Five Public Figures Who Failed First

As much as we hate to admit it, success is rarely achieved without a fair dose of failure along the way. When taking a look at some of the most iconic success stories of our age – Walt Disney, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and J.K. Rowling, to name a few – it appears as though the biggest achievements often come after significant setbacks.

In sports, entertainment, business, and even politics, some of our best-known heroes have failed a time or two. Below are five examples of historical figures rising above adversity to achieve greatness.

1. Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin is recognized as one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers. As editor of Poor Richards Almanac, founder of the University of Pennsylvania, inventor of the lightning rod, and contributor to the Declaration of Independence, it would be difficult to argue against his important role in American history. However, Franklin was forced to quit his formal education at age ten when his parents could no longer afford schooling. Faced with this setback, Franklin took ownership of his own education and eventually became one of this nation’s greatest minds.

2. Abraham Lincoln

In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln wrote the following words to a cadet who was down on his luck:

“Adhere to your purpose and you will soon feel as well as you ever did. On the contrary, if you falter, and give up, you will lose the power of keeping any resolution, and will regret it all your life.”

Lincoln certainly understood the importance of perseverance, as he was well acquainted with failure. In the 1830s he served in the Black Hawk War, during which he was demoted from the rank of captain to private. He weathered many losses in his bids for public office, failed in business, and even suffered a nervous breakdown. In 1860 his election was the catalyst for the secession of southern states from the Union. Today he is regarded as one of the greatest U.S. presidents of all time.

3. Winston Churchill

Prime Minister Winston Churchill played a crucial role in securing Allied victory during WWII. His dogged determination to hold out against German air attacks during the Battle of Britain helped turn the tide of war in 1940. Although his wartime leadership earned him a revered place in history, his path to greatness was marked by numerous failures. As a child, he struggled in school and later faced numerous letdowns in his attempt to win public office. One of his greatest failures came during WWI when his failed Gallipoli campaign ended in epic disaster.

4. John F. Kennedy

President John F. Kennedy’s skillful handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 helped prevent nuclear war between America and the Soviet Union. He established the Peace Corps and worked for the advancement of African American civil rights. His short presidency did not start off with a lot of success, however. The public debacle of the failed Bay of Pigs invasion threatened to undermine the public faith in the young president before he had an opportunity to prove his mettle.

5. Dick Cheney

Vice-President Dick Cheney provides a final example of a successful public figure turning failure into triumph. Mr. Cheney flunked out of Yale University two times. At a 2001 commencement speech, former President George W. Bush, joked “So now we know – if you graduate from Yale, you become president. If you drop out, you get to be vice-president.”  

Failure is par for the course on the road to success. Fortunately, our leaders in public office have all experienced setbacks and used the lessons learned to become dynamic leaders within the American political system.