Woops!

Did you know Finland dedicates an entire day to celebrating “failure”? I found out this week, thanks to the ever-informative @Sophie  Every 13 October, Finland marks National Failure Day (Kepä Päivä), encouraging individuals and businesses to share openly stories of setbacks. And I think it’s a cacking idea (although, I could fill more than a day with stories of things that did not go to plan).  Finland understands a simple truth: failure isn’t the end—it’s the foundation of innovation.  

 

 Failure = Learning in Disguise  

From Nokia’s decline in mobile dominance to startups that never took off, Finland’s cultural embrace of failure has fuelled its reputation as a hub for resilience and creativity. Schools even teach students to view mistakes as growth opportunities. As the Finnish proverb goes: “The one who never failed, never achieved anything.”  

 

 The Secret Sauce? A No-Blame Culture  

Businesses thrive when teams feel safe to take risks without fear of ridicule or punishment. Consider Google’s “20% Time”, where employees spend a fifth of their workweek on passion projects. Many “failed” experiments emerged, but so did Gmail and Google Maps. Or Pixar, whose candid post-mortem meetings after films dissect ‘what went wrong’—not ‘who’—to drive future success.  

 

In a similar vein, Tata Group’s “Dare to Try” Award honours failed initiatives that delivered valuable insights. As Chairman Ratan Tata said: “You can walk cautiously, but you won’t reach anywhere.”  

 

 Building a Failure-Friendly Workplace  

1. Normalise vulnerability: Leaders sharing their own failures sets the tone.  

2. Reward risk-taking: Celebrate “intelligent failures” (well-planned efforts that didn’t pan out).  

3. Focus on solutions: Ask “What can we learn?” instead of “Whose fault is this?” 

 

In a world obsessed with perfection, where ideal images and apparently perfect lives are constantly shared on social media, Finland’s approach is a timely reminder: Progress isn’t born from flawless execution—it’s forged through trial, error, and the courage to keep going.  

Celebrating 33 Years

The 4th January marks 33 years since I said "I do" in the atmospheric and historic Temple Church in London, surrounded by family, friends, and the echoes of centuries past. I wore a dress made by my stepsister and both my sisters were bridesmaids. Reflecting on this milestone, I’m struck by the resonance of the number 33—a number deeply tied to cycles, beginnings, and growth.

The moon takes 33 years to complete its full solar cycle, so tonight is the first time, since my wedding, that the moon is back in its original position. I intend to go outside tight and look into the night sky. The lunar calendar, with its 33-year cycle, shows that life often brings us back to where we began, albeit with new perspectives and deeper wisdom. Just as the moon waxes and wanes, our journey together has seen moments of light and shadow. The shadow can help you appreciate the light.

Staying on the theme of 33 - the human spine has 33 vertebrae, serving as the central support system for the body. Our marriage, like a backbone, has had to be strong and flexible - capable of withstanding the pressures of time while adapting to new circumstances. We are certainly very different from how we were 33 years ago.

Over the past three decades, we’ve navigated change, celebrated triumphs, and weathered challenges. Our two sons are, without doubt, my highlights. Each has developed into a clever, independent, successful young man led by clear values and I know that they have great futures ahead of them.

My anniversary is not just a celebration of the past but a reminder to continue evolving, adapting, and finding strength in shared experiences. Whether in personal relationships or professional endeavours, the lesson remains the same: resilience, growth, and renewal go hand in hand.

Here’s to embracing life’s cycles, cherishing the past, and looking forward to the journey ahead.

#AnniversaryReflections #CyclesOfLife #33YearsStrong