It's the annual review season and the final quarterly review for those on the quarterly system. I hear rumblings from many I coach who feel stretched too thin, burdened with too many projects, and exposed to failure more than they'd like. If the task becomes writing on our work, all that went well, and how things emerged as we'd hoped, ought we also address what flopped?

I say: Yes. We ought to. Failure opens up great storytelling opportunities and if you're working 330+ days in a year, perfection's impossible. But how to feel better about the bleak or imperfect moments? Journalism storytelling techniques can help. So can Competency Number 5, maintaining presence, staying calm and peaceful in the wake of not knowing, because it gives us excellent perspective on what matters, and what doesn't. Also, how to trust ourselves amidst ambiguity. And career failures can certainly feel ambiguous.

Reading from Medium, my musings on how maintaining presence helps us communicate what did not go right with our work with more calm, clarity, and conviction in hopes you feel comfortable doing the same as you write your review. Especially helpful for those seeking a promotion, because failure, after all, separates the meek from the courageous.

Your show host, D G McCullough, is a communications coach for Fortune 100 leaders, a former reporter for the Guardian, the Economist, and the FT of London. Find her on LinkedIn. Join her communications and active listening workshops on Maven here and here. Blank page to Byline, write your annual review like a global business reporter, her newest writing workshop is on Luma, click here.