Episode 213- The Science Behind Smart Failures with Organizational Behavioral Scientist Amy Edmondson

We used to view failure as the opposite of success. Now, we’re often torn between two conflicting approaches: “avoid failure at all costs” or “fail…

Episode 213- The Science Behind Smart Failures with Organizational Behavioral Scientist Amy Edmondson

We used to view failure as the opposite of success. Now, we’re often torn between two conflicting approaches: “avoid failure at all costs” or “fail…

We used to view failure as the opposite of success. Now, we’re often torn between two conflicting approaches: “avoid failure at all costs” or “fail fast, fail often.” Neither perspective helps us distinguish between good and bad failure, leading us to miss the chance to fail well. In this episode, we explore the complexities of failure with Amy Edmondson, a renowned Harvard Business School professor and leading expert in organizational behavior. In her book, Right Kind of Wrong, Amy presents a framework for understanding and navigating failure effectively. She provides actionable strategies to transform failure into a powerful catalyst for growth, teaching us how to recognize when failure is beneficial and how to minimize its unproductive aspects. Her insights will help you cultivate a growth mindset, take smart risks, and learn from your failures.

“If you’re allergic to failure, you just can’t do what it takes for real accomplishment.”

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Show Notes

The big idea behind Amy’s book Right Kind of Wrong (2:52)
The difference between failure and a mistake (4:41)
The three types of failure: basic, complex, intelligent (5:44)
Two “failure cultures” and why neither works (8:54)
How a fixed mindset leads to risk aversion (14:47)
Choose learning over knowing (18:26)
Shifting your mindset: Stop. Challenge. Choose. (21:25)
Why organizations need systematic processes to integrate failure feedback (24:33)
How leaders can show the value of intelligent failure: modeling, messaging and mentoring (28:17)
Why forward-looking advice is effective (33:13)
How to teach your children to fail in healthy ways (36:02)
The four criteria of intelligent failure (41:14)
How to step into smart risktaking (42:31)

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