Entering Year 10 of Hosting the Fabulous Fuckup Nights. Here Are My 10 Lessons Learned. ??

For many, the thought of failure often evokes feelings of disappointment, shame, and fear. It is a concept that - still - is deeply ingrained in our society and is often seen as a negative and undesirable outcome. However, for some, failure has become a way of life. Like for me, tbh! ??

As I enter my tenth year of hosting Fuckup Nights - a global movement where stories of failure transform into valuable lessons - I am also about to achieve this unexpected milestone.

More importantly, I did learn many valuable lessons that have shaped my perspective and approach towards failures and challenges. Here are my top 10.

Embracing a trial & error mindset makes my life significantly easier

There’s a German proverb that goes something like that: “Once the reputation is tarnished, life is lived without restraint.”

This is not necessarily what I’m about to suggest. But through my own experiences, I have come to realize that failure is not something to be ashamed, but rather an opportunity for growth and learning. In many of my projects and cases, a wrong outcome was even relevant for future success.

Such as the collapse of crowd-o-moto, the first startup I was involved in. Admittedly, it took me a while to digest, but once I stopped worrying about the society’s reaction and started to study the failure, it ultimately gave me more confidence as an entrepreneur.

My willingness to experiment and accept that not every idea will result in immediate success, opened myself up to new possibilities and insights. And by embracing this trial and error mindset, I’ve developed resilience, adaptability, and it allows me to make more informed decisions. Not bad, I guess.??

Giving - through organizing this event - is rewarding

The sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing I have contributed to something greater than myself is unparalleled. Organizing an event and giving back to the community is an incredibly rewarding experience. The act of bringing people together for a common cause and making a positive impact on the lives of others is truly fulfilling. It is a privilege to be able to make a difference and contribute to the betterment of society.

Perseverance prevails?

Over the past decade, many of us have faced countless challenges and numerous obstacles. Me too. But, despite the setbacks and moments of doubt, I’ve remained steadfast in my pursuit of becoming a better human, better entrepreneur, and changing how we all deal with failures.

I am definitely humbled by the journey so far, but this resilience has been the driving force behind the continued growth. Therefore, entering year 10, and we are still in the game.

Failure Culture is not a trend

In reflecting on the past years, it is clear that failure culture is not just a passing trend for organizations, but needs to be deeply ingrained in their DNA’s. Failure is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather a necessary catalyst for growth and innovation.

This mindset - not just theoretical but put into action - will allow organizations to remain resilient in the face of challenges, constantly adapting and evolving to stay ahead of the curve. And the competition.

Most people know failure prevention and post mortems. But what about the sweet spot: failure and ongoing projects?

Failure prevention methodologies are useful for identifying potential failures before the start of a project; however, the challenge is that failures still occur. On the other hand, post-mortems are conducted only after the end of a project; the issue here is that the gained knowledge can't be used to improve the ongoing project.

I’ve realized that it’s equally crucial to monitor and address failures throughout the lifespan of a project and use them as success engines. How? Yup, that’s a good question, and I believe I have an answer. Already working on it.

Corporate Fuckup Nights are the perfect ice-breaker, but what follows is what counts

Corporate Fuckup Nights serve as an ideal ice-breaker to encourage candid discussions around failure and its lessons. These events provide an authentic platform for organizations to showcase that sharing failures can be fun and rewarding.

However, it is crucial to recognize that the real value lies not solely in the act of sharing failures but in what follows. It is essential to leverage these discussions to foster a culture of learning and growth. And in order to do that: you will need a plan. So that once you get punched in your face, you just punch back.?

A good leader does not overestimate themselves

One other learning is that some leaders tend to fall into the trap of overestimating their own abilities. This lesson gains particular significance when addressing feedback about a negative failure culture within the organization. Too often, leaders might dismiss or overlook such concerns, jeopardizing the overall health of the team or company.

A strong leader, however, distinguishes themselves by actively listening to the feedback and insights of their staff. Instead of assuming, they choose to lead by example. I repeat: Lead by example! This humility not only builds trust but also sets the foundation for a resilient and adaptable organizational culture that can effectively navigate challenges and drive collective growth.

Free entrance to the Fuckup Nights is a pain-in-the-a**

Back to my Fuckup Nights: When it comes to decision-making, my heart often possesses a powerful influence that can challenge my rationality and logic. This holds true even when many others suggest otherwise.

A free entrance to my Fuckup Nights is less binding and invites ticket-holders not to show up, even without notice. But it's my heart that does want to keep the entrance free and thus reach people.

I believe that creating a strong community around this topic is more important than an economic consideration.

Mindset matters

Through the last nine years, I have evolved into a focused change-maker and tinkerer. I have learned to approach challenges with a proactive mindset, constantly seeking innovative solutions and improvements.

Rather than being discouraged by setbacks, I now view them as a proof of boldness. This mindset has not only enhanced my problem-solving skills but has also fueled my motivation for creating meaningful change in both my personal and professional lives.?

Trust your gut

While I have worked with more than 300 business professionals on their lessons learned, there’s one learning we all did not see coming. One, they all had in common: Do not ignore a gut feeling.

My personal takeaway: While data and analysis are valuable, there are often situations where gut feelings and intuition can provide me valuable insights that may not be immediately apparent.?

I know, this one is harder to describe, but nevertheless, I’ve made it my mantra to trust my gut whenever it speaks to me.