Failure is an inevitable part of business. Maybe it’s losing a sale, missing an opportunity, or getting distracted by another prospect. Whatever the case, failure often opens the door to insight. It’s how we figure out what works, what doesn’t, and how to move forward. The key is using these moments to strengthen team communication—so everyone understands what happened, what was learned, and how to improve together.
But when failure strikes, letting your team know isn’t always the easiest conversation. When it does, follow Arden Coaching’s tips for how to gracefully let your team know that you dropped the ball.
Be Honest and Take Responsibility
The most important thing when communicating a loss to your team is to be honest. Making excuses or deflecting fault tends to create confusion and controversy. Don’t dance around contributing factors; bite the bullet and take responsibility for the end result. Thank them for the effort they put into the task or project and apologize that it didn’t go as planned.
We know this is often the hardest part. It takes real leadership courage to admit when you’ve made a mistake. But when you communicate openly and take responsibility, you model the kind of honesty that strengthens team communication and trust. Your team will respect you more for it and feel more connected to you as a leader. At the end of the day, you’re human, just like them, and acknowledging that truth creates space for stronger, more authentic relationships.
Be Upfront About the Consequences
More than just admitting your faults, you need to make sure that your team knows the consequences for what happened and what this means for them. You lost a presentation with an important prospective client, so what will come next? Does this mean more work for them? Ramped-up efforts? Active pursuit of another direction?
Make sure your team understands what comes next and why. Give them the opportunity to ask questions and talk through the plan. When you communicate clearly and directly, it reinforces alignment and helps everyone move forward with confidence.
Share What You Learned
Every time you drop the ball has the chance to be a learning experience. You want to make sure that you share what you’ve personally learned or taken away from what you did (or didn’t do). What can your team now count on from you moving forward that they couldn’t before? Once you determine what that something is—I should have prepared and practiced sooner. I promise I’ll never leave all of my prep work to the night before a pitch—the key to this whole process is making sure that you actually uphold your promise!
Drop the Ball, Catch It Again, and Get Back on Track
Time to get back up on your feet and try again. Acknowledging and owning your mistakes is crucial, but it’s just as important not to let setbacks define you. Use the experience to strengthen team communication—let your team in on what you’ve learned and how you’re moving forward. When you stay open and optimistic, your team is more likely to rally with you. Together, you’ll come back stronger and more connected.
Team Communication
Top-performing teams rely on trust and effective team communication to function at their best. But strong teams don’t form instantly. It takes ongoing effort from leadership to create an environment where people feel safe speaking up and staying aligned. When communication breaks down, even the most talented teams struggle to stay connected and focused. That’s why team communication isn’t just a skill; it’s a culture leaders must actively build and maintain.
If your team is struggling with communication, trust, or collaboration, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Arden’s experienced coaches specialize in helping teams identify what’s holding them back and create the conditions for lasting change. Learn more about our customized offsite facilitation programs, or reach out to schedule a consultation. We’re here to support your team’s growth—every step of the way.