Reframing ‘Failure’ as a Stepping Stone for Founders, According to Lise Kuecker

In a recent LinkedIn post, Lise Kuecker offers a nuanced perspective on failure, particularly for founders, emphasizing that setbacks are not endpoints but crucial parts of a growth process. Kuecker frames these challenges as inevitable but not defining, providing a roadmap for navigating them constructively.

Kuecker begins by acknowledging the inherent pain founders can feel when facing setbacks, especially after investing significant time and effort into their ventures. She highlights that the fear of failure can often amplify the perceived severity of mistakes.

Failure is inevitable. But it doesn’t define your leadership.

According to Kuecker, the key lies in understanding failure not as a final verdict, but as a cyclical process. She outlines a clear sequence for founders to follow when encountering difficulties:

1. Stumble to the ground.
2. Tend to your wounds.
3. Get to the heart of what happened.
4. Figure out what you can learn.
5. Understand where things went wrong.
6. Make a plan for next steps.
7. Get back in the saddle.

Distinguishing True Failure from Iterations

Kuecker argues that this structured approach helps founders re-evaluate the magnitude of their challenges. She points out that many situations perceived as catastrophic failures are, in reality, opportunities for iteration and improvement.

In the past decade of running businesses, I can count the true failures on one hand. Those are the kind that I wouldn’t do again no matter what. But I have made countless mistakes and iterated hundreds of ideas. Nothing is perfect on day one. You improve until “good” becomes excellent.

This distinction is critical, as Kuecker explains. She notes that while true failures are rare and represent paths that should not be revisited, mistakes and the need for iteration are common. The ability to discern between the two is a skill that develops over time and with practice.

The Skill of Identifying Iteration Needs

Kuecker emphasizes that identifying when a venture or idea needs more refinement, rather than being a definitive failure, can be challenging, especially in the early stages. However, she asserts that with consistent practice, founders become more adept at recognizing these patterns.

The trick is knowing when something’s actually a failure versus when it just needs more iterations. Early on, that can take a while to figure out. But the more you practice the skill, the faster you can catch things.

Kuecker concludes her post by encouraging founders to critically assess their current situations. She poses a direct question to those experiencing difficulties:

If you’re sitting in what feels like failure right now, ask yourself: Is this actually the end, or am I just mid-process?

Her insights, shared on LinkedIn, serve as a valuable reminder to the entrepreneurial community that setbacks are an integral part of the journey, offering lessons and opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.