The Subtle Art of productive failure. Lessons from Amy Edmondson's book "Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well."

In the compliance arena, where errors often come with a high price, the concept of welcoming failure might appear contradictory. But what if I told you that failure could be your most valuable teacher? This is the essence of Amy C. Edmondson's thought-provoking book, "Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well." Her insights offer a fresh and much-needed perspective for anyone in the compliance field.

First things first, let’s address the elephant in the room: failure in compliance can indeed have serious consequences. There’s no denying that. However, Edmondson, a Harvard Business School professor with a flair for flipping traditional concepts on their heads, invites us to look at failure through a different lens. She argues that there are different types of failure – not all are catastrophic, and some are actually necessary for learning and innovation.

Imagine you're navigating a maze. Every wrong turn isn’t a step back; it’s a clue to the right path. Edmondson categorizes these missteps into three types: basic, complex, and intelligent. Basic failures are your run-of-the-mill errors, often preventable and straightforward to fix. Complex failures are trickier; they emerge from the unpredictable nature of our work environments. Then there are intelligent failures – the golden nuggets. These occur when we bravely experiment in uncertain conditions, and they’re rich with learning potential.

For people in the compliance world, this is groundbreaking. We’re used to seeing failure as the enemy, something to avoid at all costs. But Edmondson’s theory suggests that intelligent failures are not just inevitable, they’re invaluable. They’re opportunities to learn, grow, and innovate in our approaches to compliance.

Let’s be real – the idea of embracing failure doesn’t mean being reckless. It’s about cultivating a workplace where people feel safe to speak up, make suggestions, and yes, sometimes get it wrong. It’s in these environments that the magic happens. Teams can identify potential risks more proactively, brainstorm creative solutions, and build stronger, more resilient compliance systems.

Edmondson backs up her theory with compelling stories from various sectors, showing how this approach has transformed organizations. For compliance people, these stories can serve as a blueprint for building a culture where learning from mistakes is as natural as celebrating successes.

In short, "Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well" it’s an invitation to embrace our human fallibility, to learn from our blunders, and to understand that sometimes, the fastest way forward is to take a step back, analyze our missteps, and adjust our course. So, next time you face a setback in your compliance work, remember: it might just be the kind of wrong you need to steer you in the right direction.