How Claudia and Saul Leal Teach the Power of Failure for Growth
How do you define failure? A growth mindset sees failure as a building block that leads to future success. Students at Cumorah Academy embrace this mindset, recognizing the value of learning from setbacks. Brazilian author Paulo Coelho once said:
“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”
The road to success is long, filled with ups and downs. However, viewing failures as lessons is one of the principles the Leals instills in our students. Their belief in this generation’s potential is what inspired them to join us.
The Leal’s Journey of Growth
Saul and Claudia Leal have cultivated a growth mindset through their personal experiences and aspirations. This Venezuelan couple recently shared their wisdom with our students, offering timeless principles for success.
We help students succeed professionally and in all areas of life. While work occupies much of our time, it isn’t everything. We train leaders for families, communities, and any situation they encounter.
Finding Purpose and Perspective
To reach their full potential, students must reflect on the reasons behind their goals. A goal loses its power when its purpose isn’t understood. Author Simon Sinek refers to this process as “Starting with Why,” a concept that motivates students to pursue their projects earnestly. Saul and Claudia believe students are never alone in their journeys. “Heavenly Father wants you to be more successful than you want to be successful,” they remind us.
Saul and Claudia have lived by this faith. Saul earned his MBA from BYU’s Marriott School of Business, worked for BYU-TV International, and founded several companies, including One Meta. Claudia holds a master’s degree in community leadership and is now a fine art history professor in Salt Lake City.
Embracing Failure as a Lesson for Success
The Leals’ leadership lessons deeply resonated with students. Milena Faria, from Portugal, shared: “In life, don’t be afraid to do things and become who Heavenly Father wants you to be.” Interestingly, Saul once served as a missionary in Portugal.
Mentors like the Leals aim to help students become the best versions of themselves. Their teachings encourage students to shift their mindset and reshape their self-image. “Where you put your thoughts is what you become,” they emphasize.
A student from Mexico, Zeid Arellano, reflected on a key lesson: “Life is a process you can’t rush because the good things are yet to come.” Indeed, good things await those who are prepared. With an eternal perspective, failure is never the end—just a lesson along the way. As Saul says, “Failure does not exist when you have an eternal view of time.”
At Cumorah Academy, students are encouraged to embrace an eternal perspective, one that broadens their vision, nurtures hope for the future and motivates them to serve others. This is the spirit of Cumorah Academy.
The Leals shared their experience as mentors in the clip below:
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Photos by Natalia Lopez
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
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