Rather than seeing failure as something to correct, why not begin celebrating failure? That’s the approach of Astro Teller who shares his aim of ‘shooting for the moon’ in this fascinating TED Talk.
Looking at huge problems, radical solutions and breakthrough technology creates a messy place. As a result most of his and his team’s time is spent breaking things. But with this approach, breaking things is something to get excited about. “How are we going to kill our project today?” Every project is attacked head on, tackling the hardest parts of any problem first. Consequently, projects can be killed off if they aren’t viable or creativity and alternatives are identified.
“Shifting perspective is more powerful than being smart” is especially relevant in the context of ‘failure’. Obstacles thought of in this way quickly changes the whole mindset.
So as leaders and educators, how can we make this the path of least resistance? How do we facilitate an environment that encourages failure and the learning that follows. Because if we do, we will be creating a generation who will shoot past the moon.
See the full 15 minute TED Talk below.
Interested in continual learning? Check out other videos we have shared here.
