An Unsuccessful Event Doesn't Make You Failure

Many individuals tend to avoid leadership because of their fear of failure. Too many times, individuals internalize less than stellar results, often confusing the success or failure of an event with the person being a success or failure. As Zig Ziglar wrote, "Remember that failure is a result, not a person." Events often can turn out differently than they are planned, through no fault of an individual. While the event might fail, it doesn't make the chair of the event a failure as a person, but merely the chair of an event that did not succeed. Many factors are involved in the success of an event, and there are often even more perceptions of what may or may not be a success or a failure.

1. If someone decides to organize or chair an event, he must first undergo an attitude adjustment. He must place himself in a mind set where he is self confident rather than overly introspective. Unfortunately, too many people wallow in a sort of self pity, and when confronted by the eventual criticism (which invariably occurs), take the criticism far too personal. If someone has done all he could do, that is all anyone should ever expect.

2. The eventual success of an event is generally dependent on comprehensive planning. This planning must include numerous back- up plans (or contingency plans), so that changes can be made "on the fly" as necessary. Having professionally coordinated and planned events for over thirty years, I firmly believe that the planner, leader, or organizer must contemplate all details, including marketing (to attract attendance, thus providing some economies of scale), perceived and actual value (derived from professional negotiations of every aspect of the event), lining up helpers and volunteers for both prior to and during the event, etc.

3. An event organizer must be aware of the fact that you can never please everyone, and that he who tries to "serve too many masters" generally offends all and pleases none. The organizer must effectively listen to advice, but have a clear cut vision of what the event needs to accomplish, and what "little details" he wants to add to personally tweak this specific event.

4. Always remember that "Things happen," and sometimes, despite all the best efforts and diligent work, an event is not successful. While it is normal to feel badly because one has committed so much time and effort, and not gotten the results desired, it is important not to "beat yourself up," if you believe you have done your best, and done everything that you could do.

While events can be more or less successful, or "bomb," if the organizer has done what is necessary, and something beyond his control was the reason for the failure, he must understand that while the event may have failed, that is not a personal reflection on him. The most successful individuals face adversity, and come away stronger and better, and far more successful in the future.