Failure is your program’s secret weapon.

Here’s an uncomfortable truth:

Your program will fail at something.

Maybe it’s a misaligned partnership.

Maybe it’s an event that flopped.

Maybe it’s a pilot cohort that didn’t deliver results.

But failure isn’t the enemy—it’s the greatest teacher you’ll ever have.

The difference between programs that succeed and those that fade out isn’t avoiding failure. It’s learning from it, fast.

Today, we’ll break it down into three parts:

1. Embracing failure as a part of the process

2. How to make data-driven decisions when things go wrong

3. Real-world examples of successful pivots

Let’s dive in.

1. Embracing Failure as a Part of the Process

Failure stings. There’s no sugarcoating it.

But here’s the thing: every successful program has failed at something.

The difference lies in how they respond.

When failure happens:

• Pause, don’t panic: Take a step back before rushing into reactive decisions.

• Ask better questions: What went wrong? Why did it happen? What can we learn?

• Normalize failure with your team: Create a culture where setbacks are seen as growth opportunities, not career-ending disasters.

Mindset Shift: Failure isn’t final—it’s feedback.

When your team knows failure is part of the game, they’ll take smarter risks and bounce back faster.

2. How to Make Data-Driven Decisions When Things Go Wrong

When failure strikes, emotions run high.

That’s why data matters—it cuts through the noise and shows you what’s actually happening.

Here’s how to use data to pivot effectively:

• Identify Key Metrics: What are the most important numbers tied to your program’s success?

• Look for Patterns: Are there recurring issues showing up in your data?

• Run Small Experiments: Before overhauling everything, test small changes to see if they move the needle.

Example: If participant engagement in your program drops halfway through, don’t cancel the program—adjust your mid-point activities and measure again.

Data doesn’t eliminate uncertainty, but it makes your next steps smarter.

3. Real-World Examples of Successful Pivots

Every great success story has a plot twist.

Example 1: Slack

Before becoming a workplace messaging giant, Slack started as a gaming company. When the game failed, the team realized their internal messaging tool was the real gem—and they pivoted.

Example 2: Airbnb

Their first business idea? Selling air mattresses in their living room to conference attendees. It wasn’t scalable, but it gave them insights they used to build one of the biggest travel platforms in the world.

What do these examples have in common?

• They listened to feedback.

• They focused on what was working instead of clinging to what wasn’t.

• They acted decisively.

Sometimes, the best way forward isn’t a straight line—it’s a sharp turn.

The Takeaway

Failure isn’t a bug in the system—it’s a feature.

1. Embrace failure as part of the process: Normalize it and learn from it.

2. Use data to guide your decisions: Trust the numbers, not your panic.

3. Look at pivots as opportunities: Some of the best programs were born from failed ideas.

This week, take one step:

• Reflect on a recent setback in your program.

• Write down three lessons you can extract from it.

• Identify one experiment you can run to address it.

The faster you learn, the stronger your program becomes.

Talk soon,

Yaniv