When we think of
failure, we believe there is something wrong. Therefore, it is the word and
situation we avoid at all costs. Some of us will lie, cheat and steal to avoid
failure. Yet, in many cases, failure can
failure, we believe there is something wrong. Therefore, it is the word and
situation we avoid at all costs. Some of us will lie, cheat and steal to avoid
failure. Yet, in many cases, failure can
offer more knowledge, wisdom and
riches than success.
In the simplest
cases, Post It by 3M is an example of a failure. The inventor, Art Fry, was
attempting to make the strongest glue. It wasn’t until a year after his
supposed failure that someone within 3M figured out a practical use for his
weak glue.
cases, Post It by 3M is an example of a failure. The inventor, Art Fry, was
attempting to make the strongest glue. It wasn’t until a year after his
supposed failure that someone within 3M figured out a practical use for his
weak glue.
This example is the
proverbial silver lining. However, if managed well, failure has tremendous
benefits. If we can view failure from 3 distinct ways, it should cause us to
adopt a new and empowering perspective. They are:
proverbial silver lining. However, if managed well, failure has tremendous
benefits. If we can view failure from 3 distinct ways, it should cause us to
adopt a new and empowering perspective. They are:
- Disrupts bad behavior – When we are successful, we believe our behavior is the winning formula, even when it is inappropriate or
obsolete. Success can be the Achilles heel of an individual or
corporation. Enron, Worldcom and Bernie Madoff are examples of the hubris
that success breeds. Without their failures, many more people would have
followed their footsteps.
While
bad behavior does not always imply malfeasance, it is a great antidote if we are
off
bad behavior does not always imply malfeasance, it is a great antidote if we are
off
course or closed minded to other perspectives. It disrupts the addictive behavior
of wanting to
of wanting to
be right. It humbles us and opens our mind to new possibilities
and highlights inappropriate
and highlights inappropriate
attitudes, products, services and behaviors.
Sony is an example of a company that learned
Sony is an example of a company that learned
quickly from its failure to
innovate. Because they were successful at making the Walkman, they
innovate. Because they were successful at making the Walkman, they
were not open
to the possibility of an MP3 player making the Walkman obsolete.
to the possibility of an MP3 player making the Walkman obsolete.
- Increases determination – For those who do not become
disheartened by failure, they find renewed strength and a new perspective
from which to operate. If failure is well managed, it can help groups or
teams reflect in order to identify what was missing and/or what was
inappropriate. That kind of insight can galvanize groups to work together
more effectively. In sports, there are countless cases where teams have
come back from defeat.
- Creates new knowledge – From one perspective, failure tells us
what not to do. From another, it lets us know when our existing knowledge
has become obsolete and forces us to become more creative. If we manage
failure well and our determination is increased, we think of new
innovative ways to accomplish our goals. Whether it’s sports, chemistry or
computer programming, our failures force us to open our minds and take new
approaches. Michael Jordan’s failed attempt to make the basketball team in
high school gave him the impetus to be an extraordinary player. While it
is impossible to say he would have been the same player if he would not
have been cut, it is safe to say it forced him to train in a new way.
Our
failures require us to ask new question which help us to make new discoveries.
Those new
failures require us to ask new question which help us to make new discoveries.
Those new
questions have been the catalyst for the light bulb, phonograph,
flights to the moon, automobiles
flights to the moon, automobiles
and the assembly line. With each of those
inventions we acquired new knowledge that led to
inventions we acquired new knowledge that led to
other breakthroughs.
While failure seems
like a bad word and the enemy of success, it is quite the opposite. Throughout
history, it has been the precursor to the light at the end of the tunnel. To
some, the 3 distinctions may seem like a variation of the same. For those who
able to distinguish them, they will have access to the treasure failure
conceals.
like a bad word and the enemy of success, it is quite the opposite. Throughout
history, it has been the precursor to the light at the end of the tunnel. To
some, the 3 distinctions may seem like a variation of the same. For those who
able to distinguish them, they will have access to the treasure failure
conceals.
What do you think? I’m open to ideas. Or if you want to
write me about a specific topic, let me know.
write me about a specific topic, let me know.