Currently engrossed in the pages of Amy Edmondson's acclaimed "Right Kind of Wrong," hailed as the 2023 Financial Times Book of the Year, I'm delving deep into the profound concept of failure as a pathway to growth and enlightenment. My reflections echo the essence of the book as I unravel six pivotal failures—one for each decade of my life—navigating the lessons learned and the transformative power therein. This introspective journey not only delves into my personal experiences but also touches upon the fundamental tenets of the book, presenting an insightful overview. With its commendable content earning the prestigious £30,000 award, "Right Kind of Wrong" stands as a compelling investment, a beacon illuminating the profound potential nestled within failure's embrace.
Exploring Failures and Life Lessons Through "The Right Kind of Wrong"
Reflecting on pivotal moments in life, here are six major failures that have significantly shaped my journey:
- Ingersoll Rand Offer: (2012) Accepting the Ingersoll Rand offer 72 hours, after initial rejection, swayed by persuasive arguments from the recruiter, only to realize within four months that it wasn't the right fit and we parted ways. This decision, while initially unsettling, ultimately led me toward safety consultancy, offering the freedom and autonomy to shape my work life according to my preferences. I began to form a rule, “Never change a first opinion”, however, unclear it may be at that time; which I implemented as late as this week.
- Attention to Detail: At a project site in 1988, an adamant stance on missing machinery spares led to a humbling lesson. Despite escalating the issue, it turned out the parts were indeed in place and I was under the hammer from my gentlemanly boss. This experience taught me the critical importance of thorough verification and attention to detail in all aspects of life.
- Job Change for Pay Rise: Late 1980s, A hasty job change in pursuit of a very significant pay rise led me into a not so great life in a remote city. (Not that Ankleswhar in Gujarat where I moved from, was great city to live!) and I had a boomerang job offer at the new pay within 5 months. This tumultuous experience highlighted the necessity of sound judgment, Developing resillience and positive mindset, especially during personal challenges, which I embraced in the months that followed, and the perils of making decisions based solely on financial gains which I never allowed again. Also, several of my personal resolve were severely tested here.
- Pursuit of Growth vs. Stability: Contemplating whether my pursuit of growth, learning, and global exposure, Subject mastery, meeting people across Geography/ Culture, led me to forego stability that might have come with long-term commitment to a single organization with its own benefits. Limited choices due to the absence of intra-company transfers across Indian Geography, made this reflection all the more poignant.
- Radical Candour and Relationships: Recognizing a flaw in radical candour—a tendency to speak bluntly without considering the impact of words ( I am a High "D"- I don't mind- You Don't matter) —prompted introspection. Wondering if curbing this trait might have fostered better relationships and communication, balancing honesty with sensitivity at work as well with relatives and family. I would think this is a major area of improvement for me.
- Parental Approval: Comparing the pride I feel in my children's success in life, to the unknown sentiments of my parents. Contemplating whether I fulfilled my responsibilities as a son to qualify as a success, especially in my father's eyes, remains a lingering question. I will never know the answer.
Each of these failures has been a stepping stone, providing invaluable life lessons and shaping my personal and professional growth. "The Right Kind of Wrong" profoundly resonates as I correlate these failures with the pursuit of learning and self-improvement.
Verdict:- My family feels that these are not a failures but a slip... I would leave the interpretation to them!
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In her award-winning book "The Right Kind of Wrong," Amy Edmondson challenges our traditional perception of failure and presents a compelling argument that it can be a powerful tool for progress and innovation. She distinguishes between three types of failure:
1. Basic Failures: These are caused by carelessness, inattention, or a lack of essential skills. While these failures are undesirable and should be prevented, they often provide valuable learning opportunities.
2. Complex Failures: These arise from the inherent difficulty or complexity of a task. They often involve multiple factors and are difficult to predict or prevent.
3. Intelligent Failures: These are intentional experiments or calculated risks that are taken in pursuit of new knowledge or innovation. They are often necessary for progress and can lead to significant breakthroughs.
Edmondson argues that intelligent failures are not only acceptable but essential for learning and growth. She emphasizes the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment where individuals feel comfortable taking risks, speaking up about mistakes, and learning from others' failures. By embracing intelligent failures, organizations can foster a culture of innovation and achieve sustainable success.
Here are some of the key takeaways from "The Right Kind of Wrong":
1. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is a necessary part of the learning process.
