reframe our thinking to remember that just like in the country’s debatably biggest basketball tournament – upsets happen!  What matters isn’t that you lost; it’s how you handle it, what you learn, and what you choose to do as you move forward. 

Here are our best tips for what to do when you encounter your next upset, in work or in life:

1. Reflect – While you might not have tapes to play back to review every move, pivot, and shot, you can take note of the sequence of events that led you to your end point.  What did you do right?  Where did you go wrong?  Were there warning signs along the path that you ignored?  What did you learn to incorporate for next time? 

2. Rest – As we mentioned on another recent blog, rest can be just what you and/or your team needs to come back stronger than ever.  Burnout, stress, and pressure can be a dangerous combination, and can lead to an upset all on their own, even if you’re otherwise prepared!  So, how can a period of rest lead you to be your best?

3. Rebound – Teams get a new chance every year to come back and fight for the championship title.  Take notes for your own life and leadership, and put yourself back out there.  Don’t let a loss or failure feel like a dead end; treat it as a hurdle to overcome as you stay on the road to success.

We hope your bracket is doing well!  While we may not be much help on that front, we can help you or your organization overcome a past or future upset.  Just reach out to us at hello@thejoshuagroup.net to talk more!