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Lanetta Allen, Founder

The Role of Failure in Success

March 26, 2025

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

Michael Jordan

Failure. Just the word can make our stomachs drop. In a culture that celebrates wins and highlights overnight success stories, it’s easy to believe that failure is something to avoid at all costs. But here’s the truth: failure isn’t the opposite of success – it’s a key part of it.

Whether you’re launching a nonprofit, building a small business, or chasing a bold personal goal, setbacks aren’t signs that you’re off track. More often than not, they’re the very things shaping your future success.

Failure = Feedback

Every stumble, misstep, or idea that didn’t quite land is packed with insight. Failure teaches us what doesn’t work, helps refine our goals, and reveals where we need to grow. It’s information, not a verdict.

The entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers we admire didn’t avoid failure – they learned from it. They listened to the feedback, adjusted course, and came back stronger.

Failure Builds Resilience

Starting something new – whether it’s a business, a nonprofit, or a community project – requires guts. And things won’t always go according to plan. But every time you fail and get back up, you’re building resilience.

You learn that you can survive a tough season. You can navigate uncertainty. That strength becomes your foundation for the next big leap.

Failure Grows Confidence (Yes, Really)

We often think confidence comes from getting everything right. But true confidence? It’s built when we face challenges head-on, survive the mess, and realize we’re still standing.

When you know you can handle failure, you stop fearing it – and that opens up incredible possibilities.

Redefining Failure

Sometimes we set ourselves up for disappointment by defining success too narrowly. If the only “win” is perfection or instant results, anything less feels like failure. But what if success is also learning something new, trying something hard, or making a small but meaningful impact?

Redefining what success looks like in different seasons can help you appreciate your progress, even when the outcomes aren’t exactly as planned.

In summary, failure isn’t a sign that you should give up. It’s often the clearest sign that you’re in the game. That you’re trying, growing, and doing work that matters.

So the next time something doesn’t go as planned, take a breath. Reflect. Learn. And remember – you’re not failing; you’re becoming!