Failure Is What I Did, Not Who I Am

Career Series | Part 8 What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't failure itself, but what you've been taught to believe about failure? In this episode of the *Career Series*, we sit down with *Rachel Franco*, founder of https://www.fail-smarter.com/, to explore how our relationship with failure shapes our careers, confidence, decisions, and willingness to pursue meaningful change. Drawing from her work in innovation enablement, leadership development, and organizational transformation, Rachel shares what she observed time and again: people often leave workshops, coaching sessions, and planning meetings energized and equipped with new skills, but when it's time to take a risk, try something new, or admit something isn't working, fear takes over. Together, we unpack why so many of us see failure as something to avoid at all costs, how those beliefs become embedded through our experiences and workplaces, and what it means to build a healthier, more productive relationship with failure. Rachel also shares the principles behind her *Fail Smarter Framework*, a practical approach that helps individuals and teams move beyond blame, reflect more intentionally, capture lessons learned, and turn setbacks into opportunities for growth and innovation. One of the most powerful ideas from the conversation: "Failure is what I did, not who I am." Whether you're considering a career pivot, pursuing a dream you've been putting off, recovering from a setback, or simply trying to build more resilience, this episode offers a refreshing perspective: failure isn't something to fear. When approached thoughtfully, it becomes one of our greatest sources of learning, courage, and forward momentum. In This Episode We Discuss: Why fear of failure keeps us stuck How our beliefs about failure are formed The difference between failure and identity Psychological safety and smart risk-taking Rachel's Fail Smarter Framework Turning reflection into learning and action Career pivots, experimentation, and self-trust How to recover more quickly and confidently when things don't go as planned Connect with Rachel: https://www.fail-smarter.com/   / rachelfranco