“The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”
This powerful call to action comes from Franklin D. Roosevelt. He delivered these words during a pivotal moment in American history. The quote captures a spirit of pragmatic courage. It champions action over inaction, especially during times of crisis. Moreover, it provides a timeless blueprint for progress in any field, from governance to personal development. Roosevelt’s message urges us to embrace trial and error. It reminds us that standing still is often the greatest risk of all.
The Historical Crucible of the Great Depression
To fully grasp the weight of these words, we must understand their context. Source Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke them in his commencement address at Oglethorpe University on May 22, 1932 . At that time, the United States was deep in the grip of the Great Depression. Unemployment was skyrocketing. Banks were failing. Consequently, a sense of hopelessness permeated the nation. The old methods of economic management had clearly failed, yet leaders seemed paralyzed by indecision.
Roosevelt, then the Governor of New York and campaigning for the presidency, offered a starkly different approach. He rejected rigid adherence to failed ideologies. Instead, he proposed a dynamic, flexible strategy. His message was not just a political promise; it was a fundamental shift in the philosophy of governance. He argued that the government had a duty to act, to experiment with new solutions to pull the country out of its economic despair. This philosophy would later become the hallmark of his New Deal programs, which were a series of bold, and sometimes controversial, experiments.
Deconstructing a Philosophy of Action
Roosevelt’s quote can be broken down into several core principles. Each one offers a valuable lesson in leadership and problem-solving.
Bold, Persistent Experimentation
The first part, “bold, persistent experimentation,” sets the tone. The word “bold” implies a willingness to take significant risks and challenge the status quo. “Persistent” highlights the need for resilience. It suggests that a single attempt is not enough. Progress requires a continuous cycle of trying new things, learning, and adapting. This is the opposite of a cautious, wait-and-see approach. Roosevelt understood that the scale of the crisis demanded an equally scaled response. Therefore, small, timid steps were insufficient.
The Common Sense of Trial and Error
Next, he frames this approach as “common sense.” This wording is brilliant. It makes a radical idea feel practical and accessible. He states, “It is common sense to take a method and try it.” This demystifies the process of innovation. He suggests that we should not get lost in endless debate or theoretical analysis. Instead, we should select a plausible solution and put it into practice. The real test of an idea is its performance in the real world, not its elegance on paper. This pragmatic mindset is crucial for making tangible progress.
Admitting Failure Frankly
The most challenging part of this philosophy is perhaps the most important. “If it fails, admit it frankly and try another.” This requires humility and intellectual honesty. In politics, and indeed in many organizations, admitting failure is often seen as a sign of weakness. However, Roosevelt reframes it as a necessary step in the process of discovery. Frank admission of failure allows for a quick pivot. It prevents organizations from wasting resources on a flawed strategy. Furthermore, it builds trust by demonstrating transparency and a commitment to results over ego.
The Ultimate Mandate: Try Something
Finally, the quote culminates in a simple, urgent command: “But above all, try something.” This is a direct rebuke of paralysis by analysis. Roosevelt recognized that in a crisis, the cost of inaction could be far greater than the cost of a failed experiment. Doing nothing was a choice, and in the context of the Great Depression, it was a disastrous one. This final phrase serves as a powerful reminder that forward motion, even if imperfect, is almost always better than standing still. It is a call to break the inertia and engage with the problem directly.
Modern Relevance in Business and Beyond
While born from a specific historical moment, Roosevelt’s words resonate powerfully today. The principles of bold experimentation and learning from failure are the cornerstones of modern innovation, particularly in the tech industry and business world.
Startups embody this ethos. They operate on the principle of developing a minimum viable product (MVP), testing it with real users, and iterating based on feedback. This entire process is a form of persistent experimentation. Similarly, established companies use methods like A/B testing to experiment with different strategies for marketing, product design, and user experience. They constantly try new methods, measure the results, and adapt. This data-driven approach allows businesses to optimize their performance and better serve their customers.
This mindset is not limited to business. Scientists use the scientific method, a formal process of experimentation, to advance human knowledge. In personal development, trying a new habit, learning a new skill, or changing a routine are all personal experiments. Admitting that a new diet or workout plan isn’t working and trying another is applying Roosevelt’s wisdom to one’s own life. The core idea is universal: progress comes from doing, learning, and adapting, not from waiting for a perfect, risk-free plan.
Conclusion: The Enduring Power of Trying
In summary, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s call for experimentation is much more than a historical quote. It is a timeless and universal philosophy for navigating uncertainty and driving progress. His words remind us that challenges, whether national or personal, demand courage and action. They teach us that pragmatism should triumph over rigid ideology. Most importantly, they give us permission to fail, as long as we learn from it and have the courage to try again.
Ultimately, the message is one of profound optimism. It rests on the belief that through persistent effort and a willingness to adapt, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles. Whether you are leading a country, running a business, or simply trying to improve your own life, the directive remains as relevant as ever: above all, try something.