Failure Quote by Ed Catmull
““How, then, do you make failure into something people can face without fear? Part of the answer is simple: If we as leaders can talk about our mistakes and our part in them, then we make it safe for others. You don’t run from it or pretend it doesn’t exist. That is why I make a point of being open about our meltdowns inside Pixar, because I believe they teach us something important: Being open about problems is the first step toward learning from them. My goal is not to drive fear out completely, because fear is inevitable in high-stakes situations. What I want to do is loosen its grip on us. While we don’t want too many failures, we must think of the cost of failure as an investment in the future.””
About This Quote
Leaders who openly discuss their mistakes normalize failure, turning it into a learning investment rather than a source of fear.
In simple terms: Open discussion of failures reduces fear and promotes learning.
Key Takeaway
Transparency about errors fosters growth.
Themes
Leadership
Psychology
Organizational Culture
Learning
Risk Management
Mood
Reflective
Encouraging
Optimistic
Type
Leadership advice
Organizational insight
When to use this quote
- Team debrief after a project
- Mentoring sessions
- Company all-hands meetings
- Crisis response planning
Key Concepts
Psychological safety
Growth mindset
Failure as investment
Practical Applications
- Implementing post‑mortem reviews
- Creating safe spaces for error reporting
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you model vulnerability without undermining authority?
- What metrics show that openness improves performance?
