Failure is not something to avoid. It is something to plan for. In this episode of Slackers, Jaime Solis and Jonathan Sasse unpack why meaningful work always carries risk, why failure is often misunderstood, and how leaders can distinguish between reckless risk and strategic risk. They explore how preparation, transparency, and clear definitions of catastrophe allow teams and creators to move forward with confidence instead of fear.
Most organizations say failure is not an option. That belief sounds strong, but it often leads to fear, hesitation, and brittle decision making.
In this episode, Jaime Solis and Jonathan Sasse challenge that idea by reframing failure as a natural and necessary part of doing work that matters. They explore the difference between reckless failure and strategic failure, and why the real question is not whether failure might happen, but whether you are ready for what happens next.
The conversation moves through real world scenarios leaders face when launching products, entering critical seasons, or deciding whether to hit the gas. They discuss why many teams only plan for the outcome they want, how that creates fragility, and why defining true catastrophe is one of the most important leadership exercises you can do.
At its core, this episode is about preparedness, not pessimism. It is about building playbooks, narrowing the extremes, protecting teams from burnout, and creating cultures where risk is acknowledged rather than denied. Because the people who do their best work are not the ones who avoid failure. They are the ones who know how to recover, adjust, and keep going.
–––
🎧 Listen and subscribe: Slackers Pod Homepage
💼 Connect with Jonathan and Jaime:
We want to hear from you!
🤔 Do you have a question you'd love to ask us, or a topic you think we should dive into on the show? You can leave us a voice message right here!