5 Lessons I Learned Through Failure

Ever launched a product or initiative you thought would be an instant hit—only to watch it fall flat? I’ve been there, and it’s never fun. Believe me. But after more than 20 years in innovation, I’ve realized that failure is a better teacher than success. By examining what went wrong and why, I’ve grown into a more adaptive and understanding leader.

Below, I’d like to share five big missteps I made and the insights they gave me (and my teams) to become stronger and more prepared for the next challenge.

1. Thinking You Know the Consumer

What Happened: Early in my career, I launched a sparkling tea product that seemed perfect on paper. Unfortunately, I didn’t get enough real feedback from consumers. This internal echo chamber led to underwhelming sales, and the product quietly disappeared from shelves, though the discussions in my office were quite loud.

What I Learned:

• Validate early and often. Use a Stage-Gate framework with Agile sprints to gather consumer input from the start. This helps you catch issues before you’ve invested too much time and money.

2. Micromanaging a High-Potential Team

What Happened: Under pressure to fix a product glitch with big retailer orders on the line, I controlled every detail and missed chances to involve other departments. My team felt stifled, creativity dipped, and we lost the chance for a faster, more innovative solution. I also robbed them of ownership and accountability.

What I Learned:

• Empower teams. Provide clear goals but let people figure out how to reach them. That’s why you hired them. Autonomy plus accountability creates stronger problem-solvers.
• Foster collaboration. Bring in multiple departments for fresh perspectives and resources you might otherwise miss.

3. Underestimating Connections

What Happened: I launched a cost-efficiency program without involving key players, from finance to operations. This caused confusion and wasted time. Luckily, after honest talks and better alignment, we salvaged the program and got it back on track.

What I Learned:

• Involve all stakeholders. Loop in cross-functional teams at the start so you spot issues early and gain vital buy-in.
• Start small. A pilot run helps you uncover hidden roadblocks and, if it succeeds, shows proof of concept for bigger rollouts.

4. Avoiding Tough Conversations

What Happened: While launching a high-profile product line, I knew our co-manufacturer was struggling but assumed the team had it covered. Instead of proactively checking in and confirming the plan, I waited too long. That turned out to be a big mistake—launch dates were missed, frustration grew, and our partnership took a hit.

What I Learned:

• Communicate early and clearly. Address possible problems at the start. Sometimes one call can prevent a meltdown.
• Collaborative problem-solving. Bring everyone together to build trust, find solutions faster, and keep projects on track.

5. Resisting a New Approach

What Happened: Midway through a major reorganization, I failed to see how quickly everything around me was changing. I clung to old habits, while others embraced the new direction, and that left me behind. It also caused friction on the team and slowed my growth.

What I Learned:

• Stay agile. When management or direction changes, pivot quickly.
• Invest in learning. Attend industry events, track emerging trends, and urge your team to do the same. Leaders who keep learning don’t fall behind.

Key Takeaways

1. Validate early. Gather real feedback from consumers before pouring in resources.
2. Empower teams. Offer direction, then let the team find the “how.”
3. Think holistically. Involve all departments at the outset to spot potential snags and secure support.
4. Address issues head-on. Honest talk early on prevents bigger headaches later.
5. Stay flexible. Embrace change and keep learning to stay one step ahead.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Failure will happen—it’s how we handle it that sets us apart. By treating setbacks as opportunities to learn, we come out stronger on the other side. Whether you’re rolling out a new product, refining a process, or guiding a team through change, these lessons can help you lead with adaptability and empathy.

What about you? Have you experienced a professional failure that turned into a turning point? Share your story in the comments—you never know who you might help.

About the Author

Erik Throndsen, MS is an executive leader focused on innovation and sustainability, with more than 20 years of experience in product development and cross-functional leadership. He loves building teams and solving problems to drive responsible growth. If you want to swap stories or compare notes on when things didn’t go as planned, feel free to reach out!