I recently came across a quote that stopped me in my tracks: “The people who are most comfortable with failure are also the most likely to attempt things that might fail… You build that comfort by failing and discovering it’s survivable.”
In the athletic communications industry, we are often perfectionists by necessity. We want the box score to be flawless, the press release to be typo-free, and the live stream to run without a single frame drop. Because of that pressure, it is incredibly easy to fall into the trap of "playing it safe." We stick to the same templates, the same workflows, and the same safe ideas because the thought of a public-facing mistake feels catastrophic.
But here is the reality of a 25-year career: the most significant growth rarely comes from the nights when everything went perfectly. It comes from the nights when the internet went down in the third quarter, or the stat software crashed during a record-breaking performance.
Failure is a Skill Set
Comfort with failure isn’t about being sloppy; it’s about risk management and emotional resilience. When you try a new creative video concept or a different networking approach and it doesn't land, you haven't just lost time—you’ve gained "survivability data." You realize that a post with low engagement or a botched introduction isn't career-ending. It’s just information.
For the student-athletes and young professionals I talk to, I always emphasize that the "fear of looking stupid" is the greatest thief of potential. If you wait until you are 100% certain of success before you attempt something, you will be lapped by the person who was willing to be 60% sure and 40% brave.
Building Your Resilience Portfolio
How do we practically build this comfort?
Iterate in the Open: Don't wait for a "perfect" final product to test a new idea. Try a small-scale version, see where it breaks, and fix it for the next game.
Audit the "Worst-Case Scenario": Ask yourself, "If this fails, what is the actual fallout?" Usually, it’s a quick correction and a lesson learned.
Share the Lessons: When something doesn't go as planned, be the first to analyze why. Transparency with your team about a mistake removes the "shame" of failure and replaces it with a strategy for next time.
The next time you’re hesitant to try a new strategy or reach out for a high-level connection because you’re afraid of the "no" or the "glitch," remember that survivability is built in the trenches.
Go out there, take the shot, and if it doesn't go in, take note of the rim's height and try again. You’re still here, and you’re better for the attempt.
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