Failure as a tool for growth
A book illustrating the importance of failing well has been published in Italy.
To err and grow: viewing mistakes as a resource, as a chance to make significant advances in knowledge and experience. The concept of “failing well” and the ability to learn from one’s errors is crucial, not only in personal growth but also within the realms of economics and organisational management. It’s a question of cultural mindset, rather than management of production or labour. Amy C. Edmondson’s “Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well”, recently translated into Italian as “Il giusto errore. La scienza di fallire bene”, is therefore well worth a read.
The book begins with an undeniable observation: in a society obsessed with success and the worship of outcomes, the concept of failure is particularly daunting. Between those who go to great lengths to evade it and those who encourage embracing it wholeheartedly, constantly striving to conquer it, the way individuals and organisations perceive failure has become muddled. The recognition of mistakes as opportunities for growth has, in most instances, been lost.
In this book, winner of the Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year Award 2023, Amy Edmondson introduces readers to the concept of “failing well”. The book is the culmination of decades of research and practical experience in organisational behaviour, during which Edmondson has gathered data from a corporations, government bodies, startups, schools and hospitals. The central goal of the book is the development of frameworks that not only identify a novel category of failure but also delineate best practices for managing and learning from it.
The book provides a foundation for understanding, discussing and applying the concept of “failing wisely”. This may seem like a contradiction, but it actually represents the transformation of mistakes into opportunities for growth, as previously mentioned. Edmondson categorises failure into three archetypes: elementary, complex, and intelligent. She then demonstrates how to reduce counterproductive errors and maximise the benefits that can be gleaned from any kind of mistake. The book teaches readers how individuals and organisations can accept human fallibility, discern when failure can be a “friend”, and prevent most situations where it would be detrimental. “Failing well” is, therefore, a valuable resource for both cultural and personal development.
Il giusto errore. La scienza di fallire bene
Amy C. Edmondson
Egea, 2024
A book illustrating the importance of failing well has been published in Italy.
To err and grow: viewing mistakes as a resource, as a chance to make significant advances in knowledge and experience. The concept of “failing well” and the ability to learn from one’s errors is crucial, not only in personal growth but also within the realms of economics and organisational management. It’s a question of cultural mindset, rather than management of production or labour. Amy C. Edmondson’s “Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well”, recently translated into Italian as “Il giusto errore. La scienza di fallire bene”, is therefore well worth a read.
The book begins with an undeniable observation: in a society obsessed with success and the worship of outcomes, the concept of failure is particularly daunting. Between those who go to great lengths to evade it and those who encourage embracing it wholeheartedly, constantly striving to conquer it, the way individuals and organisations perceive failure has become muddled. The recognition of mistakes as opportunities for growth has, in most instances, been lost.
In this book, winner of the Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year Award 2023, Amy Edmondson introduces readers to the concept of “failing well”. The book is the culmination of decades of research and practical experience in organisational behaviour, during which Edmondson has gathered data from a corporations, government bodies, startups, schools and hospitals. The central goal of the book is the development of frameworks that not only identify a novel category of failure but also delineate best practices for managing and learning from it.
The book provides a foundation for understanding, discussing and applying the concept of “failing wisely”. This may seem like a contradiction, but it actually represents the transformation of mistakes into opportunities for growth, as previously mentioned. Edmondson categorises failure into three archetypes: elementary, complex, and intelligent. She then demonstrates how to reduce counterproductive errors and maximise the benefits that can be gleaned from any kind of mistake. The book teaches readers how individuals and organisations can accept human fallibility, discern when failure can be a “friend”, and prevent most situations where it would be detrimental. “Failing well” is, therefore, a valuable resource for both cultural and personal development.
Il giusto errore. La scienza di fallire bene
Amy C. Edmondson
Egea, 2024