In June 2010, when Brené Brown took to the stage at TEDx Houston, she hoped that no one would be watching. In fact, she thought it could be disastrous for her career as an academic at the University of Houston if they were. 

“I thought, oh my God, I hope no one sees this, because I will lose my career as an academic. By all accounts, that felt like a failure. I cried for a week.” But head of TED, Chris Anderson told her she would be featured on the main website. “I thought this was the biggest failure of my career to date.”

Over a decade later, Brown’s TED Talk has nearly 60M views. She’s become a household name for her work on shame, vulnerability and leadership, and has written six number-one New York Times bestsellers. 

Reflecting on the talk that launched her success, Brown muses: “Failure is in the eye of the vulnerable.” 

Without the acceptance of failure, the freedom to pursue success is hindered. Failing is a necessary and inevitable part of life, and one that we should learn to embrace – because with it, comes innovation, creativity and growth. 

Here’s what you might have missed this week:

• Larry Fink responds to criticism of stakeholder capitalism in his annual letter to investors – The Financial Times
• What happens now: how to move on after failing – The Atlantic 
• Why we should use the office as a precise tool rather than a blunt instrument – Harvard Business Review
• Paying to do good: business leaders reflect on Faber’s ousting and weigh in on the purpose vs profit debate – Time 
• A pristine coral reef discovered off the coast of Tahiti gives hope for more deep-water reefs that have avoided the impact of climate change – The Guardian
• Failing is necessary for success: Steven Bartlett talks vulnerability, business and toxic masculinity with Elizabeth Day – How To Fail Podcast
• Technology vs regulation: how to keep innovation moving – The Economist Films
• Avoiding failure hinders our growth – Fast Company