Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time, built his legacy not just on success but on how he responded to failure. At a time when businesses and leaders are navigating rapid change and uncertainty, one of his most-cited quotes continues to offer a powerful lesson in resilience and growth.
“I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
The line, closely associated with Jordan’s iconic Nike “Failure” commercial, has become shorthand for a mindset that reframes setbacks as a necessary step towards achievement.
Failure as a mechanism, not a setback
Jordan’s message is simple: failure is not the opposite of success; it is part of the process that leads to it. In business, this translates into learning from missed targets, flawed strategies and decisions that do not deliver expected outcomes.
Rather than romanticising failure, the quote underscores the importance of what follows it. The real advantage lies in analysing mistakes, extracting lessons, and returning with a sharper approach. This idea of continuous iteration was central to Jordan’s career, where improvement came from identifying weaknesses and systematically addressing them.
Why the quote matters now
The relevance of this mindset has increased in today’s environment of rapid technological and economic shifts. Organisations are under pressure to adapt quickly, experiment with new ideas and make decisions with incomplete information.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, skills such as resilience, adaptability and creative thinking are becoming critical as companies respond to structural changes, including the rise of artificial intelligence.
In such a landscape, success is less about avoiding mistakes and more about learning faster than competitors. Teams that can test ideas, fail in controlled ways, and adjust quickly are better positioned to sustain growth.
Effort versus inaction
Jordan reinforced this philosophy in another widely quoted line: “I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”
Together, the two quotes highlight a broader leadership principle. Failure is a byproduct of effort, but inaction represents a missed opportunity altogether. The distinction is crucial in high-stakes environments where hesitation can be as costly as a wrong decision.
Lessons for leaders and teams
For business leaders, the takeaway is practical. Building a culture that treats failure as a learning tool, rather than a source of blame, can improve decision-making and innovation.
This includes regularly reviewing setbacks, testing ideas through small experiments, and focusing on process-driven metrics alongside outcomes. Equally important is maintaining the confidence to act again after a setback, rather than retreating.
A mindset that endures
Jordan’s career arc, from a college standout to a six-time NBA champion and global business figure, reflects this philosophy in action. His influence extends beyond sport into leadership and strategy, where his approach to failure continues to resonate.
As organisations grapple with uncertainty and change, the lesson remains relevant: success is rarely built on avoiding mistakes, but on responding to them with discipline and persistence.
“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed,” said Theodore Roosevelt.
That idea neatly captures the mindset Jordan embodied, one where effort, risk and recovery are essential to long-term success.
(Disclaimer: First draft of the copy is AI-generated.)
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