Reflection on Career Failures and Lessons Learned

🧵 Ever heard of a “Failure Résumé”? It might be the smartest career exercise you’re not doing. Here’s what it is—and why it can change the way you grow 👇 A failure résumé is exactly what it sounds like: Not a list of wins. Not your greatest hits. But your flops, screw-ups, and bad decisions. It’s uncomfortable—and incredibly useful. The idea comes from Tina Seelig at Stanford. She challenges her students to build a résumé of their failures. Then asks: “What can you learn from each one?” I made my own It wasn’t for the public. Just a long list of personal and professional misfires. Then I reviewed each one and asked: Was there a pattern? Was there a lesson? Turns out—yes. My biggest insights? Mistake #1: Starting projects based on untested assumptions. Assuming I “knew enough” instead of doing the homework. Mistake #2: Saying yes to things I wasn’t fully committed to. Half-hearted effort = half-baked results. Those 2 patterns showed up again and again. But here’s the upside: Once I spotted them, I could fix them. That’s the power of a failure résumé. It turns regret into direction. So try this: List your failures. Big, small, awkward, and ugly. Then ask: Where did I go wrong? What keeps showing up? There’s gold buried under the cringe. You don’t need to share it with anyone. Just be honest. Be curious. And if you don’t do it? Well… you might have to add that to your failure résumé too 😅

The science of my failures: how each setback shaped my brand When people see the highlights the followers, the impressions, the collaborations - it’s easy to assume the journey was smooth. It wasn’t. Behind every visible success, there were failures quietly shaping my brand. Looking back, I realised most of them fell into three categories: clarity, metrics, and boundaries. Over time, these became my framework for building a more resilient brand. Failure 1: Posting without clarity At first, I created content for everyone. The result? My posts reached no one. Lesson: A brand grows when you know exactly who you are speaking to, not when you try to please everyone. Failure 2: Chasing quick wins I once believed going viral was the ultimate measure of success. But most of those posts attracted the wrong audience. Lesson: Building a meaningful community is far more powerful than chasing vanity metrics. Failure 3: Saying yes to everything There was a time when I accepted every opportunity — collaborations, projects, even unpaid work. I thought it would speed up growth. Instead, it drained me. Lesson: Boundaries are not barriers. They are brand builders. Failure 4: Ignoring consistency There were phases when I posted randomly without rhythm or discipline. Each time I stopped showing up, the momentum disappeared. Lesson: Consistency compounds. The 2023 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report found that professionals who showed up regularly built networks and influence much faster than those who posted occasionally. As Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Each failure became data. Each setback a lab experiment. And slowly, the science became clear. 👉 Failures are not the opposite of success. They are the building blocks of it. Now, when something doesn’t work, I don’t call it defeat. I call it research. Because every failure has taught me something my successes never could. What’s one mistake that taught you more than success ever did? LinkedIn LinkedIn News India #FailureLessons #CareerGrowth #PersonalBranding #ProfessionalGrowth #Leadership

5 career fails (and lessons) I wish I’d learnt sooner: Fail 1: Feeling pressured to climb the career ladder.  There’s this weird pressure to move up the ladder without asking if it’s even worth climbing. But, progression isn't always upward. Progress can be sideways. Progress can be doing something bold and new. Progress can be saying no to the hustle. Progress is defined by you. Fail 2: Prioritising ‘what you do’ over ‘who you are’.  Who you are becoming is 1000% more important than what you do. If that job 'looks bad' on a resume but is making you a better person, it's a WIN. If the job looks epic on your resume but is soul-crushing, it’s not better. Your best career moves come from prioritising who you are becoming over what you do. Fail 3: Needing to have all the answers.  You don’t need to know it all or get it right all the time. Admitting when you don’t know and asking for help are some of the best career moves you’ll make. If you make a wrong move, you learn and grow from it. The fails make the wins way better. Fail 4: Confusing excellence and perfection. Excellence is a good standard, but don’t confuse it with perfection. Perfection stalls progress, learning and growth. A perfectionist’s version of ‘good enough’ is often everyone else’s version of excellence. Fail 5: Letting fear of failure stop you from doing something brave. Fear is the ultimate career-limiting move. One of my favourite reminders is from Daniel Pink’s book The Power of Regret. He found that people regret the things they *didn’t* do far more than the things they *did* do. He calls it a 'Failure of Boldness'. So, when your mate tells you to ‘back yourself’, they are probably right. Do the thing. Take the risk.

