Failing Forward
Welcome to the Why to Wow newsletter which is all about inspiring the hearts and minds of people worldwide with the Power of Differentiation. In the Why to Wow newsletter, I share my experiences over the last 40+ years helping leaders differentiate their brands and products. I hope it will inspire you to discover and share your own brand’s uniqueness with the world.
Jacob Brown recently released a book titled Fail Forward Mentality. In it, he shares the powerful message that we all fail many times in our lives, but we must use that failure as inspiration to move forward and improve.
Throughout the first season of my firm’s podcast, Jacob and other guests have discussed the topic of failure. Emmy Award-winning musician Ranaan Meyer tells how mistakes made during performances used to unhinge him to the point of feeling like he’d fallen off a cliff, continuing to “mess up.” He came to understand that when a fellow bandmate makes a mistake, it’s an opportunity for him to show support and even “riff” or play off that supposed mistake, having fun with it and potentially creating an even more interesting composition.
Hollywood agent Matt Labov has freely admitted that he’s made scores of mistakes in his career, but he’s accepted them, undeterred in his quest to do “something great.” He implores his associates to attempt at all times “to be great” rather than playing it safe.
Efficiency consultant Jonathan Stark views mistakes and failures as necessary for personal improvement.
When I interviewed best-selling author Seth Godin, I reminded him of a two-day seminar he hosted decades ago in New York that several of my team members attended. At the end of the first day, one of them called to inform me they were coming home early and that Seth was refunding the seminar cost. I asked why, and the response was, “Seth told us that he was not satisfied with what he was providing, apologized, and said he was issuing refunds.” What may have seemed like a negative turned out to be positive, as it revealed Seth’s integrity despite the allure of making money. Since that moment, I’ve been a loyal follower and fan of his.
“Failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change might be.”
- John Wooden, all-time-great college basketball coach and author
Difference-maker #1: Failure is expected and a natural part of life.
For pet lovers out there, have you ever watched your dog stumble or fall while trying to jump in your lap? Animals show no embarrassment. I once heard my 16-year-old, mostly blind Maltipoo (half Maltese, half Poodle) accidentally tumble into our swimming pool. I heard the sound and raced to save her. She was paddling away, head up and ready for a helping hand. That’s how we need to behave when we stumble.
Difference-maker #2: When (not if) you fail, fail forward.
Jacob Brown, a former NFL player, described what that means: “If you are a running back and you need three yards for a touchdown, and you’re tackled after one yard—if you fall backward, you still have three yards to the goal. But, if you fall forward, you will gain another yard and be only two yards from the goal.” We must use our shortcomings as learning tools; otherwise, they are a waste.
Difference-maker #3: Show grace…to yourself.
I think it’s easier to support others through their failure than to show the same compassion to ourselves. Perhaps a little acceptance, as long as you fail forward, would go a long way.
All great leaders acknowledge they have fallen—and will continue to fall—short and miss the mark. Let’s join them in moving forward.
Podcasts I Recommend
Here are two great podcasts I recommend if you’re looking for inspiring business insights.
The Impatient Entrepreneur is a storytelling podcast that offers an honest look at the highs, lows, and everything in between that come with building a business. Hosted by PR strategist and founder Lauren Kwedar Cockerell, the show features entrepreneurs who are driven, daring, and just impatient enough to change the game.
With more than 200 episodes, the Jazz for Peace podcast resonates with listeners of all ages. Hosted by Rick DellaRatta and his Jazz for Peace Foundation, the show has welcomed a wide range of inspirational guests, sharing powerful stories and meaningful insights.