From Collapsing Towers to Rising Leaders: The Power of  Experiential Learning 

By Otilia Qaraman, Founder and Director at Excellence Online Academy

In leadership education, failure is not an accident — it’s a design. 

At Excellence Online Academy, we create safe environments where students can take risks,  make mistakes, and grow — because true leadership is not built in comfort zones. 

Too often, young people are taught to avoid failure at all costs. But in reality, failure is a vital  teacher. It develops resilience, sharpens decision-making, and unlocks creativity. 

� Take Judy, one of our students in the teen entrepreneurship programme. During the  Marshmallow Tower challenge, her structure kept collapsing. At first, she felt frustrated — she had great ideas but struggled to bring them to life. We navigated the moment by making  the activity fun and constructive. Instead of focusing on the failure, we shifted her attention to  experimenting with different designs and understanding teamwork dynamics. By the end,  Judy was not only laughing but also reflecting deeply on the value of prototyping, flexibility,  and persistence in entrepreneurship. 

� Then there’s Asal, who turned the same challenge into a community event. She invited  her whole family to participate in the activity live online! Watching their excitement,  cheering, and creative input reminded us of the power of collective learning. It was no longer  just about building a tower — it became about building connection, teamwork, and shared joy  in learning. Moments like these show how these exercises go beyond the individual,  strengthening family bonds and community engagement. 

� In another session, a student delegated all tasks without clear roles, which led to  confusion and delays. Through reflection, she learned the importance of clear communication  and role definition — a lesson far more memorable than any theoretical lecture. 

These experiences might seem small, but they are transformative. They teach young leaders: 

�� Adaptability — plans will fail, but leaders adjust. 

�� Resilience — success is built on learning from setbacks. 

�� Collaboration — leadership isn’t about doing it alone, it’s about empowering your team.

�� Community engagement — learning becomes richer when it involves families and shared experiences. 

When we create environments that normalise failure as part of the learning journey, we  prepare future leaders to handle uncertainty with courage and clarity. 

�� In a fast-changing world, this is not optional — it’s essential. 

Let’s shift the narrative. Instead of shielding young people from failure, let’s equip them to  grow through it.

Discover more at www.onlineexcellence.org.uk/academic-development.