Today was a tough day!

We had another "no" from a prospect, and it's starting to make me question whether we're doing the right thing.

We invested a lot of time and energy into understanding this company's unique organizational and institutional issues surrounding human performance development. We thought we had a great understanding of their needs, but they ultimately decided not to go with us.

I'm frustrated for a few reasons.

First, every "no" means less money for our company, which means less money for the people who work here.

Second, I know that our team would be a great fit for this company. We have the expertise and experience they need, and we're passionate about helping them succeed.

But ultimately, I'm most frustrated because I feel like I let my team down. I'm the one who's responsible for closing deals, and I didn't do my job today.

As a leader, this is important to understand.

You're responsible to those you serve.

You work for them, not the other way around.

That means always putting their needs first. It means being kind, being human, and being the person who got you to where you are today.

It means being the leader that your people deserve.

I'm going to take some time to reflect on this experience and learn from it. I know that I can be a better leader, and I'm committed to doing whatever it takes to help my team succeed.