This is a topic I feel strongly about, as I am forever seeing on my assignments, and hearing from friends far too many people are scared of making mistakes. Their line managers, assignment managers, and senior leaders are creating cultures where mistakes are incorrectly seen as conscious choices to create issues and cause delays, or a sign of lack of competence, diligence, effort and experience. I could not disagree more. So, I thought, why not blog about.
I have always been a strong proponent for myself, for those that work directly for me, or with me, that we should always be striving for more. Pushing to develop ourselves for the benefit of both us and the company we are working for.
To thrive we have to grow, to grow we have to try new things, to experiment - and that by it's very nature means making mistakes. I believe this is called fostering a growth mindset in modern development speak.
Mistakes, to me, are mostly a sign of growth, of trying something different, of exploring a new perspective, a new approach; or pushing boundaries. This not only improves ourselves, but also the environment we work in, the quality of the work we deliver and by proxy therefore the company we are working for and it's clients or customers.
This is not an uncommon viewpoint, there are many famous quotes that talk about this.
A life spent making mistakes is not only more honourable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing - George Bernard Shaw
Mistakes are the seeds from which tress of knowledge grow - Peter Drucker
Mistake are the portals of discovery - James Joyce
There are even anagrams of Mistakes to emphasise this view:
So, I have to ask, if there is so much evidence that mistakes are actually positives things, why are so many corporate cultures not treating them in that way? Is it that they are looking for a one size fits all and see all mistakes the same? If so - let's address that. I like this model from MindsetWorks that categories mistakes into 4 simply groups based on the learning opportunity they afford us and the level of intentionality of the mistake-maker. See what you think:
1. Stretch Mistakes: The Path to Progress
Stretch mistakes occur when we push ourselves beyond our current capabilities. Far from being negative, these mistakes signify a willingness to challenge ourselves and expand our skills. They are crucial for growth, prompting us to explore new perspectives and approaches. Reflection on stretch mistakes allows us to refine our strategies, ensuring that each attempt takes us closer to mastering a new level of ability.
2. Aha-Moment Mistakes: Unveiling Hidden Knowledge
Aha-moment mistakes happen when we achieve our intended goal but later realise it was a mistake due to missing knowledge. These moments of realisation are powerful catalysts for growth. Reflecting on what went unexpectedly well and why provides insights into areas where we can deepen our understanding. Embracing aha-moments encourages continuous learning and a richer understanding of our endeavours.
3. Sloppy Mistakes: The Human Element
Sloppy mistakes occur when we perform tasks we already know but falter due to lapses in concentration. As human beings, occasional sloppiness is inevitable. Recognising these mistakes as opportunities for improvement is key. Reflection allows us to identify factors affecting our focus, enabling us to optimise our environment, habits, or processes for enhanced performance.
4. High-Stakes Mistakes: Balancing Risk and Reward
In situations where mistakes could have severe consequences, such as in safety-critical environments or commercial consequences, minimising high-stakes mistakes is essential. However, in performance-driven scenarios, mistakes can still offer valuable insights. Reflection post-event allows us to assess our progress, identify effective approaches, and determine areas for further growth. Whether we achieve our goals or not, the focus should always shift back to continuous practice, challenging ourselves, and embracing new learning opportunities.
I think, based on what I have experienced, that most ill-informed or disengaged managers/leaders assume the mistakes being made are all sloppy mistakes. To me, this sadly signifies that the organisation thinks very little of it's people, and does think or want them to grow, nor thinks they can grow. We cannot really blame people for having this attitude to miskates, after all we are taught from a very young age that mistakes are bad. Our parents, society, teachers and other adults all tell us so:
In School we learn that mistakes are bad, and we are punished for making them. Yet, if you look at the way humans are designed to learn, we learn by making mistakes. We learn to walk by falling down. If we never fell down, we could never walk. - Robert T Kiyosaki
So, if you are a manager of people - think about how you can create the space for all these types of mistakes which will provide your people with the culture and environment to push their comfort zones (leading to stretch mistakes), with the potential for growth in performance that will elevate not only the individuals but the team, you and the company (High-stakes and Aha-moment Mistakes).
Another factor that needs to be considered is how you communicate around the impact of mistakes. This needs to be aligned with the growth mindset all and appropriate to the impact. The individual's reaction to a mistake can be very polarising for their future development, and we want to ensure that we are holding a safe space for them to be able to vulnerably and authentically explore it and apply the learning..
You can pick up a mistake and carry it as a burden; or you can set it down and use it as a stepping stone to greatness - Cherie Carter-Scott
A manager/leaders' responsibility is to help them see it as a stepping stone. To me, I like it when I see regular mistakes from my team as it means they are seeking new perspectives, trying new things and pushing boundaries. Static behaviour is, in my mind, what can lead to Sloppy Mistakes when inertia, boredom and apathy set in.
I will add a caveat at this point - a slight rabbit hole detour - one thing in the realm of mistakes that I cannot abide is the same mistake made more than once. I am 100% with Steven Denn when he says:
You can never make the same mistake twice because the second time you make it, it's not a mistake it's a choice - Steven Denn
It is the individuals accountability to make note and learn from their mistakes and it is the managers responsibility to hold them to account on that. How to do this varies greatly depending on the personality of the individuals, the length of the manager relationship with them and the type of interactions they have. If it's a formal connection and structured, then use that structure to curate a learning plan and apply it. If it's a more informal chat type setup then have it as an agenda point for each 121. All companies have performance processes that include the likes of improvement plans all the way through to formal warnings. These should be considered and used appropriately if the same mistakes are repeated over and over again. But you owe it to each other to explore the type of mistake that was made, the rationale for it and to encourage the stepping stone view, which is then followed through with demonstrable action
OK rabbit hole detour over, back to the positivity of mistakes....
Mistakes are a fact of life. they will happen! In all their forms, they are indispensable companions on our journey of growth and learning. By reframing our perspective on mistakes, we transform them from hindrances into stepping stones toward personal and professional excellence for the individual involved, and the team around them.
As we navigate the intricate dance of trial and error, let's celebrate each misstep as a testament to our commitment to progress and continuous improvement. After all, the journey of growth is a lifelong adventure, and mistakes are our trusted guides along the way.
Fostering a culture that acknowledges and values mistakes is essential for personal and professional growth. Embracing a mindset that sees mistakes as opportunities rather than setbacks is crucial in today's dynamic work environment. Let's challenge ourselves and our managers and leaders to cultivate an environment that encourages exploration, learning, and the continuous pursuit of excellence, through safe and supported mistake making.
Until next time...
Blessed Be
