Failing Well with professor of leadership Dr. Amy Edmondson

In this episode, Dr. Amy Edmondson, a professor at Harvard Business School, explores the often-taboo topic of failure and how it can be a crucial element for success. She discusses her new book, 'The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well,' where she elaborates on the different types of failure. Not all failures are detrimental; some provide valuable insights that drive progress. Dr. Edmondson argues that organizations should embrace 'productive failures' that lead to discoveries rather than stigmatizing all failures.

She cites 3M as a prime example of a company that has cultivated an innovative culture through embracing failures. 3M encourages employees to share both their successful projects and their failures with colleagues, creating an environment where experimentation is seen as a part of the learning process. The discussion delves into human nature, stating that our fear of failure is often reinforced by educational and organizational systems that reward success and penalize mistakes.

Edmondson emphasizes the importance of psychological safety—a group's shared belief that members can take risks without fear of negative consequences. She discusses how leaders can create a psychologically safe environment by openly acknowledging their own fears and mistakes. Finally, the episode touches on how remote work can impact psychological safety and collaboration, making it more challenging for employees to engage in transparent communication and share their failures. The conversation ends on the note that organizations, regardless of their size, can foster a culture of intelligent failure through structured learning and experimentation.