How to learn from failure in five steps: a technique both managers and subordinates can use

3.5.2023

"The road to success is paved with partial failures." You can often read quotes like this in self-development texts and professional textbooks for managers, frequently accompanied by the remark that there is always a lesson to be learned from failure. But how actually to learn from failure in practice? Here is a five-point technique managers can use themselves, or pass on to subordinates to help them with their own analysis.

Illustration

This text is based on an article on Addicted2Success.com.

Determine if the failure is not just your own perception

First and foremost, you need to make sure that, objectively, it really is a question of failure. It may just be your subjective perception: just because you may have subconsciously hoped for a better result does not mean what you did achieve is necessarily bad. It is just a feeling on your part? Or do you simply need to adjust your expectations or goals?

Find out exactly where the mistake happened

If it is indeed a failure or a loss, you now need to ascertain exactly where the mistake happened. Just because the outcome did not turn out the way it should have does not in itself give you enough insight into what actually happened. Find out exactly where the problem occurred and quantify and specify the problem as much as possible.

Go to the heart of the problem

In order to learn from failure, you must not just skim the surface, so to speak, when analysing the problem. For example, if it occurred because someone did not finish their task in time, that is not a sufficient explanation. Why did they fail to do it? Is the person overwhelmed with work? Is there ineffective communication within the team or does the person not have the knowledge to handle the task quickly and efficiently on their own? Or is there poor delegation of tasks within the team? In your analysis, you need to go to the heart of the problem.

Determine what to do differently next time to avoid the problem

Now that you have all the information described above, the actual moment of learning can occur. Be clear about what you will do differently next time to avoid the problem or eliminate the risk as much as possible. Depending on the severity of the problem, you need to make a good decision about how fundamental changes to the way you or your team work need to be made.

Find out what you have done well

The whole analysis must not be just about what was wrong. On every project, even the seemingly most botched one, you can find something you definitely did well. This "positive analysis" will help you excel the next time you tackle a similar project. That is why it should not be underestimated.

-mm-

Article source Addicted2Success - web focused on personal development and reaching success in business and life
Read more articles from Addicted2Success

Comments 0

Planning and workload management