Amy Edmondson On the Science of Failing Well — Radically Candid Conversations 5 | 18
Sep 5, 2023
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Guest Amy Edmondson, Harvard professor and author, discusses the importance of failing well, embracing failure as part of growth, and creating psychological safety. They explore self-awareness, situation awareness, and system awareness in failing well. They also emphasize the significance of thoughtful decision-making and recognizing interdependencies. The authors share surprises, lessons, and the importance of embracing imperfections in their new book.
Psychological safety is crucial for effective communication, innovation, and collaboration in the workplace.
Failing well is important for personal and professional growth, as it allows individuals to embrace uncertainty and learn from mistakes.
Deep dives
The Importance of Psychological Safety and Radical Candor
Psychological safety is crucial in creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable speaking up and expressing their thoughts and ideas. It is about fostering an atmosphere of trust and openness, where people know that their perspectives are valued and welcome. In contrast, radical candor is about providing honest feedback while maintaining compassion and care for the individual. It is not about being harsh or brutal, but rather about creating an environment where learning and growth can occur through constructive criticism. Both psychological safety and radical candor are essential for effective communication, innovation, and collaboration in the workplace.
The Art of Failing Well
Failing well is an important skill to cultivate, as it allows individuals to embrace the inherent uncertainty and complexity of life. In a rapidly changing world, being comfortable with failure and the ability to learn from mistakes is crucial for personal and professional growth. Failing well means taking risks, experimenting, and being willing to stumble and make mistakes in the process of finding the right path. It is about understanding that failure is not necessarily a negative outcome, but rather a stepping stone towards progress and discovery. By reframing failure as a learning opportunity, individuals can develop resilience, adaptability, and a mindset focused on continuous improvement.
The Need for System Awareness in Failing Well
System awareness is an essential aspect of failing well, as it involves considering the broader context and interdependencies in any given situation. It is about recognizing the various factors and relationships that can contribute to failures or successes. By understanding the systems and structures at play, individuals can identify areas for improvement, prevent potential failures, and create conditions that promote innovation. System awareness requires a shift from a narrow focus on the here and now to a more comprehensive view that considers long-term impact, feedback loops, and the different perspectives and stakeholders involved.
Embracing Fallibility and Celebrating the Right Kind of Wrong
Embracing fallibility and celebrating the right kind of wrong is about acknowledging that perfection is not attainable and that failure is an inevitable part of the human experience. It involves letting go of the fear and shame associated with making mistakes and recognizing that failures can provide valuable lessons and opportunities for growth. Just as success is acknowledged and celebrated, so too should the efforts and learnings that come from failures. By reframing failure as a stepping stone towards improvement and innovation, individuals can cultivate a culture that encourages risk-taking, curiosity, and continuous learning.
Kim and Amy welcome Amy C. Edmondson, the Novartis professor of leadership and management at the Harvard Business School and author of several books, including The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth and Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well — available now! From managers seeking to inspire their reports to parents wanting to model a healthy failure mindset for their kids, this book will revolutionize how we think about failure.
Get all the show notes and resources at RadicalCandor.com/podcast
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