Setbacks are inevitable when delivering change. It is important to expect them and not fear them.

👉 Emotions - Setbacks are often accompanied by strong emotions, which can take time to process. People process emotions through a combination of internalizing and vocalizing them. Being aware of how you and your team members behave will help you recognize what is happening and give the necessary space for emotions to subside.

👉 Use Facts and Data - Emotions are human and necessary. They provide us with drive, focus, and meaningful relationships. However, emotional decisions in a business environment are not always the best. Facts and data are needed. With this in hand, emotions will often subside, and the way forward becomes clear.

👉 Resilience - Being able to recover quickly from a difficult situation may not come naturally, but it can be learned. Setting yourself a challenging goal outside of work can often have the hidden benefit of generating resilience in work.

👉 Look for Reasons - Setbacks have a variety of root causes. Seeking to understand these through feedback, conversation, or simple observation will always provide insight that will build individual and team experience.

👉 Perspective - Will this setback matter in a year's time? The here and now cannot be avoided, but where does it sit when considered in the context of a longer-term vision? How important is it to that vision, or is it just a bump in the road?

One question that can be asked is "what does this now make possible" this turns the thought process around and makes it easier to find creative ways forward.

Do you ever ask that?