We often hear that failure is life’s greatest teacher, but where does this belief really come from? It’s one of those sayings that’s repeated so often we take it as fact. That’s why I was so intrigued by this new research challenging that notion. It suggests that the idea we learn more from failure may just be a comforting myth rather than a universal truth. 🤯

But then, how do we reconcile this with the equally compelling evidence that says 15% failure is optimal for development? That’s the big question!

It’s easy to take sides when we encounter conflicting information. Yet, I’ve found a more rewarding approach is to hold both truths side by side and ask: How can they coexist?

As a younger leader, I was always on the hunt for “the right answer.” Now, I’m much more comfortable sitting with ambiguity and complexity, knowing that multiple truths can exist at once. This mindset shift has been transformative.

The desire to simplify complex ideas is a great strength, especially in leadership, and many organisations value it highly. However, when I coach or train others, I encourage a different skill: the ability to pause, sit with complexity, and consider all the possibilities. It might seem counterintuitive, but in that ambiguity lies choice and opportunity.

If two things can be true at once, it means there’s room to navigate. When science gives us a “rule,” we can ask how to become the exception. When challenges feel limiting, they may also hold unexpected potential.