When Failfluencing... Success Still Matters.

There’s a genre of content that’s been making its rounds on social media for years—let’s call it "failfluencing." You know the type: someone waxes poetic about their many failures, positioning themselves as some kind of Zen master of missteps, with the promise that "I learned so much!"While learning from failure is undoubtedly valuable, here’s the kicker: if you’ve never been successful, why should anyone care about your failures?

Before you grab your pitchfork, hear me out. This isn’t about trashing the importance of resilience or the ability to bounce back. It’s about asking a fundamental question: Where is the credibility?

Success Is the Ultimate Context

Failure, on its own, is just a data point. Success is the context that makes failure compelling. If Steve Jobs talks about his missteps, we’re all ears because he’s also the guy who revolutionized tech. But if a person’s track record is exclusively a string of failures with no success in sight, it’s harder to take their advice seriously.

Think about it: Do you really want to take financial advice from someone who’s only ever been broke, or fitness tips from someone who’s never been fit? Probably not. The same principle applies to the "I failed my way to greatness" crowd—there’s got to be some greatness to back it up.

The Failfluencer Flex

In many ways, failure has become trendy. People are eager to share their struggles because it humanizes them, and sure, we all love a good underdog story. But when "failure stories" become a marketing gimmick rather than a stepping stone to actual progress, they lose their meaning.

Worse, it sets up an unspoken narrative that failing (and broadcasting it) is an endgame in itself. It’s not. Failure isn’t a badge of honor; it’s a stepping stone on the path to real accomplishment. Failure without success is just…failure.

Why Success Still Matters

Success matters because it shows you know how to apply the lessons learned from failure. It’s proof that you’ve figured out how to navigate your way through the mess and come out stronger. Success is what turns a cautionary tale into a roadmap for others.

Without success, the lesson falls flat. It’s like saying, “Here’s what NOT to do,” without offering any insight into what actually works. That’s not a lesson—that’s a monologue.

Authenticity Over Aesthetic

The appeal of "failfluencing" is that it feels authentic. Vulnerability is relatable. But let’s not confuse relatability with credibility. Being authentic about your struggles is great—if it’s accompanied by a demonstration of growth and success. Otherwise, it’s just a therapy session disguised as advice.

The Takeaway

Here’s the real lesson: Fail, learn, but succeed—and then talk about it. Celebrate the wins that came because of the failures. If your failures haven’t yet translated into success, maybe keep grinding until they do. Otherwise, your audience might just see your story as another tale of woe, rather than a source of inspiration.

So, the next time someone starts their “I learned so much from failing” spiel, ask yourself: What did they do with that knowledge? If the answer is “nothing yet,” you’re not obligated to listen.

Success isn’t everything, but when it comes to storytelling, it’s the thing that makes failure worth hearing about.