A C-Suite coaching client recently shared his anxiety over a highly visible failure. He was upset – horrified by the implications of such a big misstep.
Given this client’s love of sports, I shared an analogy that I hoped would resonate.
“You want to know the fastest way to ruin any sport?” I asked.
He looked at me, puzzled.
“Ensure the players never fail.”
Think about it… What if every time Michael Jordan had possession of the basketball, he always made the shot? 🏀 Or if every pitch in baseball resulted in a home run? ⚾️ Or if every single soccer goal ever attempted was successful? ⚽️
Eventually, no one would watch sports anymore. Why?
Because the thrill of the game is not in always winning, but in the challenges—the inevitable failures and the comeback that follows.
The same is true for leading a business. Failure fuels growth. It’s how we learn, improve, and become stronger. Every mistake is a steppingstone to greater success.
If those are the benefits of failing, why are we so afraid of it?
As leaders, I think it’s our responsibility to *reframe the common (fear-based) view of failure*. Embrace it. It’s not only a pathway to success—it can make the journey infinitely more interesting, more exciting – and yes, just as fun as being in or watching a sports game.
How has failure shaped your own leadership journey? What valuable lessons have you learned from it?