What to Say Next After a Team Setback: Beyond the ‘F’ Word
We’ve been there too—project outcomes that don’t meet expectations, missed deadlines, or even complete strategy breakdowns. On the heels of a colossal team setback, it can be tempting to throw around words like “failure,” “fiasco,” or “disaster.” But what if you could be the one to change the conversation—to focus on the path forward instead of dwelling on setbacks?
What could a shift away from this F-bomb do for team morale, project outcomes, and even workplace culture?
The Problem With ‘Failure’
The term “failure” is more than just a word. It’s a narrative that can create a toxic work environment, stymie innovation, and prevent your team from adapting to change. Not only does it paint a bleak picture, but it also hinders a solution-oriented approach. After all, if something is a “failure,” where do you go from there?
Shifting the Paradigm for Better Team Setback Conversations
The power of language can be transformative, especially in how we perceive challenges and team setbacks. By shifting your team’s vocabulary, you can open the door to new solutions, foster innovation, and promote a culture of continuous improvement. Below are some powerful phrases to consider using as alternatives to “failure,” each aiming to bring a different kind of focus and motivation to your team.
1. “Let’s Consider This a Learning Opportunity”
Instead of singing the “Woe Is Us” blues, why not jazz things up by turning team setbacks into learning jams or post-project celebrations where you celebrate the effort and the learning?
Follow-up Prompts:
- “What’s one thing we each learned that we can jot down for our ‘How Not to Do It Again’ manual?”
- “What’s the one change that would have turned this ‘Learning Opportunity’ into a ‘Raving Success’?”
- “How do we ensure we don’t replicate the mistakes we made again?”
2. “What Can We Take Away From This Experience?”
It’s not about glorifying the rubble; it’s about looking for the gold in the ruins.
Follow-up Prompts:
- “Is there a golden nugget we missed in our initial plans that we should consider next time? Anybody got a metal detector?”
- “Were there any ‘Eureka!’ moments we had too late?”
- “What’s our strategy for panning for more gold the next time around?”
3. “This Didn’t Go as Planned. What’s Our Next Move?”
Okay, so our ‘Plan A’ turned into a ‘Plan Aargh” with this setback. But hey, that’s why the alphabet has 25 more letters!
Follow-up Prompts:
- “If we had to draft a Plan B—or C—right now, what would it look like?”
- “Which parts of Plan A are salvageable for the next iteration?”
- “On a scale of 1 to ‘Plan Z,’ how drastic of a change do we think we need?”
4. “We Missed Our Objectives. How Can We Pivot?”
Missing the mark sucks, but if basketball players quit after every missed shot, we’d never have any sports highlights.
- “What’s our rebound strategy? How can we slam dunk it next time?”
- “What barriers do we foresee in implementing this new approach?”
- “If we were to form ‘special teams’ for this pivot, what would they look like?”
5. “What Data or Insights Led Us Astray?”
Data is like your GPS. Most of the time, it gets you where you need to go; other times, you’re questioning why you’re at a dead-end street facing a wall.
- “Were there any red flags or odd metrics we should’ve paid more attention to? Any detours we should set on our ‘Do Not Enter’ list?”
- “What’s our plan for data verification next time?”
- “Should we be considering alternative data sources or analytic methods?”
6. “What Can I Do to Be Helpful Here?”
Think of this as the work version of offering to do the dishes after a dinner party disaster. It may not save the burnt turkey, but it’s a start.
- “Is there a specific area where my skills can plug a gap or lend a hand?”
- “Should we form sub-teams to think this through?”
- “Are there any external resources or tools that I can bring in to help?”
Implementing the Shift to Better Team Setback Conversations
So the next time you’re tempted to label your team setback a “spectacular mess,” take a beat. Your words can either be the anchor that sinks you or the wind that fills your sails. Why just survive a team setback when you can turn it into an opportunity for growth? After all, the only real “failure” here would be to miss out on that chance.
Want more powerful phrases for dealing with tricky situations?
See Also: How Leaders Use Failure to Thrive (Podcast) with Olakunie Sorivan
Very constructive.
Also iys what is really needed in rhe workplace if we’re to survive
Gregory, Thanks so much. I’m so glad.