Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well

I finally got around to reading Amy Edmondson's 𝘙𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭 this week and was not disappointed. As a true believer in embracing failure at a necessary element of learning and growth, her book struck all the right chords.𝘙𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘞𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 builds on the central concept that not all failures are created equal. She categorizes failures into three types: basic, complex, and intelligent. Basic failures are simple, preventable mistakes in familiar situations, while complex failures involve errors with multiple causes in well-known settings. The most valuable, however, are intelligent failures, which occur when we push the envelope, experiment with new ideas, or challenge the status quo. These failures - though they may not achieve the desired outcome - offer valuable insights and opportunities for improvement. As long as you're willing to listen to your own failures.There are three key pieces to building a culture that provides the psychological safety net necessary for individuals to feel comfortable taking risks, speaking up, and making mistakes. One, you have to encourage open communication and the sharing of ideas. Two, you need to respond empathetically to mistakes and dissent. Three, you must proactively invite input and feedback from all levels. That requires leadership without a lot of ego... a subject for another book on another day.What are some good examples of intelligent failure?Thomas Edison's light bulb experiments comes to mind, where he famously said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." His numerous experiments with different materials for the light bulb filament were intelligent failures that ultimately led to the invention of the practical incandescent light bulb. A more recent one might be 3M's discovery of the low-tack adhesive used in Post-It notes. That came on the heels of multiple failed attempts to create a super-strong - e.g., Super Glue - adhesive.A great book, a quick read, and one that will have you thinking of your own failures throughout. Pick up a copy and start failing.

I thoroughly appreciate this book and the way Amy Edmondson breaks down the three types of failures, showing how we can leverage each to improve our leadership and professional skills. I’ve already incorporated the lessons from this book into my well-being presentations and will continue to draw on Dr. Edmondson’s scientific approach to analyzing failure to help foster a growth mindset in others.One of my favorite sections was her systematic literature review, where she connected her insights to the work of other psychologists. It felt like I was reading her most recent dissertation, and I mean that as a compliment — it was both rigorous and fascinating.Excellent work, Dr. Edmondson. I look forward to continuing to follow your research and learning from your future contributions. Thank you.

This is a good book. It’s easy to understand. Complex subjects are broken down effectively. It is, however, I think a book for people who work in offices. I felt there was less practical application for a person just looking to improve themselves generally.

I learned so much reading The Right Kind of Wrong. Edmondson explains how to prevent basic failures, how to create a space for intelligent failures and how to accept the inevitability of mistakes and failures of all kinds in the contexts of business, science, and -- unexpectedly -- family life. I was amazed at how well Edmondson illustrated a concept by alternating examples each of four different contexts: manufacturing, scientific innovation, medicine, and family.Reading the book you will learn how to build resilience as well as perhaps correct some misconceptions you had about the value of failure. For example: we learn that a fail fast mindset makes sense only when you’ve put some thought into what you are trying (to just “try stuff” is the wrong kind of wrong”). Likewise the pulling the Andon cord in a factory (ala The Toyota Production System) isn’t stopping the line immediately but rather signaling that there may be an issue and starting the process of investigation.Fear of failure and fear of rejection because you identified a failure (yours or one elsewhere in the system) is ingrained. It’s only by understanding that we won’t get it right all the time will we be able to improve and innovate. And this book is a guide to navigating that learning.Parents, managers, and individuals and individual contributors in all fields are likely to find something useful here. If want to know how to be better at accepting, and growing from, the inevitable uncertainties and failures in life and work, or want to learn how to create systems that better enable others do this this, The Right Kind of Wrong is worth a read!