Don’t Be Afraid to Fail

“Take the job. Just don’t screw it up.” That’s what I told my friend almost ten years ago when he called me to ask for my opinion on his latest job offer. It was more money, more responsibility, and he wasn’t 100% he could do it.

Whether it’s a role that’s bigger, harder, or simply different, doubt almost always comes with the territory. The unfamiliar feels risky. The next level feels intimidating. And the fear of failing quietly creeps in. But I always tell candidates that I wouldn’t be representing them if I didn’t believe they could do the job. Now, whether they’ll like the job? That’s totally a separate question.

You Don’t Need to Feel Ready

Most people can perform in a different / leveled-up role if they commit to learning and hold themselves accountable. I’ve seen countless candidates power through two years of steep learning curves simply because they were focused and coachable. That’s really what matters.

Can you show up every day for two years and grow into it? If the answer is yes, you're more ready than you think.

That’s the real question, not “Will you be perfect on day one?”

You’re Supposed to Struggle a Bit

Sometimes I tell candidates, “In your first six months, you might hate me for placing you. But in two years, you’ll thank me.” And I mean it. New roles shine a spotlight on your gaps and stretch you. They demand more than your comfort zone is built for. And they should, because that’s how growth works.

And for the record, I rarely see someone stretch into a role and regret it later. I’ve seen plenty of people regret playing it safe, though.

Will over Skill

We talk a lot about “Investing in People.” And we have tons of conversations with our clients letting them know that the best hires aren’t always the most experienced. They’re typically the ones who want to get better, though.

Remember…

Final Thought: Don’t Fear the Leap. If you’re standing on the edge of a new opportunity—one that excites you and makes you nervous—lean into that. That feeling means you’re about to stretch.

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t even have to feel ready. You just have to show up, do the work, and trust the process.

And if you need help navigating the leap? That’s what we’re here for.