OVERCOMING ADVERSITY

Some days I feel like the world just got a brand new toolbox filled with various implements of adversity and then, for whatever reason, decided to try them all out on me. I feel beat, hammered, twisted every which way, and generally just screwed. All of us have experienced this. I imagine this is how the management of Toyota is feeling today with all their quality problems. What a disaster to have your core competency undermined by your own actions.

Falling down or being knocked down is as much a part of life as the air we breathe. The challenge is to get up stronger than we were before the fall. Overcoming adversity separates the winners from the losers. Leaders who cannot handle the setbacks are miscast.

Each of us has one obligation in life: Maximize our potential. If we are to be happy we must do this in all areas of our life. The challenges we face help us better understand our potential. Every one of us can handle so much more than we think we can. Our biggest obstacle is not the event but rather us. We think we know our bounds, and in our mind those boundaries define our capabilities and potential. This is not the case. We’ve all overcome adversities that if we had initially known their full scope would have seemed too daunting to even attempt. Yet we overcome. We read about individual and group achievements that amaze us. So often the people are just like us. How do they do it? The truth is all of us can do it. We must dig deep, visualize the goal and put one foot in front of the other.

Whether it’s confronting nature at its worst; a situation thrust upon us that was beyond our control, or an aggressive competitor, the ability to overcome adversity is all about how we react to the situation. It is mental; it is individual-pure and simple. No one can do it for us although we can inspire others to help. This is the challenge that Toyota faces and that all leaders have and will face again.

See adversity for what it is: The ultimate individual growth opportunity. With this mindset we walk away from adversity stronger and better than we ever thought we could be. This is the payback from the pain, distress and frustration. When we reflect on life’s victories they are all about overcoming adversity. These are the memorable moments that demonstrate to us the depth of our abilities. It is about discovery and ultimately happiness.

That toolbox is filled with more than just adversity-it also carries our potential.