551. Expert Interview: The Beauty of Failure

John David Mann

John David Mann and some friends started their own high school when in their teens. It was quite successful for a number of years. He is now an award-winning author whose books have sold more than two million copies, including the bestselling classic “The Go-Giver.” His book “Take the Lead” was named by Tom Peters and the Washington Post “Best Leadership Book of 2011.” His latest book, a culinary parable, is called, “THE RECIPE.”

The Beauty of Failure

“Failure is our companion because we’re not very good at controlling the universe. We do try–we just aren’t very good at it. The Universe, a greater power, will toss things, strew things in our path that may seem like obstacles at first, but they often turn out to be opportunities.”

Why Is This Important?

“Most of my books have been business flops, even the ones that I am very proud of. ‘The Go-Giver’ has not been a flop; it’s been a business success. Yet it was rejected 22 times by publishers in New York. Not until our 23rd submission was the book published. A lot of my books that I love the most have never found large audiences. Even on this path of writing–that has worked out so well for me–I keep thinking I’m finished with failure. But failure is apparently not finished with me because it keeps happening.”

What Are the Key Lessons Learned Here?

“Despite the twists, turns and walking into walls, I love the way it is. I don’t mean it in a Pollyannaish way. In our world, that is where growth comes from. Growth comes from untenable situations, impossible circumstances, ideas that have no chance of succeeding. Seeds arise out of impossibility. That is where the generation of growth springs up.”