Leadership Tea

Failure Isn't Final: Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks | S4 EP17


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A layoff can feel like a verdict. We treat it as a turning point. In this candid conversation, we unpack what it means to “fail forward” when the spotlight is brightest and the Sunday Scaries won’t quit. 

Shelby shares the raw aftermath of being laid off from a high-profile role and the unexpected freedom that came from choosing silence, setting boundaries, and designing a schedule that serves her. 

Belinda digs into the shame loop many leaders fall into, why scapegoating thrives in political environments, and how reframing misalignment can restore agency and momentum.

Two questions anchor this episode: Who can you trust, and what are you willing to tolerate? Whether you’re processing a layoff, questioning a misaligned role, or trying to end the Sunday Scaries, these strategies help you regain control of your time, your message, and your outcomes. 

If this resonates, subscribe, share the episode with a colleague who needs it, and leave a review so more leaders can find us. Then tell us: what boundary are you setting this week?

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Leadership TeaBy Shelby Smith-Wilson and Belinda Jackson Farrier

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