Fail Smarter (Paperback)

Lessons from the Best on Turning Setbacks into Breakthroughs

Dougal Shaw

Learn from others' mistakes with this enjoyable, immersive and practical guide

We must fail in order to succeed. We know it's true in theory - but what does it mean in practice?

This book reveals the methods that the world's most successful people use to embrace, overcome and learn from failure - and turn it into the fuel of their successes.

Drawing on hundreds of hours of conversations with millionaires, entrepreneurs and CEOs, Dougal Shaw tells the stories of their worst mistakes and lowest moments, and outlines their key lessons. Discover how to harness play, apply creativity, integrate feedback and learn to let go - along with the cutting-edge research that explains why these methods work. Packed with practical insight and real-life stories, this book shows how anyone can turn failure into success - and what that actually means.

'Shaw has a knack for capturing what makes bosses tick in a way which is always illuminating and surprising' THE TIMES

Publication date: May 7, 2026

£14.99

ISBN: 9781805224617

Imprint: Profile Books

Subject: Biography & Memoir, Business & Management, Self Help & Advice

Fail Smarter (Ebook)

Lessons from the Best on Turning Setbacks into Breakthroughs

Dougal Shaw

Learn from others' mistakes with this enjoyable, immersive and practical guide

We must fail in order to succeed. We know it's true in theory - but what does it mean in practice?

This book reveals the methods that the world's most successful people use to embrace, overcome and learn from failure - and turn it into the fuel of their successes.

Drawing on hundreds of hours of conversations with millionaires, entrepreneurs and CEOs, Dougal Shaw tells the stories of their worst mistakes and lowest moments, and outlines their key lessons. Discover how to harness play, apply creativity, integrate feedback and learn to let go - along with the cutting-edge research that explains why these methods work. Packed with practical insight and real-life stories, this book shows how anyone can turn failure into success - and what that actually means.

'Shaw has a knack for capturing what makes bosses tick in a way which is always illuminating and surprising' THE TIMES

Publication date: May 7, 2026

£12.99

ISBN: 9781805224631

ISBN 10 / ASIN: B0FLRQBBLC

Imprint: Profile Books

Subject: Biography & Memoir, Business & Management, Self Help & Advice

Fail Smarter (Audiobook)

Lessons from the Best on Turning Setbacks into Breakthroughs

Dougal Shaw

Learn from others' mistakes with this enjoyable, immersive and practical guide

We must fail in order to succeed. We know it's true in theory – but what does it mean in practice?

This book reveals the methods that the world's most successful people use to embrace, overcome and learn from failure – and turn it into the fuel of their successes.

Drawing on hundreds of hours of conversations with millionaires, entrepreneurs and CEOs, Dougal Shaw tells the stories of their worst mistakes and lowest moments, and outlines their key lessons. Discover how to harness play, apply creativity, integrate feedback and learn to let go – along with the cutting-edge research that explains why these methods work. Packed with practical insight and real-life stories, this book shows how anyone can turn failure into success – and what that actually means.

'Shaw has a knack for capturing what makes bosses tick in a way which is always illuminating and surprising' THE TIMES

Publication date: May 7, 2026

£24.99

ISBN: 9781805228240

ISBN 10 / ASIN: B0G14X2GXD

Imprint: Profile Books

Subject: Biography & Memoir, Business & Management, Self Help & Advice

Read by: Dougal Shaw

Reviews for Fail Smarter

'Sheds light on some very valuable lessons - ultimately leading to huge successes'

GREG JACKSON, CEO of Octopus Energy 

'The ultimate 'how-to-fail-in-snack-sized bites' guide (and survive). An entrepreneur's must-read '

MARCIA KILGORE, founder of FitFlop and Beauty Pie 

'Inspirational and practical. Shaw proves himself once again to be one of the best small business journalists in the UK.'

KATIE PRESCOTT, technology business editor The Times

'Dougal Shaw gets something most business books miss: failure isn't the opposite of success - it's 90% of the journey. Fail Smarter is a bracing, story-rich playbook for turning setbacks into breakthroughs, building cultures that learn fast, and leading with clarity over ego. If you're ambitious, read this before your next bet'

TIMO BOLDT, founder and CEO of Gousto 

'Fail Smarter is a superb exploration of what it takes to learn from things that go wrong - and shows why doing so is now every leader's most important job. Dougal Shaw's compelling prose and vivid stories bring a rare blend of empathy and practicality. Entrepreneurs and executives alike will learn how to turn failures into growth and innovation. To build organisations where people speak up, experiment, and treat failure as feedback, this book is a valuable resource'

PROFESSOR AMY EDMONDSON, Harvard Business School and author of Right Kind of Wrong 

'Failure isn't simply an occupational hazard, it is a prerequisite for success. Fail Smarter debunks the myths, reframes the fear and helps us understand how to harness its power.'

CHRIS HIRST, author No Bullsh*t Leadership

'Essential insights into understanding how to accept and process failure as the ultimate key to success'

JOANNA JENSEN, founder of Childs Farm and author Making Business Child’s Play

'A revelatory, optimistic book on why real business success is so often grounded in learning from past failures. Uplifting, accessible and inspiring - Dougal Shaw's clear message is how to build resilience and success in business life and beyond.'

GAVIN ESLER, author Britain Is Better Than This

'Dougal sheds light on some very valuable lessons in Fail Smarter. Even more importantly, he focuses on creating cultures which make it OK to try things and fail, ultimately leading to huge successes'

GREG JACKSON, CEO of Octopus Energy 

'Fail Smarter is admirably frank about the difficult realities of being an entrepreneur and does not shy away from facing these challenges head on. Yet it manages to be inspirational and practical too. Shaw proves himself once again to be one of the best small business journalists in the UK'

KATIE PRESCOTT, technology business editor at The Times 

'Praise for Dougal Shaw and CEO SECRETS'

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'Dougal uncovers the most engaging and unusual business stories. He has the knack for capturing what makes company bosses tick and their personality in a way which is always illuminating and surprising. A joy to read'

Katie Prescott The Times

'Intriguing and surprising'

Mishal Husain, broadcaster 

'Life lessons and rocket-booster business tips. Dougal Shaw has condensed years of insight into one hopefully, helpful volume'

Paddy O’Connell, presenter of Radio 4 Broadcasting House 

'An extraordinary and lively series of tips, insights and wisdom from some of the worlds top business brains. If you have ever wanted to start your own business or pursue an idea others say is impossible - CEO SECRETS might just be the inspiration you need'

Gavin Esler, broadcaster and author of How Britain Ends and Lessons from the Top 

'A fantastic resource to motivate people with an enterprising mindset ... featuring a host of entrepreneurs who share their journeys with honesty, humour and insights gained from hard-won experience'

Sharon Davies, CEO of Young Enterprise 

'A man who has met, interviewed and shaken down more entrepreneurs than I've had hot dinners'

Joanna Jensen, founder of Childs Farm and author of Making Business Child’s Play 

'Failure is not something most of us talk about - Dougal cuts straight through the shiny surface of entrepreneurship to examine what failure really looks like , and what the most resilient founders do with it'

 City AM

Dougal Shaw

Dougal Shaw