The fear of being wrong is killing your best ideas

The fear of being wrong is killing your best ideas

Read Time: 4.4-minutes

The Fear of being wrong is a Poison.

One of my favorite movies is Toy Story 4. 

When I watch it with my kids, I can’t help but admire Bo Peep. Seven years on her own—navigating the unknown, adapting, and thriving. She built her own path, no longer waiting to be part of someone else’s story.

That’s what stepping out on your own feels like. 

But I’ve seen many brands, designers, and founders fail to take the first step. They talk about growth and innovation, yet remain frozen.

They’re not afraid of change– they’re afraid of being wrong.

If you’re ready to transform your footwear brand, let’s talk. Book a free Discovery Call here.

Most Brands Die from Self-Imposed Limits

In footwear design, I see this pattern every day.

They study the market, trends, and what’s popular in the moment. It’s a reactionary business strategy that whether they realize it or not– keeps them stuck:

• Stick to the same factories because “we know their process.”

• Avoid trying new materials because “the old ones work fine.”

• Rely on familiar designs because “that’s what sells.”

The result?

Improvements become incremental. Strategy stagnates. And eventually business slows.

I get it. I used to feel the same way.

For over a decade, I was the women's footwear expert. 

It was my comfort zone—until it wasn't.

Innovation Lives Outside Your Expertise

A pivot changed everything. I was suddenly in charge of men’s footwear. No experience, leading a team of three.

What could go wrong?

Well, turns out, a lot could go right:

• The team boosted product margins by 3% in a year.

• The team took consumer sentiment from 30% to 95%.

Then I was tossed into sports with no prior experience.

I made it work through discipline, having a process, and adapting to new situations. 

When you're starting fresh, you ask questions others don't. 

You see opportunities others miss. 

You're willing to be wrong—and that's where innovation lives.

Turn Fear into Your Innovation Engine

After working with dozens of brands from startups to global corporations, I've identified three key innovation barriers. 

Here's how we break through them:

Barrier 1) Fear of Design Rejection

Old Way: Play it safe with familiar designs and hope they sell

New Way: Use creative direction and storytelling to build buy-in

For a recent licensee, we didn't just present new designs. We built a complete narrative around regional market needs. The result? A collection that spoke directly to their customers and got immediate approval.

Barrier 2) Fear of Core Product Updates

Old Way: Keep running the same carryovers until sales drop

New Way: Strategic Color Up and Material Up (CU & MU) enhancements

We revitalized a stagnant core product by introducing sustainable materials in key touchpoints. Sales increased 15% without changing the beloved silhouette.

Barrier 3) Fear of Technical Execution

Old Way: Limit innovation to what current factories say they can do

New Way: Detailed tech packs and prototype development that removes uncertainty

Working with an entrepreneur, we broke down an "impossible" design into clear technical specifications. The factory that initially said "no" became enthusiastic about the innovation once they saw our comprehensive tech pack.

We're not just designing—we're building bridges between creativity and execution.

Your Next Mistake Could Be Your Best Decision

Next time you feel that fear of being wrong creeping in, ask yourself:

• What's the real cost of playing it safe?

• What's the smallest way to test this idea?

• What's the worst that could happen—and can we survive it?

Remember: Every innovative design started as someone's "wrong" idea.

Cheers!
Erin

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