Failing is Good
Failure is for losers or so I used to think.
It scared me. I avoided risky ideas, second-guessed myself, and felt embarrassed when things didn’t go as planned. I was educated and trained to avoid risk by my teachers, my family and my community. I was told risk is to be avoided and failure is for losers. Failing is very bad.
But over time, I’ve realized something important: failure isn’t the opposite of success. It’s part of the path to it. It is a natural thing when one leaves the comfort zone. In fact, staying in your comfort zone dooms you to mediocrity, in most cases.
Take Elon Musk, for example. Early SpaceX rockets exploded, and Tesla nearly went under. Most people would have quit. But each failure taught Musk and his teams exactly what didn’t work and what to try next. Today, SpaceX routinely lands rockets, and Tesla has changed the auto industry forever. That’s the power of failing forward.
Here’s what I’ve learned about tolerating (OK, I mean "embracing") failure:
- Acknowledge and Accept It: Every risk carries a chance of failure. Planning for it doesn’t make it worse; it makes you ready. Each misstep becomes a lesson, not a verdict on your ability.
- Reward Smart Risks: Success gets applause but smart failures deserve recognition too. Reward creativity and experimentation, even when it doesn’t go as planned. This is hard in a startup or a mature organization where success so desired. It is also hard to fund failure, but experimentation is a necessity.
- Extract Lessons: Don’t mourn the mistake. Analyze what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve. Every failure is a blueprint for your next attempt. I suggest documenting your process including all your missteps. Keep a diary or a private blog. Personal reflection may not happen in the current moment.
- Share Your Story: Vulnerability and truth can be powerful. Sharing your failures shows others that missteps aren’t the end. Publicize your failure. Don't hide it. Your candor will enhance your public image and I bet you will feel better once you have talked to others about it.
Failing forward isn’t about loving defeat. It’s about curiosity, courage, and persistence. I prefer to think of business (and life in general) as a grand experiment. Every choice, risk, and failure provides data. We learn, iterate, and adapt, turning setbacks into discoveries and growth opportunities.
Fail away.
John Bradley Jackson
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P.S. Even the most successful people have failed spectacularly: author J.K. Rowling was rejected by 12 publishers, entertainer Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first TV job, and entrepreneur Brian Chesky struggled to get Airbnb off the ground. Their failures didn’t define them; what they did next defined them.
P.S.S. Yes, I have many failures. Almost too many to list.