Dr No - What if I told you that failure is good for you?

"The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition." – Ryan Holiday

Hey lawyer,

This week we’re bringing you Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle Is the Way, that teaches us that obstacles aren’t things to avoid—they are opportunities in disguise.

Key Concept: Perception, Action, and Will

In The Obstacle Is the Way, Holiday draws inspiration from Stoic philosophy to argue that our perception of challenges is often what holds us back. Once we reframe obstacles as opportunities, we can take decisive action and turn setbacks into success.

How GCs Can Implement This:

1. Reframe Problems as Opportunities – The next time a project hits a snag, don’t panic. Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” “Has this problem ocurred FOR something else?" This shift in perspective will help you overcome challenges while staying focused and calm.

   Anecdote: When Thomas Edison’s laboratory burned down, he famously said, “Thank goodness all our mistakes were burned up. Now we can start anew.” Instead of mourning the loss, Edison used it as an opportunity to rebuild with new knowledge.

2. Resilience Builds Success – Instead of avoiding the inevitable bumps in the road, embrace them. Cultivate resilience by focusing on action and determination to solve problems. This mindset will make you unstoppable.

Why This Matters for GCs:

Legal teams that are not afraid to tackle obstacles head-on will be the teams that thrive. By learning to see challenges as opportunities, you’ll create a team that’s innovative, resilient, and ready to adapt to any problem.

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Food for Thought:

What obstacle could you turn into an opportunity to improve your legal team’s processes? How can you convey this idea to your team?

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Best,

Manuel & Rosa