How to Turn Public Failures Into Private Victories
Success doesn’t come with a clean, well-lit path. It comes with stumbles, faceplants, awkward moments, and often embarrassment. The truth? The cost of success is embarrassment.
You will fumble a presentation.
You’ll post content that falls flat.
You’ll have conversations you cringe over later.
And that’s exactly how it’s supposed to go.
If you want success, you need to be willing to pay that price.
Embarrassment as the Unspoken Toll of Success
Every high achiever, every leader, every founder has a story of an embarrassing moment that preceded a breakthrough.
In The Diary of a CEO, Steven Bartlett often discusses how the path to leadership and success is littered with moments where you feel exposed, vulnerable, and even humiliated. It’s in these moments that character is forged.
Consider how Kevin O’Leary, a guest on the podcast and a self-made billionaire, emphasizes grit and persistence above almost all else. O’Leary points out that failure and embarrassment are not just side effects but prerequisites for success. They are proof you’re trying. Proof you’re learning. Proof you’re showing up when most people would quit.
The Currency of Persistence
Success is not measured by how smooth your journey is but by how persistent you remain despite the bumps and bruises. Persistence is the true currency — it’s what buys you progress when all other things fail.
When you post content and it flops, that’s not failure. That’s feedback. When a presentation goes sideways or you forget your lines, that’s not defeat. That’s experience. When you have a conversation that later makes you cringe, that’s not embarrassment — that’s growth.
Entrepreneurs and leaders on The Diary of a CEO frequently talk about the “long game” — the daily, consistent effort, the small wins, the repeated attempts. This isn’t flashy or glamorous. It’s grinding in the shadows, often feeling invisible or unappreciated. But it’s what leads to lasting success.
Why You Must Embrace the Awkwardness
Most people want success without the embarrassment, without the awkward moments, without the discomfort. But it’s those uncomfortable moments that expand your capacity.
You don’t just “get good” by succeeding.
You get good by doing — repeatedly — and sometimes failing in front of others.
The discomfort stretches your confidence. It builds resilience. It forces you to confront your fear of judgment and failure head-on.
Steven Bartlett speaks candidly about vulnerability as the foundation of authentic leadership. When you share your mistakes, your cringeworthy moments, and your failures, you connect with people on a real level. And real connection fuels true influence and success.
Grit: The Anchor in the Storm
Angela Duckworth, a pioneer researcher on grit, defines it as passion and perseverance for long-term goals. Grit means pushing forward even when the road looks impossible. It’s the muscle that flexes every time you overcome embarrassment and try again.
Grit doesn’t eliminate failure or embarrassment — it powers through it.
Faith and belief in yourself and your purpose provide the emotional fuel to sustain grit. Many leaders credit their unwavering belief in God or a higher purpose as the source of their resilience. That belief anchors them when doubt, criticism, and failure swirl around.
Purpose: The True North That Guides Consistency
Consistency isn’t about motivation — which fluctuates — it’s about commitment to your purpose.
Your purpose is your compass when embarrassment tempts you to quit. It reminds you that every stumble is part of a bigger story. It shifts your mindset from instant gratification to long-term impact.
This is why the most successful entrepreneurs, leaders, and creators stay the course despite flops, awkward conversations, and public mistakes. They know their purpose transcends any temporary embarrassment.
Unwavering Belief in Self and God
Belief in yourself is the foundation of persistence. Without it, embarrassment becomes shame and failure becomes the end.
But belief is also a practice — a muscle you grow by facing discomfort head-on.
Many leaders also talk about the power of faith — faith in God, the universe, or a higher power — as a crucial part of staying consistent. Faith allows them to surrender outcomes, release control, and keep moving forward with peace even when the path is unclear.
How to Build Persistence Through Embarrassment
- Reframe embarrassment as progress. Every cringeworthy moment is evidence you’re pushing boundaries and growing.
- Document your journey. Like Steven Bartlett, sharing your struggles openly builds authenticity and reminds you how far you’ve come.
- Celebrate small wins. Success is a marathon of tiny victories, not one big leap.
- Surround yourself with believers. Community that encourages you fuels persistence.
- Anchor your actions in purpose. When you know why you’re doing something, embarrassment loses its sting.
- Practice self-compassion. Be gentle with yourself in moments of awkwardness or failure.
- Keep God or your faith front and center. Spiritual grounding provides peace and clarity amid chaos.
Real Success Stories from The Diary of a CEO Guests
- Steven Bartlett himself talks about days when he felt like a failure, being rejected repeatedly, and how he leaned into discomfort to build resilience.
- Kevin O’Leary shares how failure and public embarrassment on Shark Tank deals shaped his unstoppable drive.
- Other leaders reveal how persistence and grit — not talent or luck alone — moved them from obscurity to influence.
These stories teach us that embarrassment is not the enemy of success; it is the gateway.
Final Thought: Keep Paying the Price, Because It’s Worth It
If you want success, you must be willing to be embarrassed. You must be willing to look silly, stumble, and fall publicly.
Because the cost of success isn’t pain-free.
It’s vulnerability.
It’s persistence.
It’s unwavering belief in yourself, your purpose, and the higher power guiding you.
Every misstep is a down payment on your dreams.
So keep moving forward.
Keep showing up.
Keep embracing the embarrassment — because it means you’re alive, growing, and on your way.
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