LinkedIn — numbered lessons
We spent [time] on [project]. Here is what I would tell myself at the start: 1. [Lesson]. We [what happened]. Next time: [change]. 2. [Lesson]. We [what happened]. Next time: [change]. 3. [Lesson]. We [what happened]. Next time: [change]. The lesson I am least sure about: [one you are still thinking through]. What would you add?
X — single mistake
A mistake that cost us [time or money]: We [what you did] because [why it seemed right]. What actually happened: [outcome]. What we do now: [new practice].
X — 5-post thread
1/ [Number] lessons from [project or period]. Short thread. 2/ [Lesson 1 in one sentence, then one sentence of evidence.] 3/ [Lesson 2.] 4/ [Lesson 3.] 5/ If I had to keep only one: [lesson]. Full write-up: [link]
Bluesky — one takeaway
One thing [project] taught me: [Takeaway in one sentence.] We learned it by [short story].
Tips
- Make every lesson falsifiable: it should say what you did, what happened, and what you will do differently.
- Include the cost of the mistake in time, money, or customers. It proves the lesson was earned.
- Admit at least one lesson you are unsure about. It invites replies and signals honesty.
- Avoid naming or blaming colleagues. Keep the focus on decisions and processes.
Frequently asked questions
How many lessons should a lessons learned post include?
Three to five is enough for LinkedIn or a thread. One well-explained lesson often performs better than ten vague ones.
Should I post about failures publicly?
If the story teaches something and does not harm customers or colleagues, yes. Readers tend to trust people who share what went wrong alongside what went right.