It doesn’t matter if you fail. It matters *how* you fail. | Amy Edmondson for Big Think +

Summary

Amy Edmondson, a leadership expert at Harvard Business School, explores the science of failure and its critical role in success. She challenges the common belief that success means never failing, emphasizing that failure is a vital part of the learning process. Edmondson identifies three types of failure: basic, complex, and intelligent. Intelligent failure, where knowledge and discovery emerge, is particularly valuable. She encourages adopting a scientific mindset to embrace failure as a tool for growth, while acknowledging the importance of managing risks and understanding the true stakes of any situation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Failure is an essential part of the journey to success, and it should not be feared or avoided.
• 😀 Our culture often equates success with never failing, but this mindset is flawed.
• 😀 There are three types of failure: basic failure, complex failure, and intelligent failure.
• 😀 Basic failure occurs in known territory due to a simple error, such as a small mistake or a large financial blunder.
• 😀 Complex failure is the result of multiple factors coming together, often creating a 'perfect storm,' like during a global pandemic.
• 😀 Intelligent failure is the most productive form of failure, as it leads to learning and new discoveries.
• 😀 Intelligent failures occur when we experiment in unknown territory, pursue a goal, work with a hypothesis, and keep the failure small enough to learn from it.
• 😀 To foster more intelligent failures, one must think like a scientist, welcoming lessons from each failure.
• 😀 Experimenting in low-stakes environments (e.g., simulators, labs) is crucial to minimize risks while still learning.
• 😀 Many people mistakenly perceive the stakes of failure as too high, but often, the consequences are not as disastrous as feared. It's simply new knowledge.
• 😀 Embracing failure and learning from it is necessary for growth, success, and joy, as proven by figures like Julia Child, who embraced mistakes with humor and grace.

Q & A

What is the main belief about success that is often present in our culture?

The main belief in our culture is that success means never failing, and that failure is unacceptable, often seen as a sign that something is wrong with the person who fails.

What does Amy Edmondson, the speaker, argue about failure and success?

Amy Edmondson argues that failure is an essential part of the journey toward success. She emphasizes that failure is not a sign of personal deficiency, but a necessary experience for growth and learning.

What are the three archetypes of failure identified by Amy Edmondson?

Amy Edmondson identifies three archetypes of failure: basic failure, complex failure, and intelligent failure. Only intelligent failure is considered the 'right kind of wrong.'

What is a basic failure, and can you provide an example?

A basic failure occurs in known territory, where a simple error leads to failure. An example given is a Citibank employee mistakenly transferring $900 million instead of $8 million.

How does Amy Edmondson define complex failure?

Complex failure involves multiple causes and is described as a 'perfect storm' of factors coming together. An example of complex failure is the breakdown of supply chains during a global pandemic, with many factors such as illness, weather, and government decisions contributing to the failure.

What is the definition of intelligent failure, and why is it important?

Intelligent failure is defined as failure that occurs in new territory, driven by a clear goal, based on a hypothesis, and kept as small as possible to learn from it. It is essential for innovation and discovery, as it helps generate new knowledge.

What are the four criteria for a failure to be considered intelligent?

The four criteria for intelligent failure are: 1) it occurs in new territory, 2) it is in pursuit of a goal, 3) it is hypothesis-driven, and 4) it is as small as possible, just big enough to learn from.

Why is it important to think like a scientist when dealing with failure?

Thinking like a scientist is important because scientists are trained to view failure as a step toward discovery. They embrace the likelihood of being wrong and use failure to learn and get closer to breakthroughs.

Why does Amy Edmondson emphasize conducting experiments in low-stakes environments?

Amy Edmondson emphasizes conducting experiments in low-stakes environments because these situations allow for safe failure, where mistakes can be made without disastrous consequences. This encourages experimentation and learning.

How does Julia Child's approach to failure reflect Amy Edmondson's views?

Julia Child's approach to failure, such as laughing off mistakes during her cooking shows, reflects Amy Edmondson's view that some failures, like the falling of an omelet, are low-stakes and should be treated with humor and learning, rather than as catastrophic events.