Instructor Resource
Neck, Entrepreneurship, 1e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Chapter Exercises and Projects
Chapter 11: Learning From Failure
Chapter Learning Objectives:
2. Identify several different types of reasons for failure.
4. Explain the different ways entrepreneurs can learn from failure.
Proposed Activities
Activity 1: Failure and its Impact
(This can be done solo or as a team exercise; it can be used for online, face–to-face, or a
blended format)
Based on your network of colleagues identify people who have experienced “failure” as
entrepreneurs. How did the failure impact them? How did they make sense of the
failure? What were short-term effects? Long-term effects? What were the reasons for
their failure?
Learning Objectives:
2. Identify several different types of reasons for failure.
Instructor Resource
Neck, Entrepreneurship, 1e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Activity 2: How do you approach failure
(This can be done solo or as a team exercise; it can be used for online, face–to-face, or a
blended format)
How an entrepreneur interprets failure or set-backs is instrumental in long-term
success. What are your personal beliefs about failure? List ten beliefs you have about
failure including:
I believe that failure means that I am…
As a next step, evaluate the credibility of each statement. What evidence do you have
that supports each statement? What are alternative explanations? What beliefs are
consistent with a gritty mindset?
Learning Objectives:
1. Describe failure and its effect on entrepreneurs.
3. Describe the consequences of fear of failure for entrepreneurs.
Activity 3: Global Fear of Failure
(This can be done solo or as a team exercise; it can be used for online, face–to-face, or a
blended format)
Based on the results of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report (GEM), compare
Learning Objectives:
1. Describe failure and its effect on entrepreneurs.
3. Describe the consequences of fear of failure for entrepreneurs.
Activity 4: Grit
(This can be done solo or as a team exercise; it can be used for online, face–to-face, or a
blended format)
As discussed in the chapter, according to Duckworth, grit is the quality that enables
people to work hard and sustain interest in their long-term goals. Grit is also related to
resilience, not just in the face of failure, but in perseverance to stick to long-term
commitments and goals.
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How gritty are you? What do you think about the results? Any surprises? Do you think
this is a valid indicator of your personality? Is grit a valid indicator or entrepreneurial
success?
Learning Objectives:
2. Identify several different types of reasons for failure.
4. Explain the different ways entrepreneurs can learn from failure.