I often see a quizzical look when I suggest that fostering a “failure acceptance” mindset is critical for an organization’s success. It sounds counterintuitive, right? But I firmly believe in the principle championed by design firm IDEO: “Fail early and often to succeed sooner.” The key, however, lies in understanding the type of failure we’re embracing.

Big “F” Failure vs. Little “f” failure: A Crucial Distinction

When most people hear “failure,” they think of “Big F Failure”; those notable, costly debacles where a plan was rigidly followed, only to discover at the very end that the outcome was disastrously far from the intention. Think of infamous product launches like the Apple Newton or Microsoft Bob. These are the failures that can cripple a business.

But there’s another kind: “little f failure.” This is the practice of consciously checking small outcomes throughout a project or development cycle. It involves leveraging early and rapid prototyping, gathering regular feedback, and objectively assessing these “little outcomes” to determine if you need to adapt, pivot, or even discard an approach based on what you’re learning in the moment. These “little f failures” are not disasters; they are invaluable learning points that help you avert a potential “Big F Failure.”

This iterative, corrective approach is actually how our brains naturally operate. When you reach for an object, your movement isn’t one perfectly straight line; it’s a rapid series of micro-movements and course corrections ensuring your hand successfully arrives at its destination. “Little f failures” are the business equivalent of these essential adjustments.

The Dual Benefits of a “fail to avoid Failure” Mindset for SMBs

Implementing a “fail to avoid Failure” mindset, particularly when guided by strategic IT leadership, offers significant advantages for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs):

1. Drastically Reduces the Risk of Catastrophic “Big F Failure”: By testing assumptions and iterating in small steps (e.g., piloting new software with a small user group, A/B testing features of a digital service, phased rollouts of IT systems), you identify and correct issues when they are small and inexpensive to fix. This ability to adjust mid-course, or even wisely terminate a project that’s clearly not delivering, allows you to focus your finite resources on initiatives with the highest probability of success.
2. Unleashes Innovation and Differentiation: When your team feels safe to experiment and learn from these “little f failures” without fear of severe repercussions, they are far more likely to explore novel ideas and creative solutions. These small gambles, these intelligent experiments, are often the breeding ground for the breakthroughs that can become true differentiators for your organization.

Embrace Purposeful “Failure” to Win

So, go ahead and encourage your teams to fail; to fail early, fail often, and always, fail with purpose. Each “little f failure,” when viewed as a learning opportunity, moves you closer to success, helps you avoid those costly “Big F Failures,” and can ultimately put your SMB on a path to achievements you might have only dreamed of. As Woody Allen wisely noted, “If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign you’re not doing anything very innovative.”

What’s Next

In today’s dynamic environment, the ability to learn and adapt quickly is paramount. Embracing “little f failures” as part of an intelligent, iterative approach to your business and technology initiatives isn’t just a good idea; it’s a strategic imperative for innovation, risk management, and helping your SMB “Succeed Sooner.”

Is your SMB fostering a culture where intelligent experimentation and learning from “little f failures” are encouraged, especially in your technology and innovation efforts? If you’re looking for a partner to help you implement more agile, iterative, and risk-managed approaches to your IT strategy, let’s connect with Succeed Sooner Consulting.