Why we should fear Stagnation more than Failure

Lessons from York Zucchi on starting, learning, and moving forward

“I am more scared of stagnation than I am of failure.”
– York Zucchi, entrepreneur & startup mentor

That one sentence from York during our Risk and Rise episode hit hard – not because it was dramatic, but because of how deeply practical it is.

Most professionals, especially those of us who care about doing great work, are terrified of failing. We’re taught to get things right. To look good. To protect our reputations. But as York shared in this honest conversation, it’s not failure that ruins us.

It’s staying still.

When we stall, we shrink

York works with entrepreneurs around the world – thousands of them. And he sees it again and again: people with brilliant ideas waiting to perfect their pitch decks, websites, branding… until months (sometimes years) have passed, and nothing’s live.

That’s not ambition. That’s fear in disguise.

“We all sit in front of our laptops, building pitch decks. But we’re not talking to customers.”
– York

He shared the example of how someone tested an idea using nothing but a business card. Literally, just a business card with the concept on it. They handed it out, started conversations, and discovered there was demand. It didn’t require a perfect website or a polished MVP.

It required motion.

Failure teaches. Stagnation doesn’t.

One of York’s own experiences shows this beautifully. Years ago, when he started a project around improving healthcare access, he didn’t wait for full clarity or a comprehensive strategy. He picked up the phone. He asked questions. He went to the clinics and saw what was actually happening.

He figured things out as he moved.

“If you ask the right questions, people want to help. They want to get involved.”
– York

If he had waited until he “had it all figured out,” none of it would’ve happened. That project went on to positively impact over 3 million patients.

Why professionals struggle with this

To be honest, for those of us in corporate, consulting, or coaching roles, we’ve been rewarded for competence, not experimentation. We want the presentation to be clean. The message to be polished. The outcomes to be guaranteed.

But that approach often leads to overthinking.

York put it plainly: “You don’t need 400 tools. You need to have a conversation.”

So many people avoid starting something new because they don’t want to get it “wrong.” But the truth is, if you’re trying something meaningful, it will be messy.

That’s not a flaw. That’s the only way.

How to break out of stagnation

Here are 4 strategies York shared that can help professionals get moving:

1. Use your WhatsApp status to test ideas.
Start putting your idea out into the world in the simplest way. York recommends just changing your status to something like:
“I’m exploring tools to help freelancers get paid faster. Curious?”
This costs nothing and often leads to valuable conversations.

2. Make two specific asks per week.
Reach out and ask someone for something clear and small. Not just “Can you help?” but “Can you connect me with someone who’s run a podcast?” or “Would you review this one-pager?” Specificity opens doors.

3. Launch before you’re ready.
The Startup Tribe community that York supports has bite-sized learning (like my short course on difficult conversations) and quick, implementable tools. But most people don’t even finish the content – they get value from just starting.
The message? Start small, start fast.

4. Stay generous.
This one’s powerful: York builds his brand by giving without expectation. Sharing knowledge, introductions, support. It creates momentum, and a network that responds when he does need help.

Final thought: failure leaves clues. Stagnation doesn’t.

Here’s the real difference: when you try something and fail, you learn. You gather data. You adjust.

When you stagnate?
You just get stuck. No new insights. No forward motion. Just… waiting.

“I don’t have a problem with someone failing. I have a problem with someone not doing anything.”
– York

So if you’ve been sitting on an idea, waiting for things to be “ready,” this is your sign.

Don’t fear falling short. Fear standing still.
Even a wrong turn is better than no turn at all.