Amy Edmondson, Harvard professor and author of 'Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well,' discusses overcoming the fear of failure and reframing it as a tool for growth. She explores the concept of 'intelligent failures' and the importance of psychological safety in fostering innovation. Get practical strategies for transforming failure into opportunities and learn about identifying different types of failures.
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Quick takeaways
Failure can provide valuable information and insights, and should be embraced as a tool for personal growth and learning.
Recognizing the type of failure can help reframe it and approach it in a more productive and growth-oriented way.
Creating psychological safety in teams and environments encourages risk-taking, learning, and connection, fostering a culture of growth.
Deep dives
Embracing Failure as a Path to Growth
Failure can be valuable when it brings new information and insights. Embracing intelligent failures in new territory is important for personal growth and learning. Instead of focusing on being right, prioritize the value of the information gained from failure. Receiving feedback and reevaluating our beliefs is crucial in reframing failure as a tool for self-insight. It is essential to create psychological safety in teams and environments, encouraging risk-taking, learning, and connection.
Differentiating Between Types of Failure
There are three main types of failure: basic, complex, and intelligent. Basic failures occur in known territory and are typically due to human error. Complex failures involve multiple causes and can often be prevented. Intelligent failures happen in new territory and are valuable for the insights they provide. Recognizing the type of failure can help in reframing it and approaching it in a more productive and growth-oriented way.
Reframing Failure as a Learning Opportunity
Reframing failure involves shifting from a negative mindset to a perspective that sees it as a source of valuable information and learning. Choosing to see failure as an intelligent experiment in new territory encourages curiosity and embracing uncertainty. Understanding that failure provides insights and data, rather than defining one's worth, can help in reframing failure as a positive learning opportunity.
Creating Psychological Safety
Psychological safety is essential in fostering a culture of learning and growth. It involves creating an environment where individuals feel safe to take interpersonal risks, speak up, ask questions, and share ideas without fear of judgment or negative consequences. Leaders and team members can contribute to psychological safety by framing the context as one of learning, asking open-ended questions to encourage participation, and responding appreciatively to contributions, even if they are not immediately successful.
The Power of Awareness in Failure
Self-awareness plays a key role in navigating failure. Being aware of our biases, assumptions, and reactions allows us to adopt a more curious and open mindset. Choosing learning over knowing and actively questioning our own perspectives can help uncover new insights and possibilities. Developing self-awareness and cultivating curiosity enable us to more effectively reframe failures and approach them as opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
Ever been paralyzed by the fear of failing or judged by your mistakes? You're not alone. From school tests to career flops, we've all faced moments that shook our confidence. But what if failure is not an enemy but a stepping stone to success? My guest today, Amy Edmondson, is the Novartis Professor of Leadership at Harvard and author of the new book Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well.
🔍 Amy's 20+ years of research on transforming failure into a powerhouse of growth.
🚀 Techniques to hurdle past setbacks and achieve your true potential.
🧠 Dive deep into 'psychological safety' and why it's pivotal for risk-taking and innovation.
🛠️ Turn your failures into 'intelligent failures' with practical strategies.