Overcome Failure
Ready — Soichiro Honda was not an immediate success. Early in his career, he applied for a job with Toyota and was rejected. Undeterred, he began building piston rings on his own, only to see his early designs fail quality standards. During World War II, his factory was destroyed by bombing. An earthquake later finished what remained.
Set — Most people would have stopped. Honda did not. He salvaged what he could, rebuilt, and kept experimenting. After the war, Honda began attaching small engines to bicycles to help people navigate fuel shortages. What started as a simple solution became the foundation for the Honda Motor Company.
Honda succeeded because he . . .
Saw Failure as Feedback. Each setback refined his designs and thinking.
Experimented Relentlessly. He tested ideas and improved them where possible.
Solved Real Problems. His early motorized bicycles met immediate transportation needs.
Stayed Hands-On. He remained involved in engineering and innovation.
Refused to Quit. Destruction, rejection, and loss did not end his pursuit.
Grow! — Failure is not the opposite of success: It is often the pathway to it. Honda’s early failures prepared him for future success. Progress comes through iteration and Honda persisted, adapted, and learned. Don’t fear failure or stop experimenting. Learn from failures and keep improving.
Two Questions
How did you respond the last time you failed?
What is one thing you’ve learned from it?