FAILURE ISN'T AN OPTION...IT'S REQUIRED LEARNING  

    

You might not think of Benjamin Franklin as a failure. But as a prolific inventor, several of his initial concepts failed to ignite the public's fascination. Yet, the clever, often self-deprecating Franklin remained undeterred.


"I didn't fail the test," Franklin famously remarked, "I just found a hundred ways to do it wrong."

 

Pioneering minds rarely succeed on the first try, which is why the process is called "trial and error" rather than "trial and success." Effective leaders and collaborators don't simply learn from their mistakes ­- they embrace failure for its teachable moments and draw inspiration from its aftermath.

 

Whether we like it or not, we are all bound to fail at something. It isn't difficult to fail, but we must challenge ourselves to "fail better" if we are to create lasting change in the world.

 

We welcome you to contact us with your ideas or simply submit a 250-350-word summary of what you've learned about "virtuous failure." In the true spirit of collaboration, InCommons can connect you with a professional storyteller if you need help or inspiration to guide this process.

 

Is there such a thing as "successful failure?" The Wall Street Journa's Jonah Lehrer seems to think so, citing scientific data from a Michigan State University study as
his rationale. According to prominent psychologists, people with a "growth" mindset are more apt to learn from mistakes than people with a "fixed" view of intelligence and success. Essentially, those who believe they are too smart to fail are the ones who cannot improve upon their failures.

 

Lehrer notes that failure, while often difficult to swallow, is essential for improvement. "Failure is never fun," Lehrer writes, "but success requires that we learn to fight through our frustration and find the upside of error."

 

Looking through the lens of collaborative problem solving, failure itself is not noteworthy; rather, learning from mistakes provides the necessary wisdom for critical decision-making. So, why not learn from the mistakes of others to fine-tune an idea or approach?

 

For leaders who aren't afraid to fail, InCommons acts as a wellspring of connectivity by using technology, gatherings and storytelling to share experiences (including failures) with like-minded individuals.

 

Whether you're advancing a creative idea or trying to establish consensus amid diverging opinions, perhaps someone else in Minnesota has already blazed a similar trail. We encourage you to take a moment and  explore our library of contributions as inspiration of virtuous failure and perseverance.

 

Together, we can all learn to "fail better."


 

 
QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

 

If you have any questions about how to create a profile, share resources or connect with others, please contact us at info@InCommons.org or 612.520.1756.    

THE THEATER OF PUBLIC POLICY - FEBRUARY 2012 


Serious issues and improv comedy are coming back to the HUGE Theater starting in February. The Theater of Public Policy uses live improvisational theater to bring public policy issues and debates to life. Each show features a leading thinker on a particular issue who brings up the ideas and challenges used as the inspiration for the improvised scenes to follow. The issues are then brought to life through characters acting out the situations described to explore the implications of the problem and/or proposed solutions. To find out more and see the schedule of upcoming guests, visit  t2p2.net. The HUGE Theater is located at 3037 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408. 612-629-0272.


 

MINNESOTA IDEA OPEN CHALLENGE III: WORKING TOGETHER ACROSS CULTURES AND FAITHS   


Minnesotans are known for their loyalty and tight-knit relationships. However, in order to remain welcoming and open to others in a state that has become more diverse in cultures and faiths, it is increasingly important for us to find ways to get along.

 

Starting February 28, individuals and organizations from Minnesota are invited to submit their best ideas to the Idea Open Challenge. This year, we ask you to help answer the question: What is your best idea to build bonds and work together across cultures and faiths in your community?

 

The three best ideas each receive a $15,000 grant for implementation. Additionally, the individuals with the winning ideas each receive a $500 cash prize for their efforts.Visit MNIdeaOpen.org to sign up for updates and connect on Facebook and Twitter.

 
 

SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE  


Do you have experience or insight into using mistakes for professional, personal or community problem-solving? InCommons is seeking guest contributors who can address this critical component of co-creation. Please contact us with your ideas, or simply submit a 250-350-word summary of what you've learned about "virtuous failure." In the true spirit of collaboration, InCommons can connect you with a professional storyteller if you need help or inspiration to guide this process.