Why failing at something new can make you a better employee

Nobody enjoys failure. It’s uncomfortable, discouraging, and sometimes downright embarrassing. But here's something that successful people rarely admit: failing at something new can be one of your greatest career advantages.

Failure teaches humility and openness

When you succeed at everything you do, it’s easy to believe you have all the answers. But encountering setbacks forces you to stay humble and curious. These are traits employers love because humble, open-minded employees tend to:

• Collaborate better with colleagues
• Contribute positively to workplace culture
• Seek help and feedback more readily

Consider the employee who tries a new project management software and initially struggles with it. Instead of giving up, they ask for help, showing both humility and openness. In doing so, they improve their skills in teamwork and communication, both of which are crucial in almost every role.

Resilience grows from setbacks

Think about resilience like a muscle: it only gets stronger when it faces resistance. Employees who’ve stumbled and bounced back are often better equipped to handle stressful situations or unexpected challenges later on.

For example, imagine you botch a presentation. Yes, it stings at first. But by analysing what went wrong and trying again, you build up your resilience and become more capable of handling pressure. Resilience is a powerful skill you can cultivate, and it’s especially valued in dynamic or high-pressure work environments.

Failure sparks innovation and creativity

Innovation rarely springs from comfortable, predictable situations. It thrives in spaces where uncertainty and experimentation exist. When you're willing to risk failing at something new, you're more likely to discover unique, creative solutions to old problems.

Take the employee who attempts a bold new marketing strategy that doesn’t pan out. The experience isn’t wasted. In fact, it can reveal hidden insights or spark new ideas, leading to innovative approaches in future campaigns. Employers value this type of creativity and strategic thinking highly.

Better decision-making comes from experience

Experiencing failure firsthand can sharpen your decision-making abilities. When you encounter what doesn’t work, you’re better prepared to evaluate risks and outcomes next time.

Let's say you tried to streamline your team's workflow, but it inadvertently slowed everyone down. That setback can help you:

• Identify potential pitfalls more clearly
• Develop better risk management strategies
• Strengthen your critical thinking skills

Failure builds stronger empathy

There’s nothing like experiencing failure yourself to build genuine empathy for others going through similar struggles. Empathy is a key component of emotional intelligence, a critical skill that enhances leadership, teamwork, and overall organisational effectiveness.

Picture yourself mentoring a colleague who struggles with a new software tool. Because you've faced similar frustrations, your ability to provide meaningful support and guidance increases significantly, helping build stronger, more supportive professional relationships.

In short, while failing at something new isn’t pleasant, it has significant benefits that can enhance your value as an employee. Skills like resilience, humility, creativity, and empathy are often forged in moments of struggle, not success. And these skills don't just help you recover from setbacks; they actively boost your professional growth and effectiveness.

So next time something doesn’t go according to plan, see it as a win rather than a loss.