Season 5, Episode 33. Failure: Innovation’s Training Ground with Natalie Born
In this episode of Innovation Meets Leadership, host Natalie Born continues the Set It On Fire: The Art of Innovation series by diving into Chapter 7: Failure: Innovation's Training Ground. Joined by Moriah Hidden, Natalie explores why failure is not the opposite of innovation, but a necessary part of the process.
Together, they unpack the difference between failures and mistakes, the role of psychological safety in innovative cultures, how leaders can create environments where experimentation thrives, and why learning faster is often more valuable than being perfect. This conversation offers practical insights for leaders looking to build resilient teams that embrace risk, learn quickly, and continue moving innovation forward.
[00:00 – 04:12] Why Failure Is Essential to Innovation
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Why innovation naturally involves risk and uncertainty
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How failure provides valuable data, insights, and learning
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Shifting the focus from perfection to learning velocity
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Why organizations must stop treating failure as a personal flaw
[04:13 – 08:59] Psychological Safety & Learning from Setbacks
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The connection between psychological safety and innovation
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How fear-based cultures prevent honest conversations
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Signs your team may be afraid to speak up or take initiative
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Why leaders must create environments where mistakes can be discussed openly
[09:00 – 15:08] Failures vs. Mistakes: Understanding the Difference
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Defining the difference between a failure and a mistake
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Why leaders should respond differently to each
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The role of accountability, coaching, and learning
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How SOPs and clear expectations reduce preventable mistakes
[15:09 – 17:21] Fail Fast, Fail Cheap, Fail Often
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What “fail fast, fail cheap, fail often” really means
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Creating guardrails that encourage experimentation
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Using scorecards, decision frameworks, and spending limits
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Avoiding costly innovation projects that lack validation
[17:22 – 20:51] Staying Connected to Customers
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Why organizations build products customers don't actually want
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The importance of validating ideas early and often
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Listening for customer signals and feedback
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Removing internal bias during the innovation process
[20:52 – 26:20] Building Resilient Teams That Keep Innovating
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Why leaders should model vulnerability and share their own failures
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Celebrating learning—not just successful outcomes
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Conducting lessons-learned reviews and after-action discussions
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Creating a culture that rewards thoughtful risk-taking and growth
Key Quotes
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“Failure is only a waste if we don't learn from it.” – Natalie Born
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“If a leader treats a failure as a mistake, innovation will disappear in the organization.” – Natalie Born
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“Failure is not the opposite of innovation; it's part of the process that makes innovation possible.” – Natalie Born
Resources & Links
If this episode encouraged you, share it with a leader, entrepreneur, or innovator who wants to build a culture where learning, experimentation, and resilience drive long-term success.
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