Episode 16 - Fail Forward with Angus Logan

Failure can be scary. Still, it's one of the best ways to learn, especially in business and tech. In this episode, Angus Logan talked with me and Jason. He said that "failing forward" helps founders make better products and build stronger teams.

Why Failure is Good

Angus shared why failing quickly leads to big wins:

“Every PM should be failing first thing in the morning. Hit the model, see if it does what you want, and learn. Fail forward, then improve.”

— Angus Logan

You make mistakes early. Then, you learn fast and improve quickly.

My Take on Failure

After we sold our startup, we launched Outlook at Microsoft. We encountered some early hurdles:

“When we first launched Outlook, we had to scale servers on Amazon because Azure wasn't ready yet. The key was protecting our small-team culture from getting crushed by big-company machinery.”

— Kevin Henrikson

Jason and I agree that small teams can thrive in big companies. They can succeed if they stay agile and maintain their unique culture.

How to Fail Forward

Angus gave solid advice on how founders can accept failure:

Test Early: Don’t wait for perfection. Find what breaks, then fix it.
Support Small Teams: Encourage agility and build a distinct culture, even in big firms.
Stay Focused: Know who you’re building for and stick to your plan.
Keep Choices Open: Move fast as technology and markets shift.
Think Globally: Build products that anyone can use, no matter where they are—even on older devices.

LifeOps: Angus’s Smart Work Method

Angus spent two years living out of hotels and airports. He shared what that taught him:

Travel Light: Carry only what you need—never check your luggage.
Automate Decisions: Cut down on stress by choosing restaurants by their names.
Stay Flexible: Missed flights aren’t the end. Being adaptable is what counts.

5 Key Takeaways

Fail Forward: Mistakes help us grow.
Protect Your Culture: Be open to change when you’re with larger groups.
Clear goals: Helps you handle quick tech changes.
Work and Travel Smart: Choose easily, cut stress, and keep flexible.
Build Globally: Create for all people, everywhere.

Quick Bonus: My Podcast & Meeting Gear

Many of you have asked what equipment I use for meetings and podcasting. Here's my go-to gear—high-quality and budget-friendly:

These tools allow you to make high-quality podcasts and meetings in no time.

Final Thoughts from Me and Jason

Jason and I see failure as a teacher—not something to avoid. Founders who learn from failure adapt more easily. They build stronger products and better teams. Mistakes teach us lessons. These lessons help us grow and innovate.

Stay curious. Keep trying new things. Embrace your mistakes. This mindset transforms challenges into opportunities.

Keep building.

🎧 Listen to Episode 16 here: