Have You Discussed Failures with Your Senior Leadership Team? Here’s What I Learned as an NPD Leader

As a New Product Development (NPD) leader, I recently had an insightful discussion with my senior leadership team about failures—a topic often overlooked in the pursuit of success.

Here’s the crux of our conversation:

“Failures deepen our experience, while repeated successes can sometimes diminish our appetite for risk.”

This perspective led to some valuable takeaways:

1. Failures Are the Foundation of Growth

Every failure teaches us something we couldn’t learn through success alone. For NPD leaders, where innovation and experimentation are constant, failures are essential stepping stones toward breakthrough solutions.

2. The Risk-Success Balance

Success often brings recognition and stability but can also create a bias toward playing it safe. In NPD, this risk aversion can hinder the very innovation needed to stay ahead.

3. Building a Resilient Culture

Encouraging teams to view failures as opportunities fosters a culture of resilience and creativity. This mindset enables teams to embrace challenges and push boundaries confidently.

4. Continuous Reflection

Both failures and successes deserve equal reflection. Failures guide us on what to refine, while successes remind us of what’s working well—but with a caution to avoid stagnation.

My Takeaway :

Failures are not setbacks; they’re lessons in disguise. Success is not a destination; it’s a motivator to explore more. Together, they shape us into better leaders and innovators.

Have you explored the topic of failures with your leadership team? What insights have you gained? I’d love to hear your thoughts!