If you want the seat, you have to survive the heat!

 

Do you see Rejection as Your Best Teacher? or as a failure?

Let me share my story with you if you see it as a failure. Ready.....

Early in my career, I was tasked with summarizing 500 customer feedback surveys into a 1-page for the Executive Team. 
This was long before AI. 
I failed. 
Again. And again. 

My leader rejected my work 45 times. 
On the 46th attempt, he finally smiled. 
He told me "I wasn't testing your content; I was testing your patience."

From Visibility to Credibility, you must develop the resilience to advocate for what is right, even when the room says no.

As a newly promoted leader or a professional, you might develop the psychological pressure that hits you the moment you are visible. You feel like you don't belong in the seat because you might think rejection or correction is failure.

So, let's build the Credibility Muscle together with these actionable strategies:

1. Practice "The 46th Draft" Mindset: When your work is critiqued, don't take it personally. View it as a stress test for your ideas. If the evidence says your proposal is right for the stakeholders and the community, have the patience to refine the message until it lands. 
2. Seek "High-Frequency" Feedback: Don't wait for the big presentation. Build credibility in the "small moments." Check in with stakeholders early and often so that by the time you reach the boardroom, your alignment is already established. 
3. Reframe "Scrutiny" as Investment: If a leader is pushing you hard, like my mentor did, it’s because they see a Senior Leader or high-potential in you. They are helping you build the muscle to handle the tight deadlines and high stakes of the next level.

👉What was your "45 rejections" moment? Share your story of perseverance in the comments!

👋Before you go...

If you are seeking direction, clarity, or a fresh start…

we’d love to connect with you.

👉 topmate.io/friends4life