Comments on: How Failure Leads to Epiphany

By: Sector learning, an introduction | Learning for Change

Sector learning, an introduction | Learning for Change — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:42:30 +0000

[...] we need to learn, and avoid repeating the same mistakes all over again (even though we recognise mistakes have their value). Learning is what allows us to connect knowledge and create action together. We need to learn as [...]

By: VMaryAbraham

VMaryAbraham — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:59:04 +0000

Steven -

You're right that we are not guaranteed an epiphany -- especially if we are
unwilling to identify the problem and then learn (the right lessons) from
it. While it may not be possible to get an entire organization to think
positively about failure, could we try it in units or departments? Changing
the approach of a handful of people has to be easier than changing hundreds
or thousands of attitudes.

- Mary

By: VMaryAbraham

VMaryAbraham — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:59:04 +0000

By: itgevangelist

itgevangelist — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:55:53 +0000

Thanks for the thoughtful post, though I think it should have been titled, “How Failure COULD Lead to Epiphany.” This potential epiphany is too often blocked by an organizations cultural aversion to failure (explained by the human tendencies cited in your post).

I have visited dozens of companies in the past two years and I encounter this cultural aversion again and again. Many organizations can't even use the word, “because it has such a negative connotation.”

I urge organizations to define failure in very specific terms and to reward the identification of failure – obviously for the purpose of learning, growth and improved future performance. This approach has no chance if the organization in question cannot overcome their inherent disdain for the word and their subsequent aversion to admitting failure.

By: VMaryAbraham

VMaryAbraham — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:30:11 +0000

Thanks so much, Larry. You're absolutely right about the need to be willing
to try, fail, learn and adapt -- over and over again. The real challenge is
that too many organizations have a culture that discourages experimentation
or won't tolerate failure. It takes a very resilient person (or business
unit) to attempt innovation and agility in that environment.

- Mary

By: Larry Hawes

Larry Hawes — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:09:40 +0000

Great post, Mary, because learning from failure is critical to harnessing the power of emergence. If failure is ignored, solutions that create positive value cannot emerge from any organizational initiative, be it structural, cultural, process, or technological in nature. Organizations need to be agile; they must fail, learn, and adapt to ultimately succeed.