• Charity Case Blog
  • About
Menu

CHARITY CASE

Street Address
Toronto, Ontario
Phone Number
for the crazy, dedicated, didn't-know-any-better people who find themselves running nonprofit organizations

You're Custom Text Here

CHARITY CASE

  • Charity Case Blog
  • About

Lesson #18: We owe it to the world to fail

July 8, 2014 Krystyn Tully
I mean jeepers, does this LOOK like the face of a man destined for success in politics?

I mean jeepers, does this LOOK like the face of a man destined for success in politics?

You have an obligation to fail, if you work in the charitable sector.

The issues you tackle in this field - quality of life, poverty, violence, civic society - are huge. Failing means you tried. 

As important as it is, we aren't very good at talking about failure. Grantmakers and donors ask for success stories. The public looks for heroes. We're afraid that if we report a failure donor dollars will flee elsewhere - a different charity, a different cause. Success begets success.

Except too much "success" can be a bad thing. Because it means we didn't try something new, didn't take a risk, didn't explore. The issues we work on are too important for that.

Sometimes the people who try the hardest to succeed are the ones who need to be reminded that it's time to get out there and fail.

In Lessons to a younger self Tags failure
← What are you REALLY trying to do? Yes, you CAN run a great company when your customers can't buy what you're selling →

RECENT POSTS

Featured
Lesson #31: Are excuses holding you back?
Lesson #30: The most important work has no deadline. It's already due.
Lesson #29: Asking for money is the best
Lesson #28: Watch out for drive-by mentors
Lesson #27: Expect change, not progress

See All Posts

Follow Me

  • Krystyn Tully
    RT @LadyScorcher: @krystynt I’ve missed out on enjoying the lake SO MANY TIMES because I have to assume the city has polluted without… https://t.co/l7EJQPSjui
    about 4 days ago
Charity Case Blog RSS
Charity Case Blog RSS

Powered by Squarespace