What We Get Wrong About Failure

It was late on a Friday afternoon, and I was wrapping up my to-do list for the week. My inbox dinged—a final draft of a client proposal that was supposedly ready to go out. My team had been on it, and I wasn't scheduled for another review. But a nagging feeling had me open the document for a "just-in-case" skim. My eyes narrowed as I caught the name of a former client still sprinkled throughout the proposal. This mistake had been flagged before, yet here it was, again. I felt a wave of frustration wash over me. Was it that difficult to correct a simple it?

This run-in with the proposal got me thinking:

There’s something seriously wrong with how we approach failure and mistakes.

The modern narrative glorifies failure as a stepping stone to success, but the reality is much more nuanced. The "fail fast, fail forward" mantra is a half-truth we've allowed to pervade our culture, sometimes to our detriment.

So let's address the elephant in the room.

Not All Mistakes Are Created Equal

Contrary to popular belief, not all mistakes are stepping stones to success. Some stem from mere carelessness. Others can derail your team's progress or jeopardize your entire business.

So, I took a deep dive into the world of mistakes, reflecting on my own experiences and those I've observed in others. What became crystal clear was this:

The only mistakes that truly move us forward are those made with eyes set on a positive outcome and a heart committed to learning from the journey.

This realization led me to categorize mistakes into four distinct types.

1. Sloppy Mistakes

The Repeated, Avoidable Slip-Ups That Erode Trust and Efficiency

Let's start with sloppy mistakes. These errors make you shake your head and ask, "Why is this happening again?" They're often the result of rushing, lack of focus, or inattention to detail. The key issue with sloppy mistakes is that they result from a misguided focus on outcomes (i.e. focusing on getting the proposal out of the door instead of building trust and credibility to win the project). Sloppy mistakes tend to repeat themselves, indicating that learning from the experience is missing from the equation. They can have a significant negative impact on the ultimate outcomes we aim to achieve. They erode trust within teams and chip away at overall efficiency.

Your Doorstep Actions*

(*Doorstep Actions refer to the small yet impactful steps you can take within your immediate sphere of influence—your team, a project, or your individual contributions—to initiate meaningful change in your culture. You can read more about the Doorstep Actions approach in my previous newsletter HERE)

• Prioritize tasks impacting key outcomes: Not all tasks are equally important, but those that directly contribute to your ultimate goal deserve special attention. When you recognize the larger objective at stake, even seemingly mundane tasks like proofreading gain critical importance. In the example of the proposal, the overarching goal was to build trust and win the project; therefore, ensuring a flawless document was crucial.
• Review with intention: Quick checks can prevent minor errors from evolving into major issues. Investing a few extra minutes now could save you hours of damage control later. This intentional review process is essential for curtailing sloppy mistakes.
• Design foolproof systems: Rather than merely solving problems as they arise, aim for a proactive approach that prevents them altogether. Implement systems—be it automated error-checking or multi-layered review protocols—that make the recurrence of sloppy mistakes virtually impossible.

Often, the key element missing with sloppy mistakes is the failure to learn and adapt. By embracing these actionable steps, you're not merely minimizing future errors; you're actively contributing to a culture that prioritizes ongoing learning and meticulous attention to detail where it matters.

2. Ostrich Mistakes

Avoidance and Inaction that Undermine Learning and Future Success

Ostrich mistakes happen when we deliberately turn a blind eye to a problem, hoping it will disappear or resolve itself. This conscious avoidance not only allows the problem to fester but often magnifies it, potentially straining relationships and stalling progress. Because there's a low focus on both the outcome and learning, these mistakes can have a long-lasting impact.

Your Doorstep Actions

• Confront issues directly: Problems don't dissolve when ignored; they compound. Tackling them head-on promotes a culture of accountability and transparent communication, which can lead to effective solutions and valuable lessons.
• Engage in open communication: A closed mouth is a breeding ground for unaddressed issues. Open, honest dialogue can defuse many problems and serve as a springboard for constructive problem-solving.
• Solicit advice when needed: If you're struggling to confront a problem, don't hesitate to seek guidance from others. Outside perspectives can provide new angles for approaching the issue and encourage you to act rather than avoid.

In ostrich mistakes, what's usually lacking is both the focus on outcome and the willingness to learn from the problem. By implementing these steps, you're doing more than just resolving immediate issues; you're also building a foundation for a culture that values both learning and focuses on oucomes.

3. Stalling Mistakes

Overemphasis on Learning at the Expense of Action and Results

Stalling mistakes happen when we become engrossed in over-analysis or extensive planning, often under the pretext of learning or perfecting a solution. While the drive to learn is admirable, it often sidelines actionable outcomes, leading to missed opportunities and overall inefficiency. The paradox here is that real, meaningful learning often cannot occur without taking action; by delaying action, you're also stifling your learning potential.

