Dearest Darling Friends,

Ever had an investment (or a project) fall flat — and wondered what it said about your leadership?

If yes, then, let me share this quote from Miles Davis that changed how I think about the moments following a failure.👇

“It’s not the note you play that’s the wrong note—it’s the note you play afterwards that makes it right or wrong.”

It stopped me in my tracks:

I read it three times.

At first, I loved it as a music lover – it’s classic Miles – full of nuance and rhythm.

But then it hit me on a deeper level.

It’s also a perfect metaphor for leadership.

It makes me reflect.

Last year, I invested in a project that failed miserably.

It was a big one.

– lots of visibility
– ⁠lots of expectations
– ⁠lots of effort
– ⁠lots of investement.

Despite a talented team and our best planning, things faltered.

Deadlines slipped.
Results were mixed.
There was that awful, sinking feeling of this isn’t working.

I remember sitting in the conference room after the final review, exhausted and very very embarrassed.

The ‘wrong note’ had been played.

We had to write off the entire investment. And it was a significant investment.

That’s where Miles’ quote comes in.

Because what really mattered wasn’t the write off—it was what I did afterwards.

Instead of hiding behind fixing blame or cursing our luck, we chose to lean in.

We talked honestly about what went wrong, owned the gaps, and asked what we would do differently next time.

Something surprising happened.

The process of bouncing back brought the team closer.

The experience made us sharper, more open, more innovative and more resilient.

The next note was a very simple 3 step process.

1. Pause
2. ⁠Reflect
3. ⁠Find (the next note).

I realised, the best leadership moments aren’t in the perfect performance, they are in the beautiful recovery.

What is your hack to bounce back?

Have you been inspired by a quote that brings you out from the dumps and fills you with chutzpah?

Would love to know it if you have a minute to share.