Learning to Lead Through Failure

Last week I wrote about Edmund—his failings, his betrayal, and how uncomfortably familiar his story was to me. I also mentioned my long-standing desire to be like Peter.

As a kid, I idealized Peter. As the oldest child myself, he seemed like the perfect leader. Sure, he was rude to Edmund at times, but I always had an explanation ready: Edmund needed to be put in his place. I made excuse after excuse for Peter.

Looking back now, Peter’s story has far more to teach us about leadership than I realized at the time.

Leadership Before Readiness

At the beginning of the film, leadership is thrust onto Peter. His father is away at war, and as the oldest child, Peter is suddenly looked to for guidance and protection. We can see immediately that he takes this responsibility seriously. He runs back into the house to save Edmund during the bombings, and later his mother tells him to look after the others as the children are sent to the countryside.

Peter feels the weight of responsibility—but he is still deeply unprepared.

He gives orders and expects obedience. When others don’t listen, he responds with humiliation rather than formation. Edmund bears the brunt of this. One of the moments played for humor is when Peter intentionally gives Edmund a woman’s coat to wear while exploring Narnia. It’s funny to the audience—but it clearly wounds Edmund.

Authority Without Formation

For Edmund, this is just another slight that feeds his resentment. Peter’s behavior helps create the conditions that lead Edmund toward betrayal.

Edmund is responsible for his own choices—but Peter is failing as a leader.

That distinction matters.

I recognized this pattern in myself during my first year as a teacher. I expected my students to behave like machines: if I gave instructions, they would comply. Instead, many ignored me or pushed back. In response, I often resorted to shaming or belittling them—usually without realizing it.

The result was predictable: resentment and greater disobedience.

Authority without formation doesn’t produce loyalty. It produces resistance.

Failure That Teaches

Peter’s shortcomings become even clearer as the group travels toward Aslan’s camp. Santa Claus gives Peter a sword to defend himself and his sisters. When they are attacked by the White Witch’s wolves, Peter freezes. He doesn’t want to kill. He wants to save his brother and go home.

The river intervenes and saves them—but Peter’s hesitation reveals his immaturity.

Leadership demands difficult decisions, especially when the innocent need protection. Peter isn’t cruel; he’s inexperienced.

At Aslan’s camp, we see the cost of that inexperience. When Peter tells Aslan they’ve lost Edmund, the pain on his face is unmistakable. He takes responsibility, saying, “It was my fault. I was too hard on him.”

This is the turning point.

Accountability. Humility. Growth.

Peter was given leadership before he was ready—but he is willing to learn.

Becoming Worthy of the Role

Soon after, Peter faces the wolf again. He hesitates—but this time he fights. In self-defense, he kills the wolf. Aslan knights him as Wolfsbane.

This moment matters.

Peter realizes he is capable of defending others. He begins training for the coming battle. He is no longer just Peter the older brother. He is becoming a leader worthy of following.

Too often, we expect leaders to have all the answers from the start. We criticize their mistakes—sometimes mercilessly. We do the same to ourselves.

But without experience, there can be no growth.

Learning Through Failure

My first year of teaching was terrible. I lacked experience and wisdom. I didn’t know how to lead a classroom. Between my first and second year, I learned the importance of relationships—encouraging students when they did well, building rapport, showing them I actually cared.

I went from one of the worst teachers to a good one with a future.

That first year wasn’t wasted. It was necessary.

Without it, I wouldn’t be who I am today.

The Kind of Leader Worth Following

Peter was always the character I wanted to be. What I failed to notice as a boy was that his greatness came not from perfection, but from response.

The boy who froze before the wolf became the man who led soldiers into battle. He inspired such loyalty that his brother and soldiers were willing to risk their lives for him.

Peter became a great king because he learned from failure instead of denying it.

A Final Reflection

As we look at our own lives, we shouldn’t be surprised—or crushed—by failure. We will fail. We are human.

The key is learning.

Failures, when faced honestly, form us into men who can lead well—and follow well.

As you move through this week and inevitably make mistakes, remember this:

They are not the end.
They are invitations to grow.

Forge Ahead

Anvil: the place of formation.
Arrow: the mission we’re sent on.

The world needs more men formed in virtue. Forward this to a brother who’s ready to grow.

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