Your Doorstep Actions

• Balance learning and action: Learning is crucial, but so is action. Strive to balance both by setting specific learning objectives directly tied to actionable steps. Understand that you often can't fully learn about a problem until you start taking action to solve it.
• Set actionable milestones: Establish concrete milestones that compel you to apply what you've learned. This not only propels you forward but also creates additional learning opportunities through real-world application.
• Limit research to a timeframe: If you're stuck in endless research or planning cycles, impose a time limit for this phase and stick to it. Once the time's up, shift gears from learning to doing.

In the realm of stalling mistakes, while the intent to learn is well-placed, it often becomes an obstacle to achieving actual results. By following these steps, you are not only nurturing a culture that values learning but also one that understands the importance of action and outcomes. This is true 'culture crafting,' which can lead to meaningful improvements right where you work.

4. Stretch Mistakes

Calculated Risks that Promote Growth and Innovation

Stretch mistakes are the type of errors you actually want to make. They occur when you're pushing your boundaries and stepping out of your comfort zone, aiming for a difficult goal that necessitates growth and learning. Unlike other mistake types, stretch mistakes are closely aligned with both learning and outcomes. They can often lead to surprising insights, enhanced skills, and long-term benefits that would not be possible without taking some level of risk.

Your Doorstep Actions

• Embrace Vulnerability: Recognize that making stretch mistakes means you're putting yourself in a position of vulnerability. This isn't a weakness; it's a strength. Vulnerability allows for growth, inviting us to confront our limits and extend them.
• Analyze and Adapt: After making a stretch mistake, it's important to pause, analyze what went wrong or what could be improved, and then adapt your approach accordingly. This iterative process is key to learning and future success.
• Celebrate the Effort: Regardless of the outcome, the fact that you made a stretch mistake means you pushed your boundaries. Celebrate this as an accomplishment in itself, as it signifies personal and professional growth.

In the case of stretch mistakes, the focus is not just on avoiding errors but on embracing them as a part of the learning process. By doing so, you're contributing to a culture that not only values learning and outcomes but also understands the importance of risk-taking in personal and organizational growth.

The Mistakes You Make Shape Your Team Culture

The nature of the mistakes you make can reveal much about your work culture. Whether they're recurring sloppy errors, avoidance-based ostrich mistakes, or growth-oriented stretch mistakes, each type signals something important.

Understanding these mistake types allows you to drive meaningful change, not just react to failure. Here's my advice: focus on your doorstep, act within your immediate environment—your team and your projects.

Self-Assessment: What Type of Mistakes Is Your Team Making?

Understanding the kinds of mistakes your team is prone to can offer valuable insights into work habits, focus on learning versus outcomes, and the culture you contribute to as a collective. Take a moment to complete this self-assessment to gain a better understanding of your team's mistake-making tendencies.

Instructions:

Rate each statement below on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being "Strongly Disagree" and 5 being "Strongly Agree."

Sloppy Mistakes:

1. We often find ourselves rushing through tasks.
2. We rarely double-check our work before submitting it.
3. We don't have systems in place to catch errors in our work.

Ostrich Mistakes:

1. We tend to ignore problems, hoping they will resolve themselves.
2. We avoid difficult conversations that may solve issues.
3. We seldom seek advice when facing challenges.

Stalling Mistakes:

1. We prioritize learning but often fail to take the steps needed for desired outcomes.
2. We overthink problems without taking decisive action.
3. We find ourselves caught in "analysis paralysis."

Stretch Mistakes:

1. We take calculated risks even if we may fail.
2. We actively engage in tasks that challenge our abilities.
3. We view failures as opportunities for learning and growth.

Scoring:

• Sloppy Mistakes: Sum of Questions 1-3
• Ostrich Mistakes: Sum of Questions 4-6
• Stalling Mistakes: Sum of Questions 7-9
• Stretch Mistakes: Sum of Questions 10-12

Interpretation:

• 15-20: Your team is highly prone to this type of mistake. Consider the Doorstep Actions or strategies to mitigate these tendencies.
• 10-14: Your team occasionally makes this type of mistake. Being aware of them is the first step to improvement.
• 5-9: Your team rarely makes this type of mistake. Keep up the good habits but remain vigilant.

This self-assessment can serve as a first step in recognizing your team's predispositions. Understanding these tendencies will help you know where to focus your efforts for improvement and culture crafting. Remember, the types of mistakes your team makes reflect on both the team and the culture you're a part of—so choose wisely.

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