Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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January 7, 2010

To FAIL Is Human, to Respond Is …

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:53 am

Who Always Gets a Perfect Score?

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So we put our heads and our hearts together into what we do.

In this environment, we think fast. We move fast. We execute with the information that’s available. Sometimes we make the wrong choice. Sometimes the other guy gets there first. Sometimes what we built doesn’t work the way we thought it would.

We could put up a sign to let folks know that working on it.

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But when the sign goes up often enough to become an icon, when people make new versions that involve Home Simpson and tattoos, then we’re an exponential FAIL. We all know about Twitter FAIL FAIL FAIL. But we’re not Twitter and we don’t have millions of new accounts signing on everyday.

One little fail can knock down a whole lot of good that we’ve built up.

What’s critical is our response.

When people point out a FAIL, stand beside them. Look where they are pointing.
It’s so much more productive than standing in front of them and feeling pointed at.

Always remember there’s a person on the other end of the issue.

To FAIL is human, to respond is more than service. That’s when humanity and character show through. Relationships built in a FAIL situation, often become FAIL SAFE in the end.

When has a FAIL served you?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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Filed under Customer Think, Marketing, Successful Blog | 6 Comments »




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6 Comments to “To FAIL Is Human, to Respond Is …”

  1. January 7th, 2010 at 9:10 am
    Square-Peg Karen said

    I’ve just been re-listening to Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication CD’s – (and re-learning deeper listening skills) and your soulful words (re)reminded me how important this is in business relationships too.

    “Relationships built in a FAIL situation, often become FAIL SAFE in the end.” This is so true! Thanks for the reminder!

  2. January 7th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
    Robin Dickinson said

    Thanks, Liz.

    Failure is well and truly on my team – probably in the front row.

    The most powerful service I get from it is that every time I fail others, I’m gifted with the opportunity to admit that failure – to admit that “yes, I failed, and here’s what I’m going to do about it.”

    It’s humbling and helps me to be just that little bit more compassionate with others. Because it’s OK to fail, isn’t it?

    Let’s face it, people will take many more risks, dig deeper into their resources and trial innovate much more if in the team culture – the work culture – it’s safe to fail.

    Fail-safe, as you put it.

    The damage surely starts when we delude ourselves and ‘pull the target over the bullet hole’ with the bravado and hubris of denial.

    Best, Robin

  3. January 8th, 2010 at 8:56 am
    Ben Curnett said

    I like this part:

    “When people point out a FAIL, stand beside them. Look where they are pointing.
    It’s so much more productive than standing in front of them and feeling pointed at.”

    Seems like someone that can always do that will be able to create something worthwhile.

  4. January 8th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
    melissa pierce said

    ahhh, failure, I know you so well. It’s as if you said… we’ll succeed together, but first “lets try to do it this way”

  5. January 9th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Ben,
    Yeah, I’m finding that the more I stand beside people, the better view I have of any situation. When I’m trying to align goals. it really helps to be looking in the same direction. heh heh

  6. January 9th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Melissa,
    You said it. Yeah, “We’ll do well, if we do it my way.” heh heh

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