Setbacks can appear in life in so many different forms. In our personal life, they may manifest as financial or health and wellbeing problems, relationship issues, or personal loss. In professional environments, setbacks include not getting a job or promotion that you wanted, not securing a contract with a new client, or simply getting feedback that you find difficult to work with. The umbrella term “setback” is difficult to do justice to in a short article, and for this reason we will look only at setbacks in the business world.
If you’re wondering how to deal with setbacks, it’s likely you’ve already experienced one. Perhaps you’re reflecting on how you’ve previously handled a setback, or you’re in the midst of coping with one now. In jobs in which you might feel like you’re in the minority, it can be difficult to address the nuance of what the setback is in your situation, and why it came about. Women in tech are sure to recognize the highs and lows of their profession, with all the setbacks and advantages that their careers bring. Knowing how to deal with setbacks is the first step to personal professional improvement. Setbacks often get framed as mistakes and dealing with mistakes at work, or a culture of good constructive criticism is still a challenge in most workplaces. Knowing how to overcome a setback on a personal level is helpful for any professional environment, and if you run your own business, you may be able to apply this on a corporate level too.