The best Change Leaders find growth in adversity.
Released in July 2025, I wrote The Failure Advantage to capture and share the mindset required for personal and professional success. It will help you see your setbacks as fuel rather than failure.
The Failure Advantage
Why Setbacks Are Your Secret Weapon for Success
Change your relationship with failure, gain advantage from setbacks, and free yourself to do your best work.
Available at:
About the book
Fear of failure is quietly sabotaging your career and limiting your potential.
While you're busy avoiding mistakes and playing it safe, the most successful people have discovered something revolutionary: failure isn't something to fear—it's their greatest competitive advantage.
For most of us, the thought of failing triggers anxiety, perfectionism, and paralysis. We delay important projects until we're "ready," abandon bold ideas at the first sign of trouble, and waste Sundays dreading Monday's challenges. But what if everything you believe about failure is wrong?
In "The Failure Advantage," transformation specialist Matthew Egan reveals how reframing your relationship with failure can unlock unprecedented performance and creativity. Drawing from cognitive psychology, real-world examples, and his own setbacks, Matt provides a practical framework to:
Break free from fear-based decision making
Transform setbacks into valuable feedback
Build momentum through imperfect action
Create environments where innovation thrives
This isn't about lowering standards or celebrating mediocrity. It's about discovering why some people and organisations use failure as fuel for growth while others remain paralysed by the possibility of mistakes.
Whether you're an executive leading teams, an entrepreneur navigating uncertainty, or a professional wanting to reclaim the joy in your work, "The Failure Advantage" offers the tools to turn your relationship with failure into your most powerful asset.
The most successful people don't just tolerate failure—they transform it. Learn how you can too.
Why you should read
"I've worked with Matthew Egan and witnessed firsthand how his approach to failure empowers teams and unlocks potential. In ‘The Failure Advantage’ Matt shares his journey, learnings, and wisdom as a great reference to reflect on our own approach to failure providing practical strategies that any organisation or individual can implement.”
INAKI BERROETA, CEO TPG TELECOM (VODAFONE AUSTRALIA)
“The ability to learn from setbacks and use them as fuel for growth is an essential skill in today’s uncertain business environment. Matt offers exactly the advice leaders need to build resilience and pursue their true potential”
MARK JOHNSON, BOARD DIRECTOR AND FORMER CEO PWC
"If you're not embarrassed by your first product release, you've launched too late. This philosophy helped build LinkedIn, and it's at the heart of 'The Failure Advantage.' Through rigorous analysis and engaging storytelling, Matt reveals how our relationship with failure determines our capacity for innovation. This isn't just another book about resilience—it's the essential playbook for transforming setbacks into competitive advantage."
REID HOFFMAN, CO-FOUNDER OF LINKEDIN AND PARTNER AT GREYLOCK
10 things you’ll learn
1 Recognise when fear of failure is secretly driving your decisions and holding you back.
2 Break free from perfectionism that paralyses progress and prevents you from starting.
3 Reframe every setback as valuable feedback that accelerates your growth and learning.
4 Focus on what you can control instead of wasting energy on unpredictable outcomes
5 Start before you're ready and take imperfect action that beats perfect planning.
6 Build momentum through small wins that compound into extraordinary results.
7 Create psychological safety in your team while maintaining productive tension that drives excellence.
8 Turn your most embarrassing mistakes into your most valuable learning experiences.
9 Design systems that make continuous improvement automatic, even when motivation fades.
10 How to apply these principles immediately in your work and life to unlock your true potential.
…and more.
About the author
Matthew Egan is a business transformation and operations specialist with over 20 years of experience leading change at organisations, including Microsoft and PwC. Throughout his career managing teams, working with C-suite executives, and driving transformation projects, he has observed how setbacks can either limit potential or serve as powerful catalysts for growth.
Matthew is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, and recipient of multiple business accolades, but it’s his personal experience with anxiety and failure that shapes his approach. Having faced his own professional challenges, he’s passionate about helping others transform their relationship with failure.
Originally from Australia and now based in the UK, Matthew lives with his wife and son, who continue to teach him the most valuable lessons about embracing imperfection and finding opportunity in adversity.
