5 Major Life Events Which Can Make You a Stronger Leader

Daily experiences, especially those which are difficult, can teach you valuable lessons that help you grow and succeed.

This article was originally published on Inc.com.

Not only do challenges in life make you more resilient, but they have the potential to set you up for success. Showing up, no matter what battles you endure exhibits perseverance and strength. These qualities are essential to being a strong manager or business owner.

Here are five life-changing challenges which help you grow exercise your leadership muscle.

Illness

Coping with an illness gives you an opportunity to build your emotional resilience and spiritual endurance. Staying optimistic when the prognosis is poor takes effort. It’s a time to figure out how to optimistically navigate life with a new normal. Talking about your illness encourages conversation among family, friends and peers which may help them with their own struggles. 

Loss of a Someone You Love

Losing a loved one can force you to go back to the simple message of living life to the fullest. Loss comes in many different forms: death, divorce or growing apart. There are many ways to grieve which often requires introspection, communication, empathy and forgiveness. Circumstances vary from one loss to another but moving forward in a positive direction is the key to your peace and future happiness.

Failure

One of my favorite quotes is, “Sometimes you win, and sometimes you learn.” Many entrepreneurs are where they are today because of the lessons they learned through failure. Henry Ford went bankrupt several times before owning a successful motor company. Overcoming obstacles and taking risks are key traits of a leader.

Betrayal of a Friend

Friends can be your greatest supporters, but it’s often hard to forgive when things go south. Maybe someone you trusted did something out of character which led to the termination of your friendship. Like any life challenge, there’s room to grow from the experience. Moving on with grace is the next right step. Stay positive and surround yourself with trusted companions. There is a season for everything – hold onto the good and let go of the rest.

Shattered Dreams

Perhaps your business plans fell through or you were passed over for the promotion you were expecting. You may ask yourself why this situation turned out the way it did. Refusing to let a shattered dream stop you from striving for something better is a commendable quality. Bouncing back after working endlessly demonstrates what you are made of – grit and tenacity. Determination is a crucial factor which separates the alpha from the rest of the pack.

For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, you may enjoy Follow the Leader. Read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on HuffPost, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.