From Failure to Feedback: Shifting Your Mindset for Growth

When I first started my business in 2022, every setback felt personal. A missed opportunity, a “no” from a client, even a workshop that didn’t go the way I meticulously planned in my head — all of it felt like confirmation that maybe I wasn’t cut out for this lifestyle.

But somewhere between my third pivot and my hundredth self-doubt, a wise mentor gave me advice I’ll never forget:

“Failure doesn’t mean final. It means feedback.”

That single shift in perspective completely changed the way I show up — not only as an entrepreneur, but as a leader and coach. Instead of seeing failure as the end of the story, I began asking myself a new question:

| What is this moment here to teach me?

Here are a few mindset shifts that helped me reframe failure into feedback:

1. Failure isn’t proof of inadequacy — it’s proof you tried.

The only people who never fail are the ones who never step outside their comfort zone. Every setback is evidence that you were brave enough to take a shot.

2. Failure gives you data you can’t get any other way.

No podcast, leadership book, or seminar will teach you what your own trial and error can. Every “no” is information about what to tweak, what to double down on, and what to let go of.

3. Failure makes you more adaptable.

Setbacks force you to build resilience, creativity, and problem-solving muscles. Leaders who embrace failure as feedback are often the ones best equipped to navigate uncertainty.

4. Failure doesn’t define you — your response does.

What matters most is how you get up, reflect, and apply the lesson. That’s what separates leaders who stay stuck from those who grow forward.

The next time you hit a wall, try shifting the question from “Why did it fail?” to “What is this feedback showing me?” The answer might just be the lesson you needed to build your next bigger win.

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Soft Girls Don’t Build Empires: Redefining Balance in Leadership and Business

We’ve all been sold the glossy image of “work-life balance.” The hard stop at 5:01, the weekends free of emails, the perfect morning routine with green juice and yoga before a 10 am meeting. For a long time that notion is how I believed I would build my business… or so I thought.

But the hard truth I learned is: soft girls don’t build empires.

When I first stepped into entrepreneurship, I thought balance meant protecting my time at all costs. I told myself no late calls, no weekend work, no bending on boundaries. That philosophy cost me — in money, in opportunities, and in wasted energy. Because when you’re building something from nothing, all you really have to offer is your time.

And the same is true in leadership. Balance doesn’t always look like neat 40-hour weeks and tidy boundaries. Leading a team often means being available when people need you, not just when it’s convenient. It’s not about being on all the time but rather how to be adaptable.

Sometimes balance isn’t spread evenly across your week; sometimes it shows up in pockets. As a late-night brainstorming session balanced by a slow morning. A weekend client call balanced by a midweek afternoon off. True balance is less about the clock and more about anchoring yourself in routines and rituals that bring you back to center.

Here are a few mindset shifts that changed the way I see balance in both leadership and entrepreneurship:

1. Balance happens over seasons, not hours.

Some weeks will demand more of you than others. Give yourself permission to lean into the grind — and then lean back into rest when the season shifts.

2. Time is your currency. Spend it wisely.

In business, your time is often the most valuable thing you can give. In leadership, your presence is what people value most. It’s not about protecting every hour, but about investing your energy where it matters most.

3. Balance is found in what you’re working on, not when.

It’s better to be all-in on meaningful work at 9 PM than to drag through something soul-crushing at 2 PM. Alignment > schedule.

4. Routines are your reset button.

When everything feels chaotic, the rituals you return to — journaling, prayer, exercise, even a simple walk — bring you back to yourself and remind you why you’re doing the work.

Building a business or leading a team will never look like the perfect Instagram version of balance. But when you shift your definition, you stop chasing an ideal and start embracing the real.

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Leadership in Real Life: 5 Lessons They Don’t Teach You in School

There are a lot of books, podcasts, and leadership seminars out there telling you how to be a great leader. What they don’t always prepare you for is the real-life stuff; the awkward convos, the quiet doubt, the “I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m doing it anyway” moments.

I’ve worn a lot of hats in my career, school social worker, entrepreneur, facilitator, and coach. And across all those spaces, the biggest lessons I’ve learned about leadership didn’t come from a training. They came from lived experience.

So if you’ve ever felt like leadership should come with a real-world manual, here are 5 things they don’t teach you in school…but absolutely should:

1. You won’t always feel like a leader—and that’s okay.

Imposter syndrome doesn’t check your title. There have been plenty of times I’ve led a workshop or launched a project while secretly wondering if I was qualified to be in the room.

Here’s the truth: Leadership is a practice, not a personality trait. It’s built in the moments you show up anyway, not the ones where you have it all figured out.

2. Emotional intelligence will take you further than strategy.

I’ve seen leaders derail teams with a perfect plan but no people skills. I’ve also seen women transform spaces by listening deeply, responding with empathy, and making people feel seen.

Whether I was working with high school students or adult professionals, the leaders people remember are the ones who connect; not the ones who control.

3. You will outgrow some rooms.

This one stings a bit. As a consultant and founder, I’ve learned that not every room is meant to keep you—and not every opportunity is aligned with your growth.

Part of real leadership is knowing when to advocate for a seat at the table… and when to build your own.

4. Rest is part of the work.

Let me say that again for the overachievers in the back: Rest is part of the work.
Burnout doesn’t make you noble. It makes you resentful. Some of my most powerful ideas came after a walk, a nap, or a season of slowing down.

Leadership isn’t about running yourself into the ground—it’s about leading in a way that’s sustainable for you. Find Balance over Burnout

5. The best leaders create space for others to lead.

Whether I’m mentoring high school girls through Girls INSPIRE or guiding a leadership team during a workshop, I remind myself: My job isn’t to be the loudest in the room.

It’s to create a space where others can step into their voice. That’s the real legacy—building more leaders, not followers.

Final Thoughts

Leadership in real life is messy, courageous, and evolving. It’s less about always being confident and more about staying committed. And if no one’s told you lately, you’re doing better than you think.

Keep learning out loud.

5 Leadership Shifts That Change Everything; Especially for Women Who Lead Differently

Don’t wait for the perfect moment to start, start and make it perfect as you go.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about trusting your voice, leading with intention, and choosing growth over perfection.

Whether you're a school leader, program director, or founder navigating your next chapter, here are 5) leadership shifts that can transform the way you lead:

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1. From Perfectionism → To Progress

You don’t need to get it “right” every time. Leadership is iterative; give yourself permission to learn publicly and pivot gracefully. In doing so, you’ll teach others to do the same.

2. From People-Pleasing → To Boundaries with Care

Empathy is powerful, but it’s not your job to be everything for everyone. Boundaries protect your energy so you can lead sustainably.

3. From Control → To Collaboration

The best leaders don’t hold it all, they build systems, delegate, and trust their teams. Shared leadership grows stronger, more efficient teams.

4. From Hustle → To Alignment

Rest is a leadership strategy. When you operate from alignment (not exhaustion), your decisions become sharper and more intentional.

5. From Doubt → To Self-Trust

Imposter syndrome will show up. That doesn’t mean you’re unqualified; it means you’re growing. Self-trust & Self-awareness are the foundation of every bold move.

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At Cice Consulting, we coach professionals and organizations through these mindset shifts every day. If you're navigating a transition, leading a new team, or just feeling stuck, you're not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out solo. Click the button below and schedule a free consultation.