Scott McInnesFounder and Director, Inspiring Change · 20+ Years Helping Leaders Build Stronger Cultures, More Human Communication and Embed Lasting Change | Founder | Keynote Speaker | Podcast Host

We celebrate success, what about celebrating failure?

16 Jun 2026 · 1 min

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In this brief multi‑speaker discussion, the participants argue that while recognition programs typically celebrate success, they should also celebrate failure because each failure contains a hidden success: it reveals dead‑ends and informs better future choices. They reference Denise Black’s "fail FAIR" concept—an acronym for "First Attempt In Learning"—as a concise way to frame failure as a learning step. The speakers confirm that the fail FAIR idea appears in their book and certification program workbook, indicating that they have institutionalized the practice of celebrating failure within their learning and certification materials.

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interesting that we talk about, you know, recognition programs are designed to celebrate success. Let's celebrate success. Actually, let's celebrate failure, because in every failure there is also success. We've tried something, we've tried going down a path, we've realized it's a dead end, and we know now we don't have to— we can just reverse back a little bit and try another path. And that's incredibly important. And I remember Denise Black, who's a friend of mine and a former podcast guest on here, she said that fail FAIR is simply an acronym for First Attempt in Learning.
Yeah, I like this acronym. Actually, I think we included it in the book too, right, Annette?
I think so, or it's definitely in our certification program workbook. It's in one of our books.
Yes, First Attempt in Learning.
I love that.