Thank you, Carmetta Joyner for providing this insightful summary of the event
In March, we read and discussed Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well by Amy C. Edmondson.
Reframe Failure as Learning – Instead of viewing failure as purely negative, categorize it. Ask: Is this an intelligent failure (new territory, informed, small-scale, opportunity-driven)? If so, extract lessons and apply them. When failures happen, analyze what went wrong rather than just moving on.
Foster Psychological Safety – Encourage open conversations about mistakes in your workplace or personal life. Create an environment where people feel safe admitting errors by modeling vulnerability yourself—acknowledge your own mistakes and discuss what you’ve learned.
Use the Stop-Challenge-Choose Method – When facing a failure, pause before reacting emotionally (Stop), assess whether your thoughts are helpful and based on reality (Challenge), and take the most constructive next step (Choose). This approach prevents unproductive self-blame and promotes effective problem-solving.
Think in Systems, Not Just Individuals – Instead of blaming one person or incident for failure, step back and assess the bigger picture. Ask: What systemic factors contributed to this? How can I adjust the environment, processes, or habits to prevent similar failures? Expanding your awareness helps create long-term improvements.
From Connections Newsletter (Past Event Highlights): April 2025