Why Not Fail?: A Conversation with the Hart Leadership Program

The guidelines of the previously “Why Not Fail? Challenge” have been revised and updated to reflect the intentions and core goal of this initiative. To promote a more reflective conversation about failure and what we can learn from it, we will not be awarding prizes for the best “failure,” but instead will invite those who submit a story to participate in a facilitated conversation (dinner included) on failure with fellow students, alumni, and Hart Leadership Staff. These round-table intimate discussions will occur on April 13th, 2022 from 6:30 to 8 PM.  The prompt and submission guidelines remain the same, outlined below. Once you have submitted a piece, an RSVP will be sent to you! 

Prompt: Tell us your thoughtful story about a time you’ve experienced failure. What did you learn from failure and what can others learn?

Description:  Welcome to the Why Not Fail? Conversation. Hosted by Duke’s Hart Leadership Program, the initiative aims to understand how leaders grow from failure.

Let’s face it, we’ve all experienced our own fair share of failure, and we’re all likely to experience it again. Maybe you failed a class or didn’t get an internship you really wanted.  Failure isn’t something to fear. The important part of failure is learning from it.  For the Why Not Fail? Conversation, we’re looking to hear about the varied ways that people learn from failure and the creative ways they put failure to work for the greater community.

Interested in participating? Your submission can fall into one of two categories: a 1-2 minute reflection (including Tik Tok or Instagram Reels) or a 5 – 10 minute monologue (including video or audio recording). Submissions can be of professional quality of amateur creations, but what truly matters most is that you are creative and thoughtful in your storytelling. Submissions can be from individuals or groups and individuals who submit will be invited to share their reflections at a round-table dinner discussion on April 13th.

Join the conversation by submitting a video at the link below. All reflections must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 28th. The dinner will be held on April 13th, 2022 from 6:30 PM to 8 PM.  We’re not looking for the most spectacular failure, we’re looking for the most thoughtful story. Share your story with us, because why not fail?

Link to submit your video: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2iBK8nd7orT2j9s

Criteria for 1-2 minute reflection: 

  • Must be a media format: short video, Tik Tok, Instagram Reel, etc.
  • Must be thoughtful and reflective.
  • Must protect people’s identities. People mentioned in your story should not be personally identified by name. Please use non-identifiable descriptions or pseudonyms.
  • Must not use copyrighted material without express permission.
  • Must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Monday, March 28th

Criteria for 5-10 video/podcast: 

  • Must be a media format: video or audio.
  • Must be thoughtful and reflective
  • Please use non-identifiable descriptions or names. Must protect people’s identities. People mentioned in your story should not be personally identified by name. Please use non-identifiable descriptions or pseudonyms.
  • Must not use copyrighted material without express permission
  • Must be submitted by 5:00 PM on Monday, March 28th 

If you have any questions about the Why Not Fail? Conversation, please email HLP’s Program Assistant Jessica On (jessica.on@duke.edu) or Director Gunther Peck (peckgw@duke.edu)