Turn Failures into Opportunities: What Gibbs from NCIS Teaches Us About Mindset Rule 11

The other day, I found myself in a cozy diner — the kind where the coffee’s always hot, the pie’s always fresh, and the regulars know each other by name. I was minding my own business, about to dig into breakfast, when I heard a voice behind me say, “Mind if I borrow the salt?”

I turned around, and to my surprise, it was none other than Gibbs from NCIS — Leroy Jethro Gibbs himself, the stoic, rule-bound leader of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

He looked a bit worn down — the kind of tired that comes from years of chasing criminals and carrying more than he lets on. “This is a great diner,” he said, sprinkling salt on his eggs. “But man, I’m beat. The work never stops.”

I nodded. “You know, Gibbs, that actually sounds a lot like my battle with mental health. I spent 20 years fighting Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. It left me feeling so lost and powerless that I even tried to end my life.”

He gave me that classic Gibbs stare — the one that says, I’m listening. Keep going.

“But in that darkest moment,” I continued, “I realized something life-changing: mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.

And with that realization, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold new SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge — so you can take charge of your emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life you really want!”

Gibbs nodded slightly.

“One of the biggest lessons on that journey?” I said. “Learning how to view failure — not as something to fear, but as something that fuels growth. Because when we change how we see our missteps, we change how we move forward.”

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Mindset Rule 11

A big part of the Mental Health Warrior Program is my book, 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior. These Mindset Rules aren’t just advice — they’re powerful warrior tools, forged through real struggle, designed to keep you grounded no matter what life throws your way.

Each Mindset Rule offers a path through stress and emotional turbulence. Instead of being overwhelmed by chaos, you learn to face it with focus and strength. When challenges hit, these Rules empower you to respond with clarity — not confusion — transforming obstacles into opportunities to grow stronger, more resilient, and more in charge of your life.

That caught Gibbs’s attention. “Rules, huh? What kind of rules?”

“Well,” I said, “for example — Mindset Rule 11: Your failures can be your greatest lessons if you’re not afraid of them. It’s about reframing failure as feedback, not defeat.”

Gibbs nodded, intrigued. So I continued, “When you remove the fear of failure, you actually start learning from your mistakes instead of letting them define you.”

He leaned back in his chair, thinking for a moment, then gave that trademark half-smile. “Yeah,” he said. “I’ve got a few thoughts about that myself.”

And just like that, Gibbs shared three of his own NCIS-tested lessons on how to live Mindset Rule 11 — and how to turn failure into fuel for growth.

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Lesson 1: Trust Your Instincts

“Sometimes, I’ve trusted my gut and gotten it wrong,” Gibbs admitted. “But those mistakes taught me to refine my instincts — to trust them more precisely. Every misstep was a lesson in how to be better next time.”

He leaned back, reflecting on one case that still haunted him. “There was a time when I followed my gut about a suspect. I was convinced he was guilty — everything in my bones told me so. But I was wrong. We wasted critical time, and the real criminal almost got away.

It was a tough pill to swallow, but it taught me something important. My instincts weren’t the problem — my execution was. Now, when my gut tells me something, I back it up with facts. It’s a balance.”

Our Turn: 

When a decision doesn’t pan out, don’t beat yourself up. Take a step back and ask: What was my instinct telling me? How did I act on it? What can I learn for next time?

For me, that shift was life-changing. When I was struggling with Bipolar and Anxiety, my instincts were buried under self-doubt. Every mistake felt like proof I couldn’t trust myself. But the moment I began treating mistakes as feedback instead of failure, I rebuilt that trust — one small choice at a time.

Now, I pause, listen, and act with awareness. Sometimes I still get it wrong — but I no longer spiral. I adjust, adapt and move forward.

So trust your gut — but train it like a Warrior. Because wisdom isn’t built from getting it right every time; it’s built from having the courage to learn when you don’t.

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Lesson 2: Use Your Team

Gibbs continued, “I’ve learned the hard way that going it alone doesn’t always work. My team’s got my back, and I’ve learned to rely on them — even when I’d rather do everything myself.”

He told me about a mission that nearly ended in disaster. “There was a time I didn’t trust my team enough. I went off on my own, trying to track down a lead, and ended up walking straight into an ambush. If McGee and Ziva hadn’t been monitoring me, I wouldn’t be here today.

That day, I realized something big — it’s not weakness to lean on others. Sometimes, your team can see things you miss and together, you get the job done.”

Our Turn:

In your own journey as a Mental Health Warrior, remember — you’re not meant to do this alone. Even the strongest Warriors have a tribe.

For years, I tried to fight my battles in silence — convinced that asking for help made me weak. But the truth? It nearly broke me. It wasn’t until I reached out — to friends, family, and even fellow Warriors — that I realized support isn’t surrender. It’s a warrior strategy for triumph!

Your team might look different. It could be a trusted friend, a family member, or even your loyal four-legged companion who just knows when you’re having a rough day. Whoever they are, let them in. Let them help you steady your footing when life feels heavy.

Because just like Gibbs relies on his team to cover his blind spots, you can rely on yours to help you through your toughest missions.

You don’t lose strength when you lean on others — you multiply it!

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Lesson 3: Every Failure Has a Lesson

“Even the cases that don’t go the way I want teach me something,” Gibbs said, finishing off his coffee. “Every failure, every success — it’s all part of becoming better at what I do.”

He smiled faintly, sharing a story from one of his most difficult cases. “We had this cold case that haunted me for years. Every time I thought we were close, something fell apart. At one point, I considered shelving it for good. But instead, I went back and re-examined every misstep, every dead end — and that’s when it clicked.

What I’d thought was a dead end was actually a clue in disguise. That failure became the breakthrough we needed.” 

Our Turn:

Think of your life like a series of cases. Not every one will wrap up neatly. Some will feel like dead ends. But even those moments — especially those moments — hold lessons.

Failures don’t mean you’re broken. They mean you’re learning. Each setback is data, not defeat. It reveals what didn’t work so you can find what will.

I learned that the hard way during my battle with Bipolar and Alcoholism. There were so many times I thought I’d failed for good. But every stumble became a roadmap for the next right step. Once I stopped judging myself and started studying my mistakes, everything changed.

Because it’s not about never falling — it’s about rising with wisdom every time you do.

That’s what makes you a Warrior.

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Wrap Up

As our conversation wound down, I handed Gibbs a copy of my book, 53 Mindset Rules of a Mental Health Warrior. He flipped through a few pages, then looked up with that rare, approving half-smile.

“You know, Bruce,” he said, “next time, I might need to borrow more than the salt. These rules... they could come in handy.”

That moment reminded me of something powerful: mental strength is for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned NCIS agent or someone quietly battling your own mind — the challenges may differ, but the mission remains the same: Face it. Learn from it. Rise stronger!

So the next time life knocks you sideways, remember Mindset Rule 11: Reframe your failures. See the opportunity. Keep moving forward.

Because that’s what a Mental Health Warrior does — and that’s how we triumph over our challenges each day!

Bruce Schutter

Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!