This is one of the beliefs of excellence in Neuro Linguistic programming (NLP) that has resonated strongly with me in life so far: “There is no failure, only feedback and learning”. Since incorporating this belief of excellence, whether it was a lost business deal, a failed exam, or overcoming a health challenge, I have learned to see failure in a positive light. Through the lens of this belief of excellence, failure is no longer a source of fear, but a natural part of the learning process that can lead to growth and development.
Often success can be attributed to our ability to learn from failures, embrace new solutions, and continuously innovate. John C. Maxwell, a leading leadership expert, has even written a book named ‘Failing Forward’, encouraging people to fail faster and turn these failures into stepping stones for success.
Similarly, in today’s world, Design thinking is a valuable problem-solving skill that enables organizations and individuals to effectively analyse problems, brainstorm solutions, prototype, and test them before implementing them to move forward towards success. In the early 1980s, when Steve Jobs approached IDEO with the challenge of designing a mouse that could make the Macintosh computer more user-friendly. IDEO’s designers went through several iterations, prototyping and testing various designs until they finally developed a mouse that was intuitive to use and visually appealing. This mouse went on to become a hallmark of Apple’s success in creating user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing products. IDEO understood that failure is a natural part of the innovation process and they were willing to test and iterate their products multiple times before launching them to the market.
Adopting this iterative approach, I have learnt that l see setbacks not as defeats but as prototypes for future strategies. Whether facing a failed turnout in a webinar or event, I treat each as a test, learning from each iteration to improve the next.
By applying design thinking’s cycle of continuous improvement, we can transform our approach to failure. This method not only aids in overcoming personal obstacles but also cultivates a resilient and innovative mindset in professional environments. Embracing failure as a necessary step in the journey empowers us to thrive through challenges and innovate with greater confidence.