What to say to your colleague when someone feels like a failure

This didn’t land, but your overall work has been strong. Let’s adjust and move forward.

Why it works: Professional reassurance.

Let’s look at what didn’t work and adjust from there. You’re not off track.

Why it works: Adjustment.

If it helps, we can revisit this together and figure out next steps.

Why it works: Support.

This happens in complex work—one miss doesn’t define your performance.

Why it works: Provide context.

If it helps, I can walk through this with you and figure out next steps.

Why it works: Offer support.

This is part of the process—let’s treat it as feedback, not failure.

Why it works: Reframe.