The primary hindrance to innovation and change is often the fear of failure, despite the recognition that failure is a part of the learning process and can lead to valuable insights. David Hieatt, co-founder of Hiut Denim, the DO Lectures, and Howies, offers advice on how to embrace failure. He suggests that humans need both certainty and uncertainty. Certainty provides a formula to follow, but developing new formulas requires the willingness to be wrong and potentially fail. Hieatt reframes failure as a form of learning, advocating for a change in perspective that views failure as a “gift” rather than a stigma.
To ease the fear of failure, one strategy is to break down larger risks into smaller ones. This principle was confirmed in an independent research study called “The Upside of Uncertainty.” Hieatt adds to this by suggesting daily practice or gradual steps towards a goal, using the example of the successful band Radiohead. The band’s success was partly due to their collaborative approach, with different members contributing diverse inputs. However, the key to their success was their daily practice of learning and improving.
In conclusion, overcoming the fear of failure involves reframing failure as a learning experience rather than a setback. This