“Amy Edmondson, one of our finest business minds, offers a bold new perspective on human fallibility. With a graceful mix of scientific research and practical advice, she shows how to transform failure from an obstacle to a steppingstone — from a weight that holds up back to a wind that propels us forward. Right Kind of Wrong is guidebook for our times.”
Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Regret and Drive
In Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well, Amy C. Edmondson examines how organizations understand and respond to failure.
She argues that many leaders don’t clearly separate different types of failure.
Some mistakes are preventable and happen because of carelessness or poor processes. Others happen when people are trying something new or working in uncertain situations. When leaders don’t tell the difference, they often respond inconsistently, and the organization misses chances to learn.
Edmondson describes clear categories of failure. She explains that preventable errors should be reduced through better systems and accountability. But failures that happen during thoughtful experimentation should be judged by what the organization learns from them.
By separating these types of failure, leaders can hold people accountable without discouraging innovation.
The book combines research with examples from business and healthcare. Edmondson shows how workplace culture shapes whether employees speak up about problems or hide them.
When people are afraid of being blamed, they often keep mistakes quiet.
When leaders encourage honesty, organizations gain valuable information that helps them improve and make better decisions.
Right Kind of Wrong shows how leaders can limit avoidable mistakes while still promoting smart risk-taking and steady learning.
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