Yeah – I made a mistake!
It's interesting how often we hear people talk about success and its celebration. Don't get me wrong, celebrating achievements is important and beneficial. However, today I want to shift the focus to mistakes and why we need to celebrate them.
When a significant mistake occurs, it's common for the blame game to commence. We’ve all done it.
But rather than finding someone to hold accountable, what if we prioritize preventing similar mistakes from happening in the future?
Throughout my career, I have conducted numerous root cause analyses, delving deep into the core of issues to understand what went wrong and why. And you know what? Every single time, without exception, it turned out that the mistake wasn't due to an individual's personal blunder. Instead, it was a flaw within the system or a weakness within a process that inevitably led to that particular mistake. It was only a matter of time for it to happen.
Mistakes are not failures to be condemned; they are priceless opportunities for learning and growth.
Psychological safety expert Amy Edmonson distinguishes blameworthy mistakes. Those that constitute the knowing crossing of values and boundaries. Only ~2% of all mistakes are blameworthy but more than 70% of mistakes are treated as blameworthy causing significant harm to your culture of learning.
I advocate for celebrating mistakes as much as achievements. How about implementing a "Biggest Fail of the Month" celebration within your team, perhaps even accompanied by an award? This celebration could aim to honor mistakes and foster a positive culture of improvement, creating a shared understanding that these errors should never recur. If they do, they are still not blameworthy. They are now preventable because celebrating and analyzing mistakes provides a platform for discussing and implementing measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
This approach is rooted in creating an environment where errors are seen as stepping stones towards progress, rather than a reason for blaming or shaming individuals. We should promote open dialogue surrounding mistakes, cultivating an atmosphere where team members feel safe and comfortable sharing their experiences without fear of judgment or reprisal.
During the celebration, we do not only acknowledge and appreciate the courage and honesty of those who step forward with their mistakes, but also highlight that taking ownership of these errors demonstrates integrity and a commitment to personal and professional growth. Individuals are given the opportunity to share their experiences with the rest of the team, fostering knowledge sharing and creating a culture of collective learning.
Instead of criticism, we prioritize offering constructive feedback to help individuals understand the root causes of their mistakes and identify areas for improvement. This feedback is delivered with empathy and the intention of supporting their future endeavors.
While we don’t make light of mistakes, a lighthearted and supportive atmosphere during the celebration is key. Incorporating humor or small gestures like humorous awards or prizes can help alleviate tension and foster camaraderie among team members.
Following the celebration, we encourage individuals to implement the lessons learned from these mistakes by setting specific goals and action plans. This ensures that the insights gained from mistakes are translated into tangible improvements in their work.
By celebrating mistakes in this way, we establish a culture that embraces experimentation, innovation, and continuous learning. The "Biggest Fail of the Month" celebration serves as a powerful reminder that mistakes are not to be feared but rather embraced as opportunities for personal and team growth.