Embracing Failure: A Fresh Perspective
Failure: Part 1
I got to thinking about failure while watching a baseball game.
I love baseball and am fascinated with its strategy. While I know some may find it slow-paced, I appreciate the nuances of the game—being prepared for different situations like the number of outs, runners on base, where to place fielders, and how to throw pitches to get the batter off balance.
Did you know that a batter with a .300 plus average is considered a top hitter on the team?
But if you break that down, the batter only gets a hit every 3 out of 10 attempts. So that means the batter is missing 7 out of 10 opportunities to get a hit. Talk about failure. Yet, in baseball, that is actually a strength!
- What about failure often gets us feeling negative about it?
- Why do we try to do whatever we can to avoid it?
- How would you describe your feelings about it?
When we think of "failure," we often associate it with negative emotions like negligence, carelessness, setback, or disappointment.
We worry about making a mistake and getting in trouble. We are anxious about the repercussions of missing the expectation. We don’t wish to disappoint and let someone down. It’s stressful and scary to share our failure.
Like baseball batters, we often face a tense line between our effort and our desired outcome.
We cannot bat 10/10 every day, no matter our role! Failure does not mean we lack commitment. Just like the moments in our day when we mess up, or things don’t go as planned. One simply is not perfect!
Reflection:
What's coming up for you as you reflect on your experiences with failure?
Write about how you experienced failure this past academic year.
- What did you feel?
- What do you notice?
- What did you learn?
Failure: Part 2
When we think about performance, failures are often not due to a lack of effort. We work hard and are focused on improving, and yet, at times, things don’t go as planned!
Leading in today’s educational space involves a great deal of uncertainty, which requires us to try new things to see what works. We may not always get it right and often fail as new things are implemented. But imagine the power of knowing it’s about the learning and adapting you do next that can lead to more significant results.
So, what can you try to improve with your response to failure?
Leaders go first!
Leading in uncertainty demands failure as an intentional strategy. First, you must talk openly about your own failures and learning. This helps your staff see that trying new things or asking for help is safe. And start being more curious, regularly asking questions about their work. Highlighting the learning from what went wrong is an opportunity to improve.
Talk about it.
Without understanding how failure is viewed here, people are left figuring they just better get it right, therefore avoiding trying anything new. When you receive bad news, acknowledge the messenger and honor their learning from the failure.
You are instrumental in changing perspectives on failure, which can lead to innovation and better outcomes. Lead with confidence and curiosity, and your team will follow your leadership also with confidence that they can tackle any challenge!
Call to Action:
- Be curious! Ask questions.
- What challenges are you facing this week? What do you want to try next?
- Normalize failure.
- Talk about your own failures and learning.
“Contributors of all ages and stages want their ideas to matter, their voices to be heard,
and workplaces where they can grow.”
- Liz Wiseman, Multipliers