Episode Description
From building products at Microsoft to leading companies as a founder, Armin Sadeghi has seen success from the inside. But his biggest insight challenges the way most people think about failure.
In this episode, Igor Vainshtein sits down with Armin Sadeghi to break down why failure is not something to avoid, but a necessary part of growth. Drawing from his early business ventures after leaving Microsoft, Armin shares how moving too slowly to build a prototype and failing to get rapid customer feedback became the foundation for his long-term success.
The conversation explores how society defines success, why most people never question it, and how redefining your own criteria, or "acceptance criteria", can change how you operate in both business and life. This episode offers a practical framework for thinking about failure, decision-making, and building momentum through action.
What You’ll Learn
- Why failure is not an endpoint but a continuous learning process.
- The severe cost of moving too slowly and ignoring rapid customer feedback loops.
- Why you shouldn't bootstrap a capital-intensive business or try to solve massive market problems as a side hustle.
- How reading biographies can serve as a powerful tool to learn from the failures of others.
- How redefining success as a daily practice changes your decisions and priorities.
About the Guest
Armin Sadeghi is a technology leader and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience building and scaling products. He previously worked at Microsoft, where he contributed to globally scaled products, and has since held executive roles, including CTO and General Manager, across multiple industries. He focuses on best-practice product development, strategic planning, and solving genuine business problems.
About the Host
Igor Vainshtein is a serial entrepreneur, founder of GolfTrak, and best-selling author of Practical Manifestation and The Agile Manifestation. On his podcast, How I Failed This, Igor strips away the entrepreneurial highlight reel to explore failure as a vital tool for growth, focusing on building resilient leadership and uncovering the raw, practical lessons that only come from navigating life in the arena.
Books and Concepts Mentioned
- Biographies as a tool for learning from others’ failures.
- Agile methodology and iterative development.
- Feedback loops and rapid validation in product building.
- Success as a self-defined "acceptance criteria" rather than a societal metric.
Follow and Connect
- Armin Sadeghi: LinkedIn | Website
- Igor Vainshtein: LinkedIn | Website
