Coaching teams through failure

The paradox of team success

The path to team success often seems paradoxical. It’s not about avoiding failure but embracing it as a catalyst for growth. Setbacks are an inevitable and essential part of this journey.

But, the true measure of a team’s strength lies in how they respond to failure: their resilience, mutual support, and ability to extract lessons to emerge stronger and more determined.

But what distinguishes high-performing teams from the rest?

For me, it is Value and Belonging. Take Google’s Project Aristotle, which identified psychological safety as the cornerstone of high-performing teams, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, where belonging and esteem form the basis for personal and group fulfilment.

Thus, I help develop the following in teams:

• Recognition: Everyone’s contribution matters

• Meaningful Work: Motivation flourishes when people feel their work has a purpose, knowing their efforts contribute to something bigger

• Impactful Contributions: Individuals find satisfaction when they are empowered to shape their roles to contribute meaningfully

• Respect for Identity: DE&I research continually demonstrates respect for individuality, someone's identity boosts engagement and performance beyond recognition of their skills or title

  
  

These elements create a foundation where care, collaboration, and trust can thrive. This isn’t just about creating a “happy” team—it’s about building an environment where everyone feels deeply invested and genuinely connected.

Of course, I'm a realist too. Failure has its costs; it can challenge morale, strain relationships, and stretch resilience. But, by fostering value and belonging, leaders can transform these challenges into opportunities. Techniques like retrospectives, failure celebration rituals, and promotion of Carol's Dwecker's growth mindset are just some of the ways you can do this, and lay the groundwork for a high-performing team.