The chapter delves into the necessity of distinguishing between productive and detrimental types of failure in the workplace, emphasizing the value of fostering a culture that encourages smart experimentation for growth and innovation. It discusses the contrast between failure and experimentation and the importance of conducting thorough post-mortems to learn and prevent reoccurrences, highlighting the significance of analytical review. The conversation extends to broader workplace challenges such as low engagement, burnout, and anxiety about the future, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to address these issues and inspire better work performance.
We all know Silicon Valley’s mantra: fail fast, fail often. But when is it OK to fail in the real world?
Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson says it depends on how and why you fail. She’s an expert on psychological safety and the author of the book, Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well.
In this episode, she explains the difference between good and bad types of failures. One has to do with experimentation, while the other is rooted in inattention or lack of training. Edmondson also explores the downsides of not experimenting enough because your team fears failure.
Key episode topics include: strategy, psychology, business failures, psychological safety, experimentation.
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· Watch the original HBR New World of Work episode: It's OK to Fail, but You Have to Do It Right (2023)
· Find more episodes of the New World of Work series on YouTube
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