If failure was a supervillain, it would be Thanos. Looks all-powerful... but can be overcome. For years, I treated failure like the end of the story. The thing to avoid. The thing to fear. The thing that told me, definitively, “You’re not good enough.” But here’s what I’ve learned after 25 years of working in pressure-filled environments: Failure doesn’t close the chapter, it often writes the next one. A Stanford study on performance setbacks found something fascinating. When people were encouraged to reflect on failures as data, not identity, they bounced back faster, and improved long-term outcomes. → In fact, participants who reframed failure as a temporary result rather than a personal flaw showed 32% higher persistence rates. And there’s more. In sports psychology, it’s known as “constructive failure exposure.” Athletes who regularly face controlled failures in training develop faster reaction times and sharper decision-making under pressure. Why? Because they’ve felt the sting, and learned how to respond. That’s exactly how it’s played out for me. The shows that flopped. The deals that didn’t land. The podcast episodes that just didn’t connect. They hurt... yes. But each one taught me more than a win ever could. → They taught me to ask better questions. → To course-correct earlier. → To trust myself more when the next challenge came. Because once you realise failure doesn’t define you, you take away its power. So next time you feel like it’s all falling apart, remember: Even Thanos was beatable. What looks like the end might just be the turning point — but only if you’re willing to stand back up. You in?

In school, we’re taught that failure is something to avoid at all costs. But failure is actually required to reach your long term goals. Here are 5 ways failure helped me reach mine: 1. Building A Music Blog In 2011, I started a music blog. It never got more than 200 total visits. I eventually shut it down. But it taught me how to set up my own website and the basics of internet marketing, which allowed me to start Cultivated Culture without any funding. 2. Building A Social App In 2014, I had an idea for an app. I spent dozens of hours mocking it up and $1,000+ on prototype. Two weeks later, two other companies launched identical apps with venture funding. But it taught me the basics of developing a piece of software, and allowed me to build our current suite of job search tools. 3. Freelancing I wanted to change industries, so I freelanced to gain experience. I didn’t get any clients from the first 1,000+ emails I sent. But it taught me that “sales” and outreach are volume games, as well as giving me data that I eventually used to optimize, get clients, and leverage in my networking efforts to land referrals. 4. LinkedIn (Take 1) I shared my first piece of LinkedIn content in 2016. I did it for about two weeks before feeling dejected that I wasn’t getting any reactions or views. That eventually led to the realization that, if I wanted to grow, I needed to focus on creating content instead of outcomes at the beginning. 5. LinkedIn (Take 2) About six months later, I starting sharing LinkedIn content again. This time, I kept it up for a month before running out of ideas. I had to stop again, but it eventually taught me that creating content is about building a repeatable system vs. just writing when inspiration strikes. 6. The Outcomes Of Failing Every one of these failures taught me lessons that I eventually leveraged successfully down the road. I was able to start my own business and bootstrap it without needing funding or paid ads because of everything I’d learned from past mistakes and failed ventures. Every one of those experiences is a lesson, if you’re open to seeing it.

I give this advice to almost anyone who is starting their career… Make a CV of failure. Because my CV of failures is my greatest asset. When I first started out, I was obsessed with writing the perfect resume—polished, achievement-packed, and failure-free. Because that’s what growing up we’re taught, right? Only highlight the wins. But here’s what no one tells you: your failures are your real credentials. So, here’s my CV of failures—the one that shaped me more than any success ever did: ❌ Applied to my dream job—never even got a response. ❌ Pitched a big client—heard a polite but firm “not interested.” ❌ Tried managing without delegating—burnt out. ❌ Took on projects I wasn’t ready for—failed, learned, and tried again. Each of these felt like a dead-end at the time. But, trust me when I say this, they were not my failures, but the redirections that made me resilient, and strong. So, here’s my tip for young job seekers: Build your CV of failures. Own it. Learn from it. And let it fuel your growth. What’s one failure that shaped your career? Let’s normalise talking about it in the comments. #CareerGrowth #JobSearchTips #FailuresToSuccess #YoungProfessionals

I was raised with a simple formula: Set a goal, work hard, and success will follow. It’s what I learned growing up, and it shaped how I approached life and, ultimately, my career. I thought if I put in enough hours, showed dedication, and stuck to my path, I’d naturally rise. But the reality is far more complex. Navigating a corporate career isn’t just about hard work; it’s about strategy, relationships, and knowing how to play the game—things I wish I had understood earlier. Here are a few mistakes I made, and that many of us still make: 1. Believing Hard Work Alone Will Get You Ahead: I used to think staying late and working weekends would get me noticed. But the truth is, visibility matters more. If no one sees the value you bring, it doesn’t matter how hard you work. You have to make your work known, not just hope it speaks for itself. 2. Focusing only on Individual Performance: I was so focused on doing my tasks perfectly, I overlooked the importance of relationships. Careers are built on collaboration and influence. The people who advance are often those who know how to build networks, gain allies, and work with others to achieve success. 3. Ignoring Office Politics: I avoided office politics for a long time, thinking it felt manipulative or unnecessary. But whether we like it or not, office politics exist, and they often influence who gets promoted or sidelined. Navigating this doesn’t mean losing integrity—it means understanding how influence works. 4. Waiting for Opportunities: For a long time, I believed that if I just did good work, opportunities would come my way. But that’s not how it works. Creating opportunities—by asking for what you want, seeking out new projects, and positioning yourself as a leader before you have the title—is key to career growth. 5. Staying in the Comfort Zone: I played it safe for too long. We’re conditioned to avoid risks, but that mindset can hold us back. Growth comes from pushing your limits and stepping into roles you aren’t 100% ready for. It’s uncomfortable, but that’s where real development happens. The lesson I’ve learned? Building a career isn’t as simple as "work hard and it will happen." It’s about understanding how to navigate complexity, influence decisions, and build a brand that others recognize. If you’re feeling stuck, it might be time to rethink your approach and start focusing on strategy, visibility, and relationships. Are you relying too much on the formula of your childhood? If so, how can you shift your approach to navigate your career more strategically? #Leadership #CareerGrowth #CorporateNavigation #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerStrategy #Networking #OfficePolitics #CareerAdvancement #PersonalBrand #Influence

