Last updated on Sep 16, 2024

What do you do if you're a Servant Leader facing career setbacks?

If you're a Servant Leader, you know that your role is to empower, support, and inspire others to achieve their goals and fulfill their potential. But what happens when you face career setbacks, such as a layoff, a demotion, or a failed project? How do you cope with the challenges and maintain your servant leadership style? Here are some tips to help you navigate through difficult times and emerge stronger and more resilient.

1 Acknowledge your emotions

Career setbacks can trigger a range of emotions, such as anger, frustration, sadness, fear, or guilt. It's normal and healthy to feel these emotions, but don't let them overwhelm you or cloud your judgment. Acknowledge your feelings, but don't dwell on them or blame yourself or others. Instead, focus on what you can control and what you can learn from the situation. Use positive affirmations, gratitude, and self-compassion to boost your confidence and morale.

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Dr.Abraham Vuamaiku

X ray Technician and Computer at St Dominic Basic Health Services
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One thing I found useful is this that balancing your emotions well is key to use it for your motion into forward or backwards progression in your career. Most of our realities are created first invisible property before it's reality comes into existence. So the person you is in your emotions balance it well to create real YOU for service.

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2 Seek feedback and support

One of the characteristics of a Servant Leader is the willingness to seek feedback and learn from others. Don't isolate yourself or hide your problems from your peers, mentors, or coaches. Reach out to them and ask for their honest and constructive feedback on your performance, strengths, and areas for improvement. Listen to their perspectives and advice, and thank them for their support. You can also seek professional help from a counselor or a career coach if you need more guidance or emotional support.

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Faz Fazal

Managing Partner @ Riley Cameron | Building People, Teams & Cultures™ | Executive Search Leader | Talent Acquisition Expert | Trusted Advisor
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From my experience and observations of the best Servant Leaders; the common trait they all share is a passion for Continuous Improvement. With this in mind, the best Servant Leaders tend to deal with career setbacks successfully by not being afraid in pro-actively seeking constructive feedback - regardless of the stakeholder group. Using the setback as an opportunity to focus on their own learning & development. Often Servant Leaders are consumed in serving others; a potential negative being that their own development gets neglected. Those successfully managing career setbacks tend to have high EQ with the innate ability to manage their own emotions effectively through the highs and lows of their own career journey.

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3 Explore new opportunities

Career setbacks can also be opportunities for growth and change. Instead of seeing them as failures or dead ends, see them as chances to explore new possibilities and discover new passions. Think about your career goals, values, and interests, and how they align with your current or desired role. Identify the skills, knowledge, and experience you need to achieve them, and look for ways to acquire them. You can enroll in online courses, attend webinars, read books, join professional networks, or volunteer for projects that interest you.

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4 Reconnect with your purpose

As a Servant Leader, you have a clear sense of purpose and vision that guides your actions and decisions. When you face career setbacks, it's important to reconnect with your purpose and remind yourself why you do what you do. Think about the impact you want to make, the people you want to serve, and the values you want to uphold. Write down your personal mission statement and review it regularly. Align your actions with your purpose and seek opportunities that match your vision.

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5 Keep serving others

One of the best ways to cope with career setbacks is to keep serving others and contributing to their success and well-being. As a Servant Leader, you have the skills and the mindset to make a positive difference in the lives of others, whether they are your colleagues, customers, or community members. Find ways to use your talents, resources, and time to help others achieve their goals, overcome their challenges, or improve their situations. By serving others, you will also enhance your own skills, network, and reputation.

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6 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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Chiek Ming Ong

Leadership & Career Coach |Facilitator & Trainer | LHH & Ezra
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setbacks is part of our growth journey. Acknowledge and learn. In the midst of any setbacks, do not loose our values and purpose. Keep serving where you have been put; it is the testimony of who you are in good times and not so good times that allow others to see what type of leader you are. Hold on to the Accountability vested upon you; we can be disappointed with the cause of events. Setbacks do not define us; how we respond despite the setbacks define the values and characteristics we represent.

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What do you do if you're a Servant Leader facing career setbacks?

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2

3

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1 Acknowledge your emotions

2 Seek feedback and support

3 Explore new opportunities

4 Reconnect with your purpose

5 Keep serving others

6 Here’s what else to consider

Servant Leadership

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What do you do if you're a Servant Leader facing career setbacks?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Acknowledge your emotions

2 Seek feedback and support

3 Explore new opportunities

4 Reconnect with your purpose

5 Keep serving others

6 Here’s what else to consider

Servant Leadership

Rate this article

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