Positive trend?
Webb is right that there are broader cultural lessons here. While we quite rightly see failures as a negative, we have much to gain from a wider shift that reframes them not just as sources of shame or regret, but also as richly informative learning opportunities.
Some industries in which safety is a number-one priority, such as aviation or space travel, already have this mentality – but, arguably, it’s an attitude that needs to be spread more widely.
There are positive signs this is starting in some organisations. “I’m fascinated by a growing trend of companies holding ‘screw-up nights’ – the actual name is a bit more colourful,” says Fishbach. “They’re essentially consequence-free opportunities for employees to step up to the mic and talk about the mistakes they’ve made on the job.”
It takes courage to admit when you got things wrong, but if more of us could do it, we would all benefit from the lessons learned.
Dr Christian Jarrett is a senior editor at Aeon+Psyche. His next book, about personality change, will be published in 2021.
Pg 5/5
BBC / Balkantimes.press