Project Failure Files: The Fear of Making Mistakes
In Episode 48 of the Project Failure Files weekly webcast, our focus was “Unintentionally Failing Forward,” in which Sharon and I explore the concept of “failing forward”—the practice of learning from mistakes rather than fearing or avoiding them. We highlight how fear of failure can stifle creativity, discourage innovation, and lead to rigid processes that limit progress. By contrast, leaders and teams that normalize and analyze setbacks are more likely to foster environments where experimentation and growth thrive.
The discussion covers how to reframe failure as a valuable data point, turning missteps into metrics that inform smarter decisions. Sharon and I outline how psychological safety, flexible methodologies, and regular post-mortems create room for agility and continuous improvement. Leaders are encouraged to shift from blame to accountability, modeling vulnerability and focusing on solutions rather than mistakes.
Ultimately, the episode champions resilience as a cultural strength, showcasing how organizations that embrace failure rebound faster and build stronger long-term results. With actionable insights for project managers, team leads, and executives, this conversation is a reminder that growth often comes from discomfort—and that the best leaders help others move forward, even when things don’t go according to plan.
Enjoy the episode!
Be sure to tune in next Monday, May 19th at 9am Pacific for Episode 49 of our weekly series as Sharon and I discuss “Juggling Vendors Without Dropping the Ball.“ Hope you can join us on LinkedIn or YouTube.
