May 22, 2025 - “FAIL”… as in Failure, or as in First Attempt In Learning?

“FAIL”… as in Failure, or as in First Attempt In Learning?

- A Guided Conversation That Shifted Perspectives

 

We’ve all had those moments: the plans that fell apart, the projects that didn’t go the way we hoped, the things we just didn’t follow through on, etc.

It’s easy to label them as “failures” and quietly carry the weight.

But what if we looked at them differently?

That’s exactly what a small group of professional women and I explored in a recent Coaching-Infused Conversation I facilitated.

The topic?: “FAIL”… as in Failure, or as in First Attempt In Learning?

Setting the Scene: A Different Kind of Workshop

Unlike traditional workshops, this was an intimate, interactive space where each person reflected, shared, and moved from stuck to self-compassionate, without pressure or performance.

We began with a simple prompt:

“Think of a recent ‘fail’, something that didn’t go as planned or made you feel disappointed. Nothing traumatic, just something real.”

To start things off, I shared one of mine: I had planned to host my first LinkedIn Live… But just hours before, I realized I didn’t have the right streaming platform! I had to cancel last minute. I felt ashamed, unprepared… and honestly, a bit stupid!!!

Shifting the Lens: What Would You Say to a Friend?

Next, I asked the group:

“How did your ‘fail’ make you feel?”

They responded with honesty: frustration, embarrassment, even fear of judgment…

Then came a turning point:

“What if this happened to your best friend? Or a young intern you were mentoring? What would you say to them?”

I offered a few examples based on my own experience:

  • “You caught the issue in time! And no one was left hanging.”
  • “It’s not obvious tech; now you know for next time!”
  • “You were ready to speak live. That’s already a huge step forward!”

We reflected on how we’d want that friend or intern to feel - encouraged, supported, motivated - and then I asked:

“What would it take to say those same things to yourself?”

From Insight to Action

Participants shared thoughtful strategies: writing reminders, imagining a mentor’s voice, reconnecting with forgotten habits like journaling or letter-writing.

Then I asked the final question:

“What’s ONE small action you can take TODAY to help you reframe failure?”

My action? A quiet coffee break and some time spent looking up quotes. The one that resonated most:

“Failure is essentially a free education: How cool is that?” – Sophia Amoruso

Closing with Clarity and Confidence

We ended by asking what stood out, what shifted, and how participants now felt about that one small action they had chosen.

One participant said:

“This felt less like a workshop and more like a real moment. I actually feel lighter!”

 

That’s the power of Coaching-Infused Conversations: they’re not about fixing you. They’re about helping you see yourself, and your path, a little more clearly!

What’s Next for You?

Curious to experience a conversation like this for yourself?

About Christelle

I’m Christelle Soto-Suarez, founder of Pistachio-Cassis Coaching and a Self-Leadership Awakener.

My mission is to inspire, support and empower middle managers who feel stuck or unseen in their careers, and to help them take small but meaningful steps toward that “better life/career” they dream of, without the overwhelm.