Here's how you can navigate and resolve a failure with your team or colleagues.

How organisations deal with failures is a key indicator of culture and ultimately of future success. Candid and objective discussion of failures with an improvement mindset creates a self reinforcing positive culture of learning, encouraging all colleagues to highlight issues early and allowing their timely resolution. Rigorous root cause analysis (5 why's is a great framework to start with) with input from all involved stakeholders helps the organisation to identify the real underlying issues. Developing robust counter measures or mitigation helps to stop further occurrence - communicating these measures throughout all similar parts of the organisation spreads the learning. An oft-forgotten step is to thank staff for their contribution

When I started coaching, my first workshop was a total flop show. I’d prepped for weeks, and only two people showed up- and they also looked worried why they signed up for something that no one else did! Talk about a blow. I was deflated. But as an aftermath, I told myself, “This is a learning moment.” I went over every detail—what worked, what didn’t, and why. I didn't have a big team but I brainstormed with friends, mentors, colleagues and all contributed ideas on how to improve. Good we turned that failure into fuel!

Navigating a product launch failure does invoke good communication skills. I'd say, gather your team for a transparent discussion. Share what went wrong, encouraging everyone to voice their thoughts without fear of blame. No finger-pointing, just a team pow-wow!

Open & honest communication when things don't go as planned is key. Consumers want to know that future crisis can be mitigated. Consider how your organization fixed a similar concern in the past. Did you: - re-work a process to make it better, more efficient, a more pleasurable experience? - offer training or coaching to deter future issues? - brainstorm with all stakeholders? Ask the clients for feedback? Talk with your team or board of directors? Seek professional advice? - determine if this mistake has a different solution ex. can the issue be solved remotely? can a partner or vendor help correct the problem? - choose the right spokesperson to deliver your message? Strategic communication should include prevention tactics.

This happened some 15 years ago. There I was, with my team, launching what I thought was the next big thing – retail pack of jaggery- only for it to crash and burn spectacularly. Think Hindenburg-level disaster. But instead of letting it ruin the everyone's morale, my partner and I, rallied everyone for an emergency "Mission Impossible" meeting. These weren't the exact words but we meant- “Team, we’ve hit an iceberg. But like Captain Ahab, we're not going down without a fight!” This was fueled by pizza and determination. We identified flaws, revamped our approach, and turned it around. Today, we've made it to India's top jaggery brand, offering a spread of 150+ products made out of jaggery (panela), and they're all selling like hot cakes!

To improve after a failure, we need to develop clear action plans. First, we identify the areas that need adjustments and prioritize them. Let's create bold and inspiring goals that really motivate the team to overcome challenges. Then, we describe detailed strategies and actions, assigning clear responsibilities to each member. We set deadlines and regularly monitor progress. We stay flexible to adjust the plan as necessary and celebrate successes along the way. With this approach, we turn failures into growth opportunities, strengthening the team and its ability to face future challenges.