I've been doing a lot of thinking about this... I'm CEO of a Hospice and failure could have serious consequences for patients. And yet, I know that I've I my got to where I am because of the times I've screwed up or tried something that didn't work. I guess more accurately, I'vr got to where I am because of my response to those failures, of shaking myself down and moving onwards with lessons learned. So how do we introduce failing and learning into an environment that failure could have huge significance and consequence.
So glad this was brought up! When we started Fail-a-brations, I had no intention of taking it beyond friends. However, once I saw teachers throwing their own and hearing their stories, I was stuck by how high the stakes were for their failures and yet also their need to share with each other, encourage, etc. This became especially true during sessions with those working in healthcare. Hearing surgeons tell stories and realizing the immense pressure they’re under to not mess up, I found it fascinating that their Fail-a-bration sessions were often the funniest, most vulnerable, and most impactful. It was a release valve they’d been needing.
I do feel as though it’s not something we’re “allowed” to talk about at work. At least not in so many words… although the older we attendings get the more comfortable we are with admitting how little certainty we really have… (On the other hand I also find myself chafing at commonly used expressions, like “failed extubation” — describing what happened when we wanted to see if a baby could breathe on their own— but then I feel like I’m wasting everyone’s time with observations about language! We probably can’t celebrate a baby not able to breathe independently. But I still think these are issues that need more attention/discussion…)
One of my favorite things in my classroom is my "Fantastic Fails" wall. Kids can be proud of a failure they've had in class by adding it to the wall anytime. They also like to read other fails which makes them more comfortable failing.
As a learning specialist, I was more concerned about the Kindergarteners who could read than the ones that couldn't. All the initial concepts were part of the curriculum for the non-readers. I needed to instruct the others on strategies for when they would invariably fail as they went past the usual beginning level texts. When things come easily, first failures are scary for little people.
I am so looking forward to reading this! I keep pondering how we might teach/learn failure in medical school and practice.
I've been doing a lot of thinking about this... I'm CEO of a Hospice and failure could have serious consequences for patients. And yet, I know that I've I my got to where I am because of the times I've screwed up or tried something that didn't work. I guess more accurately, I'vr got to where I am because of my response to those failures, of shaking myself down and moving onwards with lessons learned. So how do we introduce failing and learning into an environment that failure could have huge significance and consequence.
So glad this was brought up! When we started Fail-a-brations, I had no intention of taking it beyond friends. However, once I saw teachers throwing their own and hearing their stories, I was stuck by how high the stakes were for their failures and yet also their need to share with each other, encourage, etc. This became especially true during sessions with those working in healthcare. Hearing surgeons tell stories and realizing the immense pressure they’re under to not mess up, I found it fascinating that their Fail-a-bration sessions were often the funniest, most vulnerable, and most impactful. It was a release valve they’d been needing.
I do feel as though it’s not something we’re “allowed” to talk about at work. At least not in so many words… although the older we attendings get the more comfortable we are with admitting how little certainty we really have… (On the other hand I also find myself chafing at commonly used expressions, like “failed extubation” — describing what happened when we wanted to see if a baby could breathe on their own— but then I feel like I’m wasting everyone’s time with observations about language! We probably can’t celebrate a baby not able to breathe independently. But I still think these are issues that need more attention/discussion…)
One of my favorite things in my classroom is my "Fantastic Fails" wall. Kids can be proud of a failure they've had in class by adding it to the wall anytime. They also like to read other fails which makes them more comfortable failing.
I cried watching the mini video.
Looking forward to reading this! Love you guys!
Your first video really made me laugh. And the second video you shared made me think. You are great at getting us to think and smile.
yes it should! Failure is just learning. We are all on a learning journey- forever!
As a learning specialist, I was more concerned about the Kindergarteners who could read than the ones that couldn't. All the initial concepts were part of the curriculum for the non-readers. I needed to instruct the others on strategies for when they would invariably fail as they went past the usual beginning level texts. When things come easily, first failures are scary for little people.
My book came today, and it’s wonderful! I can’t wait to share it with my students.