Rethinking failure: why experiments are strategy

“The only way to win is to learn faster than anyone else.” ~ Eric Ries

Most leaders celebrate success stories. But the truly great ones? They celebrate experiments - even the ones that fail.

Because strategy isn’t born from certainty. It’s born from curiosity, iteration, and the courage to test what others only plan.

Let’s talk about it in 2 minutes 👇

 🔥Today’s Spotlight

Rethinking failure

🔮The leadership moment

When Amazon launched the Fire Phone in 2014, it was a massive flop - costing the company millions.
But instead of hiding it, Jeff Bezos called it a “necessary experiment.”

Why? Because the lessons from that failure directly shaped Alexa and Echo - two of Amazon’s biggest long-term wins.

The Fire Phone wasn’t a failure, it was data.

That’s what innovative leaders understand: progress doesn’t come from avoiding mistakes, but from learning faster than everyone else.

🧠Why it works 

Research from Harvard Business School found that companies that run more small, controlled experiments outperform peers by up to 30% in innovation outcomes.

It’s called the “portfolio of experiments” approach — testing many small bets, learning quickly, and scaling what works.

In neuroscience, this mindset activates your brain’s “exploratory mode,” fostering curiosity and resilience - both key traits of adaptive leaders.

🤺Practice the principle

Try this today-
The 1-3-1 Experiment Rule:

When facing a challenge:
1️⃣ Identify 1 assumption you’re making. What belief are you relying on that may or may not be true?
2️⃣ Design 3 small experiments to test it. Keep them low-risk, fast, and measurable.
3️⃣ Reflect on 1 key learning - whether it worked or not. Document what surprised you or confirmed your thinking.

This simple shift turns uncertainty into insight. Instead of fearing mistakes, you will build a structured way to learn faster than anyone else.

✨ Pro tip:
Repeat this regularly with different assumptions in your team or personal projects. Over time, you’ll create a culture of experimentation where bold ideas are tested quickly, and every “failure” fuels smarter decisions.

🧭 Key takeaway for leaders

Don’t just ask, “What if this fails?”
Ask, “What might we learn if it does?”

• Encourage small, controlled risks to unlock insights.

• Treat assumptions as experiments, not certainties.

• Celebrate lessons, not just wins.

What’s one “failed” project you’ve had that might actually have been an experiment in disguise?

#Leadership #Innovation #Strategy #Experimentation #GrowthMindset

♻️If this resonated with you, share it with someone who leads with thought, not impulse.