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6 Unexpected Benefits of Sharing Failures Publicly

Learn the benefits of sharing failures publicly: deep connections, innovation and constant learning on the road to success.

By:
Pepe Villatoro
October 9, 2024
6 Benefits of Sharing Failures Publicly

In a world where success is glorified and failure is hidden, sharing our stumbles may seem like an act of weakness. However, the effect is precisely the opposite.

People want to follow leaders who are human and who know how to accept when they don't know or when they do something wrong. Hierarchical, know-it-all leadership is on its way out. New moral leadership, based on authenticity and vulnerability, has the greatest impact.  

It is in being vulnerable that the true power of growth, both personal and professional, lies. It is in being vulnerable, based on authenticity and vulnerability, that makes the greatest impact. This attitude enables the development of a growth mindset that opens doors to shared learning and innovation.

Here we explore six unexpected benefits of sharing failures publicly that Fuckup Nights speakers gain after sharing with our global community:

1. Demystifying Failure 

Why does sharing failures dismantle stigma?

By sharing our mistakes, we dismantle the stigma surrounding them. Instead of seeing failure as a sign of weakness, we begin to understand it as a natural stage on the road to growth and a necessity for success. We all fail, and recognizing this frees us from the absurd pressure of perfection.

When we normalize failure, we create an environment where the innovation process can flourish and a growth mindset is reinforced. In addition, open communication about failure promotes a positive attitude towards challenges and prepares teams for future initiatives, based on the learnings gained.

As we say at Fuckup Nights, our movement is dedicated to three types of people: those who failed, those who are going to fail, and liars. For more ideas on how to redefine failure, we invite you to read What is failure, anyway.

2. Building Human Connections 

How sharing failures strengthens empathy and builds stronger communities

Sharing failures connects us on a deeper level. We remind each other that we are not alone in our struggles. By opening up our stories, we create empathy and a stronger community. This human connection is critical because by sharing our struggles we inspire others to be honest about their own failures, thus promoting a collective growth mindset and shared learning.

In addition, transparent communication about mistakes creates an environment in which experiences of failed projects are discussed to avoid repeating similar situations.

Showing ourselves to be authentic and complete allows us to move from a transactional environment where people only want to squeeze results, to one of true human connection based on trust. This type of connection is also fostered by sharing failure, not just successes.

These are other unexpected benefits of sharing failures publicly.

3. Fostering a Culture of Innovation 

Creating trusting environments that foster creativity

In the professional arena, overcoming the fear of failure becomes a catalyst for creativity. When leaders share their mistakes without fear of retaliation, they encourage others to take measured and informed risks, thus stimulating a growth mindset throughout the team. An environment where failures are embraced is one where the innovation process can thrive, unlocking the potential to develop creative solutions and providing growth opportunities for all team members, while fostering a culture of experimentation that encourages teams to try new things and learn in the process.

The alternative is the typical "we've always done it this way" culture, where teams stay in a comfort zone and companies die a slow and painful death. Especially in today's world of ever-accelerating change. 

If you would like to explore how useful knowledge can emerge from failure, see our article Innovation: Useful knowledge from failure.

We also share with you 3 positive aspects of innovating while failing:

  1. Promotes psychological safety at work.
  2. Taking responsibility for your own decisions allows for continuous learning.
  3. Defeating your ego is a crucial step in building solutions.

If you want to know more you can consult the following article: The 3 best practices to innovate while failing in 2023.

4. Learning to Analyze Critically

Introspection for personal and professional growth

Introspection is key. By sharing and analyzing our failures, we learn to ask hard questions:

  • What decision-making process led us there? 
  • What lessons can we learn? 
  • What would you do differently if you were to start over?

This process is not to blame oneself, but to grow and avoid stumbling over the same stone twice. 

Every failure becomes an opportunity to learn and improve, making us more aware of our capabilities and limitations, which is another unexpected benefit of sharing failures and essential for a growth mindset.

5. Cultivate a Growth Mindset 

Failures as continuous learning opportunities

Those who embrace a growth mindset see failures as opportunities for growth. 

Instead of allowing ourselves to be defined by our mistakes, we interpret them as temporary events. 

We are not failures. We live a failure that does not define our identity. Failure is not the limit of our abilities. For some tips on how to be more creative when facing challenges, you can visit how to be creative.

This perspective strengthens us, helping us to persevere in the face of challenges. Resilience is built by accepting that failure is not the end, but part of the journey. These are some of the unexpected benefits of sharing failures publicly and cultivating a strong growth mindset.

6. Transforming Failures into Positive Actions 

How to turn lessons into concrete strategies

Finally, by sharing failures publicly, we can transform lessons into concrete actions. Whether adjusting our strategies or learning new skills, every mistake offers us a path to progress. Keeping a record of our failures and learnings not only helps us avoid repeating mistakes, but also becomes a valuable resource in our continued growth.

Transparent and open communication about these failures helps cultivate a positive attitude and strengthens resilience in difficult times. difficult times.


Final conclusions

Celebrating the lessons of failure

By sharing and analyzing our failures publicly, we not only fuel our growth, but also inspire others to do so. We become true moral leaders and promote a growth mindset in ourselves and those around us.

Instead of hiding our downfalls, let's celebrate the lessons they offer us. Failure is not the end of the road; it is a teacher on the journey to the best version of ourselves, our teams and our companies. 

Let us open the door to vulnerability and allow the power of failure to guide us towards self-knowledge.

Example of how we have changed the organizational culture of companies, helping to share their stories of failure.

At Fuckup Nights, we have worked with hundreds of companies from various sectors, helping them transform their organizational cultures through the Culture of Failure. By fostering an environment where failure is accepted and analyzed, companies have become more resilient and open to innovation. Our tool, The Failure Surveyallows us to assess how failure is perceived within teams and helps identify opportunities for improvement in the work culture. This methodology not only fosters psychological safety, but also enhances open communication and continuous growth.

In the last year, 57% of employees surveyed with our tool acknowledged that their organizations still tend to avoid risks in favor of safe decisions, thus limiting innovation. However, 48.3% of workers perceive that their leaders are now more open to admitting mistakes, which contributes significantly to psychological safety. In addition, 46% of employees reported feeling more able to maintain transparent communication with other collaborators, reflecting a positive change in the management of difficult conversations within organizations. If you want to read our full report, visit this article.

Positive Impact on Work Culture

Today, many companies have begun to see failure as an essential component of learning and innovation, and have succeeded in reducing the fear of error among their employees. This change in mindset allows teams to feel more confident in sharing their mistakes and lessons, promoting a culture of shared responsibility and strengthening ties within the organization.

If you wish to work on the creation of trusting relationships in safe spaces for your work teams, you can contact us at this page with the Fuckup Nights team, and thus contribute together to personal development, to achieve their personal growth and that of your company.

Edited by

Karla Ferreira

6 Unexpected Benefits of Sharing Failures Publicly
Pepe Villatoro
Co-Founder
Pepe Villatoro is a globally awarded serial entrepreneur. He has created 5 companies and was the Regional Head of Expansion, in Southern Europe and North Latam. Currently, he collaborates with governments and companies to help create a shift in mindset. He loves traveling, having a good meal, and having good conversations.
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Let's transform our perception of failure and use it as a catalyst for growth.