Nothing derails a career, or propels it, quite like failure. During OWL’s recent SoCal gathering, panelists Lisa Nijm, MD, JD, Jeanne Hecht, and Phil Gioia tackled “Failing Forward: Turning Setbacks into Success,” explored why mistakes are essential to progress and how the eyecare community can make better use of them.

First, Let’s Redefine “Fail”

Mistakes often feel like liabilities to hide. In clinical practice, they might involve a refractive surprise requiring a lens exchange, a dry‑eye therapy that underperforms in post‑market use, or a clinic expansion that misses financial targets. Yet treating these events as learning moments can turn them into catalysts for improvement.

Why Failure Belongs in the Success Conversation

 1. A proven catalyst for innovation

Across industries, companies that analyze missteps outperform those that conceal them. In eyecare where new devices, surgical techniques, and therapeutic pathways constantly emerge, examining what went wrong often uncovers the data that leads to safer procedures and breakthrough treatments.

2. Reducing the stigma

Medical culture prizes perfection, but research shows fear of mistakes limits experimentation and contributes to burnout. Research has found that work groups with higher psychological safety—where members felt comfortable discussing missteps—engaged in more learning behaviors and achieved better results.  Normalizing open discussion about errors can improve both psychological safety on clinical teams and patient outcomes.

3. Fast‑Track Success: Learn, Adapt, Repeat

In eyecare, real success isn’t defined by a spotless record but by how quickly and effectively teams learn from missteps. Organizations that measure progress by learning velocity—how fast they identify, analyze, and apply lessons—cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement that steadily elevates the standard of care.

Practical Steps for Failing Forward

Normalize the conversation

A refractive surprise that requires an unexpected lens exchange or a new diagnostic device that fails to gain traction in clinic workflow - talk about it.

Research backs up the power of these conversations. A study in the Journal of Surgical Research reports that routine, structured debriefings in the operating room enhance psychological safety, temper rigid hierarchies, and strengthen team cohesion. 

When failure stories are treated as case studies rather than confessions, the entire eyecare community benefits from a faster feedback loop and a culture that values growth over blame.

Lean on Mentorship & Community

Networks like OWL turn private stumbles into shared growth. Having a mentor who has faced and overcome similar pitfalls can shorten the recovery curve by providing perspective, accountability, and valuable connections. 

Formal mentorship programs like OWL’s Fellows program have been associated with higher career satisfaction and greater resilience among ophthalmic professionals. Engaging in these communities transforms individual challenges into collective growth moments and keeps insight flowing across generations of eyecare leaders.

Ask for help early

Silence can compound mistakes. Promptly reaching out to trusted colleagues often prevents a small issue from escalating into reputational or financial damage. Early input = fresh perspective = faster fix.

Design a Culture That Rewards Learning

Book an after‑action review within 24 hours of a setback; log “lessons learned” next to revenue stats; applaud smart risks even when they miss. A culture that celebrates thoughtful experimentation attracts innovators and pushes the whole field forward.

Final Takeaway

“Success in eyecare isn’t about never failing—it’s about failing better and growing stronger,” remarked  Lisa Nijm, MD, JD at the SoCal Chapter Program.  Failure isn’t a detour; it’s the fast lane - that is, if we use it right. By speaking up, leaning on mentors, asking for help, and rewarding reflection, we turn slip‑ups into safer surgeries, better products, and more resilient, happier teams.