Summary
In this episode of the Best Fails podcast, host Alison Beckles speaks with James Hardie, a former military pilot whose career was transformed by failure. The conversation delves into themes of resilience, identity, and the importance of support systems in overcoming failure. James emphasises the need to plan for potential failures and to learn from both personal and others’ mistakes, ultimately framing failure as a critical part of personal growth and success.
Takeaways
- Failure can lead to transformative career transitions.
- Support from loved ones is crucial during tough times.
- Identifying true friendships can ease the burden of failure.
- Living under the threat of failure can be stressful.
- Reframing identity after failure is essential for growth.
- Resilience can be built through self-awareness and reflection.
- Learning from others’ mistakes can prevent personal failures.
- Planning for failure can help navigate unexpected challenges.
- It’s important to focus on personal well-being and mental health.
- Success is often a bumpy road that includes failure.
Sound Bites
- “I thought it was going to be over.”
- “You can’t dwell on the past.”
- “It’s important to plan for failure.”
Chapters
00:00- James Hardie’s Background and Early Life
03:06- Lessons from Childhood and Early Failures
05:07- Building Friendships and Social Connections
07:20- Fun and Insightful Questions: Fast Friends Game
16:45- Navigating Career Transitions
27:22- The Weight of Expectations
32:31- Reflections on Failure and Growth
39:33- Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
47:14- Building Resilience Through Support and Self-Reflection
48:26- Learning from Failure and Moving Forward
57:34- The Importance of Well-Being and Community Support
James’ Profile
James has spent over 30 years in aviation, beginning as a military and commercial pilot before transitioning into leadership roles focused on delivering technology solutions for the aviation industry. With a background in both operations and strategic management, he’s now a freelance consultant working with companies to create impactful growth and resilient strategies. Drawing on his diverse experiences—including plenty of hard lessons—James believes that failure is a critical part of growth. He’s passionate about helping people unlock their potential, whether through his consulting work, volunteer self-defence teaching, or as a board member for industry and community organisations.
Contact James
email: james@coursecorrection.co.uk
Web: https://Coursecorrection.co.uk
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/james-hardie72
Instagram: @lowheight72
Facebook: /james.hardie.5667
Episode Links
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3fGQRY3MxtwlmfmhMDmkUT?si=p2jNb1epQyG5XUMG3HX-Og