Nove mber 16, 2008
Q. Do you have any advice about losing gracefully? The recent elections saw many surprises and some people lost who didn’t expect to.
A: John McCain gave one of the best concession speeches yet. He put himself aside and focused on his love for his country. That was one of his main campaign themes, and he returned to it in defeat. He was sincerely gracious in his comments about Obama and the need for all citizens to support the new president-elect. He performed like a statesman, not a loser.
His speech is an example of how to rise above a great disappointment. Rather than wallow in self-pity or give in to the temptation to blame others, use the situation to position yourself for the future. Express gratitude for the chances you had and the lessons you learned, thank the people who helped you along the way, and convey optimism that the right opportunity is ahead.
Whether it’s losing an election or a job, focus on the positive aspects of the experience and communicate those to one and all. When a close colleague left a blue ribbon company to start her own consulting business and people wondered why, she said: “It was a great place to be and it’s a great place to be from.”
Need advice? Send your situations to Dome.
Paula Blanchard Stone and Patty McCarthy are partners in McCarthyBlanchard, an executive training firm specializing in key message development, presentation skills training, media interview training and executive presence. Copyright © 2008 McCarthy Blanchard. | Website
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