Show me your Failure Resume. Wouldn’t it be great if every candidate had to submit a Failure Resume when they applied for the job? We could require two-page resumes, and only accept resumes where page two is entirely devoted to Failure Highlights. Diving deep into the disappointments of someone’s career can help to uncover a person’s character, virtues, desires, and priorities. I have had many failures. Here is one to start: After a single-source funding strategy collapsed, I had to shut down my second nonprofit. It was no fun calling a meeting for our 100+ volunteers and three full-time employees to share the news and answer questions. I did not back down from the tough conversations and took an ego hit as a young man who believed I had a golden touch. I started being overly conservative with decisions for a few years after that experience, and it took a while for me to get my courage and tenacity back after that. What about you? What failures would you share and how did they help to form your leadership and worldview? 

Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them. Recently, I experienced a significant one: being laid off from my role in Recruiting. This unexpected change has prompted deep reflection on my journey and leadership style. I hope sharing my learnings will resonate with others in similar positions or help those who might face such challenges in the future. Here are some key mistakes I made as a leader: * Stopped Looking at New Jobs: I became complacent and stopped exploring new opportunities. The job market is constantly evolving, and staying informed is crucial, even when you’re content in your current role. * Hardly Networked for Myself: While I excelled at networking for others, I neglected my own professional network. Building and maintaining connections is essential for growth and new opportunities. * Didn't Have an Updated Resume: I failed to keep my resume current. An updated resume should always be ready at a moment's notice, as opportunities or changes can arise unexpectedly. * Was Too Loyal to Companies/People: Loyalty is a virtue, but being overly loyal can sometimes blind you to better opportunities. I stayed in roles longer than I should have, often to my own detriment. * Didn't Run When I Saw Red Flags: Ignoring red flags and hoping things will improve can be a costly mistake. Trusting your instincts and acting swiftly is critical when you sense trouble on the horizon. While it’s been a challenging period, these experiences have been invaluable in highlighting areas for growth and improvement. As I move forward, I am committed to learning from these lessons and ensuring they shape a more resilient, adaptable, and prepared professional path. To everyone out there navigating similar waters, remember: setbacks are setups for comebacks. Stay proactive, keep learning, and never stop evolving. #Leadership #CareerGrowth #LessonsLearned #Resilience #Networking #JobSearch

The biggest mistake I made in my career, and what it taught me. 👇 In my journey from transitioning out of the Army and into corporate America, I was faced with challenges and learning opportunities that were brand new to me. Considering I'm human, mistakes were among these opportunities. One mistake stands out as the most impactful: __ 𝑰 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈. __ For years, I followed the traditional path. I transitioned smoothly from military service to a stable corporate job. It was safe, predictable, and familiar. I was excelling in my role, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t truly fulfilled. I had dreams of making a bigger impact, of using my creativity and passion to inspire others, but I was too afraid to take the leap. Staying in my comfort zone limited my growth and potential. It wasn’t until I mustered the courage to resign from my corporate job without a two-week notice that I began to truly understand the power of stepping into the unknown. __ Here’s what this experience taught me: __ ➤𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒉 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒆: When you challenge yourself and take risks, you open up opportunities for growth and learning that you never knew existed. My decision to leave my corporate job led me to lean into new skills. (Not to mention new opportunities surfaced once I was committed and in alignment.) __ ➤𝑭𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚, 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕: The fear of failure and uncertainty can be paralyzing, but it’s important to remember that these feelings are temporary. Regret, on the other hand, can linger for a lifetime. __ ➤𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚: It’s easy to compare yourself to others and feel pressured to follow a conventional path. Embrace your individuality and make decisions that reflect your personal goals and aspirations. __ ➤𝑬𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚: Mistakes and failures are inevitable, but they are also valuable learning experiences. Each misstep teaches you something new and helps you grow stronger. ➤𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕: I now focus on creating impactful content, sharing my journey, and inspiring others to take control of their lives. __ Your Turn: Have you ever stayed in your comfort zone too long? What did it take for you to make a change, and what did you learn from that experience? __ #CareerGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #IntentionalLiving #GrowthMindset #Inspiration #HighImpactCreator