2. Intelligent failures are the right kind of wrong because they lead to innovation and progress.
3. Organizations can create a psychologically safe environment where intelligent failures are encouraged and learned from.
4. By embracing intelligent failures, organizations can foster a culture of innovation and achieve sustainable success.
"The Right Kind of Wrong" is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand the role of failure in learning and innovation. Edmondson's insights can help individuals, teams, and organizations create a culture where failure is seen as an opportunity for growth, rather than a threat.
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Here are some key organizational and personal failures that Edmondson elucidates:-
- Failure Type Organizational Failures
- Basic Failure Columbia Space Shuttle, Challenger Space Shuttle
- Complex Failure Ford Motor Company
- Intelligent Failure Exxon Valdez, Theranos
Organizational Failures
• Columbia Space Shuttle: The Columbia Space Shuttle disaster was caused by a basic failure, namely ignoring warnings about O-ring failure. Despite having knowledge of the potential problem, NASA officials failed to take adequate action to address it, resulting in the loss of the shuttle and its crew.
• Challenger Space Shuttle: The Challenger Space Shuttle disaster was another example of a basic failure. The O-rings, which were responsible for sealing the joints between the solid rocket boosters and the external tank, failed due to cold temperatures. This failure caused an explosion that destroyed the shuttle and killed its crew.
• Ford Motor Company: The Ford Pinto gas tank design flaw was a complex failure that resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. The Pinto's gas tank was located in a vulnerable position, and it could easily rupture in a rear-end collision. Ford was aware of the problem, but it chose not to recall the Pinto because the cost of doing so was deemed to be too high.
Personal Failures
• Exxon Valdez: The Exxon Valdez oil spill was an intelligent failure. The captain of the Exxon Valdez made a series of poor decisions that led to the ship grounding on a reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska. This resulted in a massive oil spill that caused widespread environmental damage.
• Theranos: Theranos was a company that developed blood testing technology that promised to revolutionize the healthcare industry. However, the company's technology was based on flawed science, and it was unable to deliver on its promises. Theranos's CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, was convicted of fraud for her role in the company's deception.
These are just a few examples of the many organizational and personal failures that Edmondson discusses in her book. Her work provides valuable insights into the nature of failure and how it can be prevented and learned from.
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Practical aspects from Amy Edmondson's book "Right Kind of Wrong":
1. Reframe the narrative:
• Shift your mindset: See failure as a learning opportunity, not a setback. Celebrate small wins and failures as steps in the right direction.
• Focus on progress, not perfection: Aim for "good enough," not perfect, to encourage experimentation and learning.
• Learn from mistakes: Analyze failures systematically, identify root causes, and implement changes to prevent future occurrences.
2. Foster psychological safety:
• Create environments where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and admit mistakes.
• Encourage open communication, vulnerability, and transparency.
• Celebrate learning and acknowledge effort, not just outcomes.
• Empower team members to make decisions and take ownership.
3. Build resilience:
• Develop coping mechanisms for dealing with setbacks.
• Practice self-compassion and forgiveness.
• Find inspiration from others who have learned from failure.
• Maintain a growth mindset and focus on continuous learning.
4. Practice "failing well":
• Plan for failure: Consider potential risks and have backup plans.
• Fail fast: Experiment with small, manageable projects to minimize potential downsides.
• Learn from each iteration: Use data and feedback to improve future efforts.
• Share learnings with others: Help others learn from your mistakes and avoid similar pitfalls.
5. Use failure as a competitive advantage:
• Develop a culture of innovation by embracing failure as a necessary part of learning.
• Attract and retain top talent who are not afraid to take risks and learn from mistakes.
• Become more adaptable and resilient in a rapidly changing environment.
Additional practical tips:
• Keep a failure journal: Document your experiences with failure and analyze your learnings.
• Seek feedback from trusted advisors and mentors.
• Join support groups or communities focused on learning from failure.
• Use visualization techniques to imagine success and overcome fear of failure.
• Celebrate your successes, big or small, to maintain motivation and confidence.
By implementing these practical aspects from Amy Edmondson's book, you can develop a healthy relationship with failure and leverage it to become a better learner, leader, and innovator. Remember, "failing well" is not about failing more, but about failing smarter.
Let me know your comments
Karthik.
9th Dec 23.
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