How to fail successfully, with Amy Edmondson, PhD, and Samuel West, PhD
Jan 17, 2024
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Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, PhD, and organizational psychologist Samuel West, PhD, talk about commerce's biggest flops, the difference between failing and "failing well," and how to overcome the fear of failure. They discuss the Museum of Failure, the downfall of Kodak, the importance of psychological safety, and the nuanced understanding of success and failure.
There are three types of failure: basic, complex, and intelligent, which helps distinguish between failures that should be prevented and failures that should be celebrated and learned from.
Psychological safety, where individuals feel comfortable taking interpersonal risks, is crucial for teams and organizations to learn and innovate effectively by encouraging behaviors such as offering dissenting opinions and conducting experiments.
Deep dives
Different types of failure
According to Dr. Amy Edmondson, there are three types of failure: basic, complex, and intelligent. Basic failures are single mistakes that could have been prevented. Complex failures are multi-causal and occur in familiar territory. Intelligent failures are thoughtful attempts in new territory that fail to achieve the desired results. The framework helps make distinctions between failures that should be prevented and failures that should be celebrated and learned from.
The importance of psychological safety
Psychological safety, as explained by Dr. Edmondson, is a learning environment where individuals feel comfortable taking interpersonal risks. It involves behaviors such as speaking up with new ideas, conducting experiments, and offering dissenting opinions. Psychological safety is crucial for teams and organizations to learn and innovate effectively. It requires cultivating a climate where these behaviors are expected, encouraged, and celebrated.
Failures in Silicon Valley
The 'Fail fast and break things' motto popularized in Silicon Valley has been criticized for its thoughtlessness and carelessness. While failure is encouraged in the context of innovation and learning, it should be accompanied by a mindful approach. Failure should be viewed as an opportunity to learn and improve, rather than a haphazard process. It is important to balance innovation and risk-taking with caution, preparedness, and reflection.
The notion of failure
The concept of failure is often equated with economic or financial success, a relatively new idea in human history. Success and failure are often measured by monetary achievements, disregarding other important aspects such as personal growth, moral character, and meaningful contributions. It is essential to recognize that success and failure are multifaceted, and that failure should not be solely defined by financial outcomes.
Remember New Coke? Colgate frozen lasagna? The Hawaii chair? History is littered with commercial failures. Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, PhD, author of “Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well,” and organizational psychologist Samuel West, PhD, curator of the Museum of Failure, talk about some of commerce’s biggest flops, the difference between simply failing and “failing well;” and how individuals and organizations can get past the fear of failure, recognize its potential upsides and learn from their mistakes. For transcripts, links and more information, please visit the Speaking of Psychology Homepage.