Last updated on Jul 19, 2024

Here's how you can improve your performance as a public administrator after experiencing failure.

As a public administrator, facing failure can be a daunting experience. However, it's an inevitable part of the job that can lead to significant personal and professional growth. Whether you're grappling with a failed project, policy, or initiative, the key is to use the setback as a stepping stone to enhance your performance. By reflecting on the experience, engaging with stakeholders, adapting your strategies, and maintaining resilience, you can emerge stronger and more effective in your role. Let's explore some actionable steps to help you bounce back from failure and excel in the field of public administration.

1 Reflect Deeply

After a setback, take time to reflect on what went wrong and why. Engage in a thorough analysis of the failure without assigning blame. Consider factors like planning, execution, and external influences. This introspective process allows you to identify mistakes and learn from them. It's crucial to maintain a balanced perspective; while being critical of your actions, also acknowledge what was beyond your control. Reflection paves the way for making informed decisions in the future and prevents the repetition of past errors.

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Luis Alcubierre

Senior Corporate Affairs and Communications Director | C-Level | Advisor | Entrepreneur | Crises Manager | Social Behavior Analyst | High-Performance Team Builder | Troubleshooter | Speaker | Mentor | Mediator
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Analisar detalhadamente os fatores que contribuíram para a falha, identificar os erros cometidos e entender as consequências das ações tomadas são passos fundamentais. Essa reflexão deve ser honesta e profunda, permitindo que você aprenda com a experiência e evite repetir os mesmos erros no futuro.

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2 Seek Feedback

Engaging with colleagues, mentors, and stakeholders to gather feedback is invaluable. They can provide perspectives that you may have overlooked and offer constructive criticism. When seeking feedback, approach conversations with openness and a genuine desire to improve. This collaborative effort not only helps you understand different facets of the failure but also strengthens relationships and builds trust within your network.

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Luis Alcubierre

Senior Corporate Affairs and Communications Director | C-Level | Advisor | Entrepreneur | Crises Manager | Social Behavior Analyst | High-Performance Team Builder | Troubleshooter | Speaker | Mentor | Mediator
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Buscar feedback é outra estratégia que não pode ser deixada de lado. Solicitar opiniões e sugestões de colegas, superiores e até mesmo da comunidade pode fornecer insights valiosos sobre o que deu errado e como melhorar. O feedback deve ser recebido de forma construtiva, com a mente aberta para críticas e sugestões. Essa prática não só ajuda a identificar pontos cegos, mas também demonstra um compromisso com a transparência e a melhoria contínua.

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3 Adjust Plans

Based on your reflections and feedback, it's time to adjust your plans. Identify alternative approaches and strategies that could lead to better outcomes. Be flexible and willing to experiment with new methods. Adjusting plans might involve revising goals, timelines, or resources. Remember, effective public administration requires adaptability; don't hesitate to pivot when necessary to achieve your objectives.

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Jean-Baptiste Manenti

Responsable des relations avec les élus et les organisations territoriales du Conseil National du Numerique (CNNum)
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L'échec doit nécessairement être analysé ; identifier ses causes permet d'ajuster le dispositif mis en œuvre et de rectifier ses faiblesses, voire de relancer une réflexion sur ses objectifs. En tout état de cause, il ne faut jamais mettre un échec de côté, mais s’évertuer à en tirer le plus de leçons.

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4 Enhance Skills

Consider if there are any skills or knowledge gaps that contributed to the failure. Pursuing professional development through courses, workshops, or self-study can equip you with the tools needed to tackle similar challenges in the future. Enhancing your skills not only improves your competency but also boosts your confidence as a public administrator.

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Subedar Badri Nath Singh (Retd)

Over 30 years of dedicated service in the Army Medical Corps. Highly skilled in leadership, strategic planning, Gen Management, Administration & Hospital management, lead and motivate teams in high-pressure environments.
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Evaluate ourselves and enhance my skills will improve my competency and also boosts my confidence as a public administrator. Adjust my plans. Identify alternative approaches and strategies

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5 Engage Community

Remember that public administration is about serving the community. Engage with the people affected by your initiatives to gain insights and build rapport. This engagement can provide valuable feedback and foster a sense of shared ownership over public projects. By involving the community in the problem-solving process, you can develop more effective and inclusive solutions.

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Luis Alcubierre

Senior Corporate Affairs and Communications Director | C-Level | Advisor | Entrepreneur | Crises Manager | Social Behavior Analyst | High-Performance Team Builder | Troubleshooter | Speaker | Mentor | Mediator
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Envolver a comunidade no processo de recuperação é igualmente importante. Manter um diálogo aberto com os cidadãos, explicando o que aconteceu e quais medidas estão sendo tomadas para corrigir a situação, pode ajudar a reconstruir a confiança. Além disso, a participação ativa da comunidade na busca por soluções pode trazer novas ideias e fortalecer o senso de responsabilidade compartilhada. Essa abordagem colaborativa promove um ambiente mais inclusivo e resiliente, beneficiando a administração pública como um todo.

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6 Maintain Resilience

Lastly, it's essential to maintain resilience. Setbacks are part of the journey, and how you respond to them defines your path forward. Stay committed to your public service mission and keep a long-term perspective. Resilience will help you navigate future challenges with strength and grace, ultimately leading to improved performance in your role as a public administrator.

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Juan Monroy Peñuela

Politólogo
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Sin embargo, no debe confundirse resiliencia con naturalización de pautas agresivas, procesos confusos y la aceptación de prácticas poco transparentes. La resiliciencia no es igual a soportar abusos; implica adaptarse de manera adecuada al entorno.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Jean-Baptiste Manenti

Responsable des relations avec les élus et les organisations territoriales du Conseil National du Numerique (CNNum)
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Il faut penser et introduire une vraie "culture de l'échec" au sein de son organisation, afin de valoriser les processus d'apprentissage fondés sur une logique "essai et erreur". Ne pas le faire et sanctionner systématiquement les échecs sans en tirer de leçons peut favoriser l'immobilisme et inhiber la prise d'initiatives.

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Here's how you can improve your performance as a public administrator after experiencing failure.

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1 Reflect Deeply

2 Seek Feedback

3 Adjust Plans

4 Enhance Skills

5 Engage Community

6 Maintain Resilience

7 Here’s what else to consider

Public Administration

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