The Hunt

At Artemis Consultants, we believe careers are built not on flawless execution but on resilience and growth. There is no manual to reference. Recently, we heard a phrase from an executive level candidate that captured this truth in a refreshingly human way: “I don’t know, this is my first time living!”

The comment came from a professional reflecting on a mistake that drew criticism from both a manager and family. His point was simple but profound: no one has lived before, so of course mistakes are inevitable. Life, and by extension careers, are a series of first attempts.

Why Mistakes Are Essential

Research consistently shows that mistakes are not just tolerable but critical to development. According to Harvard Business Review, organizations that embrace “intelligent failure” foster higher levels of innovation and employee engagement. Google’s well-known “psychological safety” research found that the most successful teams are those where members feel safe admitting errors and learning from them.

Mistakes:

• Build resilience and adaptability.
• Encourage creativity by testing boundaries.
• Strengthen leadership by modeling humility and accountability.
• Create opportunities for mentorship when senior leaders share their own missteps.
• Foster problem-solving skills by forcing new approaches.
• Humanize leaders, making them more relatable and trustworthy.
• Drive continuous improvement by highlighting what doesn’t work.

Early Careers (and Beyond)

In the early stages of a career, mistakes can feel devastating. Yet, these “first-time” failures often become the foundation of long-term professional success. A 2023 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report noted that employees who feel supported through mistakes are more likely to stay with an organization and develop into leaders.

But the truth is, mistakes remain part of the journey no matter your age or role. A senior executive might mishandle a board presentation. A seasoned manager might misread market signals. Experience reduces error, but it never eliminates it. What matters is how both individuals and organizations respond.

Creating a Culture that Allows Firsts

Companies that thrive do not expect perfection. Instead, they create environments where employees can:

• Admit mistakes without fear. Constructive conversations should replace blame.
• Reflect and recalibrate. Encourage employees to ask, “What did this teach me?”
• Seek support. Leaders should act as guides, not judges.

At Artemis Consultants, we work with organizations that understand growth comes from these very human moments. Careers are not defined by avoiding mistakes, but by learning from them and moving forward stronger.

Final Thought

The next time you or your team face criticism for an error, remember the wisdom of that simple phrase: “This is my first time living.” We all are navigating uncharted territory in our work and lives. By allowing space for imperfection, companies cultivate resilience, innovation, and ultimately—success.

Artemis Consultants recruits elite talent for Mid to C-Level positions for emerging and established companies of all sizes. We exist for two reasons. To help companies advance and grow by recruiting highly qualified talent. And to provide people career opportunities that positively impact their lives.

For more insights on thought leadership, check out previous blogs in The Hunt!