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Failing Forward – Embracing Strategic Risk For Innovation (Growth and Creativity)
In today’s fast-paced world, successful organizations leverage intelligent failure as a learning strategy, a concept introduced by Sim Sitkin. True growth comes from experimenting with calculated risks and using failures as learning opportunities. Yet, the pressure to constantly “succeed” often stifles the innovation needed for progress.
โญ ๐๐ฃ๐ก๐ค๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐๐ก ๐๐๐ง๐ค๐ช๐๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ก๐ก๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ช๐ง๐
At Thinking Vertical, we champion the idea that intelligent failures are not just any missteps. They are the result of well-designed experiments, thoughtful actions, and intentional risks that reveal new insights and propel us forward. Hereโs how professionals can practice failing intelligently
โก๏ธ ๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐๐๐จ๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ช๐จ ๐ค๐ฃ ๐๐ง๐ค๐๐๐จ๐จ
Shift from Outcome-Based Judgments: Move to a process-oriented approach by evaluating methods and the diversity of ideas, rather than solely focusing on successes.
Pursue Ambitious Yet Achievable Goals: Create a culture of โsmall winsโ and โsmart risks,โ providing valuable insights through each experience.
โก๏ธ๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ข๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ก๐ก๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ช๐ง๐
Reward Learning, Not Just Outcomes: Tangibly support risk-taking through incentives and recognition, inspiring innovation and calculated action.
Publicly Acknowledge Intelligent Failures: Reduce stigma around setbacks by celebrating resilience and creativity, empowering teams to share learnings that drive collective growth.
โก๏ธ ๐ฝ๐ช๐๐ก๐ ๐ ๐พ๐ช๐ก๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ
Encourage a Strategic Asset Mindset: Train employees on the value of intelligent failure, shifting mindsets from risk aversion to thoughtful experimentation.
Incentivize Boundary-Pushing Behavior: Recognize that teams not encountering recent intelligent failures may signal a lack of experimentation, which can hinder growth and innovation.
โก๏ธ ๐๐ง๐๐ค๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ช๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐๐ฎ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ข๐จ ๐ค๐ซ๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ค๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ช๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ข๐๐จ
Enable Collective Learning: Implement systems that aggregate insights across teams to foster adaptability and equip teams with effective problem-solving tools.
Introduce Low-Stakes Failure Opportunities: โInoculateโ teams against high-stakes risks by providing controlled environments for practice, building confidence and resilience.
