Why Failing Is The Key To Your Success

Why Failing Is The Key To Your Success Failure shouldnt be a dirty word, acclaimed journalistJessica Bennetttold a crowd on Wednesday (June 21) at Ellevate Networks first-ever annual summit.The events objective to mobilize the power of women sparked a whole lot of kickass convos between some of the brightest minds in business and diversity and inclusion, among them Bennett, whos a contributing writer atThe New York Timesand the author of Feminist Fight ClubSallie Krawcheck,CEO and co-founder of digital investment platform Ellevest and chair ofEllevate Network Wade Davis, a diversity and inclusion consultant and former NFL player and Fairygodboss Co-Founder Romy Newman.One of the key themes of the day wassmashing the patriarchythat holds womenandmen back and parte of that process involves breaking down the stigma that comes with failure. Women tend to avoid failure mora than men, Bennett explained, but you have to take risks in order to succeed. Somewhere along the way we have to b e able to face failure. Failure is bedrngnis going to define you.Teaching failure for the purpose of success may sound like an oxymoron, but Bennett whose book, in her own words, is an office survival manual for a chauvi workplace says its necessary if we want to break down thepatriarchal system. In fact, she said recognizing the fact that women tend to internalize failure more than men do has helped her in her own life, and she suggests all women work on getting to a place where failure doesnt seem quite so terrifying, but rather a necessary step in moving forward.Wade Davis, who also emphasized the importance of accepting failure, said that we all men, women, and young girls alike should read as much as we can about other women who have not just succeeded but also failed. He spoke openly about his own efforts to smash the patriarchy and said that as a man, part of that process has involved owning his own struggles and even learning to say the wordpatriarchy. Its a system thats actively trying to destroy women and destroy me, he said, yet people so often shy away from using the word. Davis offered some advice for men who might be struggling to overcome unconscious biases and sexism women cannot emasculate us, he explained. We can only emasculate ourselves and until we learn that, we will never be able to be equal partners. This idea that unless Im being seen as a provider Im not a real man is one that men are locating within themselves, Davis said.Nellie Borrero, Senior Global Inclusion Diversity Managing Director atAccenture, added one way that companies can confront patriarchy is to not only set abstract goals, but to set metrics around those goals.We have a leadership team at Accenture where there is no room to tolerate any behavior that we will not be proud of, she explained, adding that Accenture first became a proponent of diversity and inclusion in the workplace years ago when it was thenicething to do. It then became therightthing to do and the n the business case evolved. The business case is clear that its going to help organizations get to a better place. She specified that when leaders at the top put metrics and goals around this,thatswhen real change and progress tends to occur.And Accenture is not just talking the talk. Theyre all about setting deliberate goals and metrics they recently announced, for example, that they wanthalf their workforce to be women by 2025. That accountability piece right there is a game changer, Borrero said. It is everyones responsibility to create this inclusive culture.Fairygodboss Co-Founder Romy Newman suggested that thereissome good news among all this talk of inequality. Companieswantto hire more women, she explained, either because theyre enlightened like Accenture or because of the drain of talent. If youre a talented woman, you are a valuable commodity.Fairygodboss is committed to improving the workplace and lives of women.Join us by reviewing your employer