Maria Soledad Mackinnon’s Post

When we innovate we have to accept that we sometimes fail. In this episode Amy talks about different kinds of failures and how we can use them to learn and grow as a team and organization.

❗ Raise your hand if you've succeeded in every innovation effort, without a single setback or failure. ❗ Raise your hand if you’ve felt the sinking feeling in your stomach when your innovation initiative, pilot or experiment didn't yield the expected results. 🙋🏻♀️ ❣ The truth is, few of us can claim a perfect track record in innovation. These endeavors are inherently fraught with challenges and setbacks, and it's in these moments of imperfection that we feel most vulnerable to judgment and shame. Even small changes can feel almost impossible to overcome. When our efforts don't produce the hoped-for outcomes, it's natural to feel discouraged and even humiliated. The fear of being labeled a failure and the dread of criticism can be paralyzing. This is where leaders' (and collegues, family and friends) responses are crucial. When people react to disappointing results with blame or punishment, they create a culture of fear that stifles creativity and innovation. But when we approach setbacks with empathy, understanding, and a focus on learning, we inspire teams to take calculated risks and grow. This doesn't mean that innovation and exploration should continue unchecked. Leaders must also ensure that teams evaluate their efforts, learning from failures and making informed decisions about when to pivot or persevere. As Amy Edmondson's research on psychological safety demonstrates, fostering innovation requires creating an environment where people feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and take risks. Leaders must cultivate a culture where failures in innovation, intelligent failures) are not a source of shame, but an opportunity for growth and learning. To all leaders: embrace the vulnerability that comes with innovation, pilots, and experiments. Support your teams through setbacks, celebrate lessons learned, and create a safe space for experimentation and growth, while also encouraging critical evaluation and course correction when needed. And to everyone brave enough to innovate, pilot, and experiment: remember that failures don't define you. Embrace the discomfort, learn from setbacks, and keep pushing forward with resilience and wisdom. Your courage and discernment will pave the way for tomorrow's breakthroughs. 🌍🌱 #innovation #learning #piloting #paychologicalsafety #grit Amy Edmondson

#PsychologicalSafety is the bedrock of #innovation. Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson describes an environment where team members can take risks and share their ideas without fear. Studies consistently show that when employees feel more secure speaking their minds, they are more likely to engage creative and innovative thinking that leads to better products and services to the market faster. Some leverage points to promote this psychological safety (in my experience): 1️⃣Encourage experiments, not only in actions but also as a #growth mindset. Test, learn, discuss, iterate. Experi-mentality. 😅 2️⃣Lead by example at all levels. The higher your position the more important it becomes. Active listening helps a lot. 3️⃣Foster open dialogue in daily, weekly or retrospective meetings to build an atmosphere of trust and openness for a better decision making. 4️⃣At the same time, setting boundaries in open dialogue is essential: promote constructive criticism and learn to manage the thin red line between this and a culture of complaints. 5️⃣The most difficult part for leaders is always #vulnerability. It is difficult to show it, but essential for deeper relationships. Brené Brown defined it as the courage to face "uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure."

Such an important message about being vulnerable to failure to support innovation. I have found that prototyping and SFDs (Shitty First Drafts) can be such a helpful approach to getting ideas on the table/seeking feedback early on so that we can confirm if we are on the right track or if we need to pivot. A key ingredient to prototyping and SFDs is having the safety on our teams to take risks and being vulnerable to sharing our early ideas/drafts so that we can collectively build off of them.

There are two metaphors that are frequently used that I have never liked. ❌Funnels ❌Flywheels They’re great in theory, but it’s not how things actually work. The fundamental problem with these metaphors is that both lead to an obsession with efficiency. Efficiency won’t get us very far, especially not in #revenueoperations. Rather we should focus on throughput better to navigate our constraints, bottlenecks, strengths and weaknesses. As Doug and I talk in this episode of #TheRevOpsShow - it’s all about throughput. Apple: https://hubs.ly/Q02wgS8l0 Spotify: https://hubs.ly/Q02wg-cs0

How often do you hear the term throughput in RevOps? There has been an obsession and focus on efficiency that has led to the problem of growth at all costs. Becoming more efficient doesn’t solve the problems we’re seeing today. Rather we should be focusing on throughput, which #TheRevOpsShow addresses in this episode. Apple: https://hubs.ly/Q02wgRyY0 Spotify: https://hubs.ly/Q02wgXqM0

In the realm of education and beyond, clarity is not just beneficial; it's essential for standing out. 🎯 Embracing a crystal-clear understanding of your niche can transform your approach, moving you away from the realms of generic pitches and unclear messaging. Our Signature Solution is designed to guide you through this journey towards unparalleled clarity and distinction. 🗝️ Interested in learning more? I invite you to listen to our latest episode for insights on how to refine your focus and elevate your messaging. 🔗 Apple : https://lnkd.in/dgzm64M5 🔗 🔗 Spotify : https://lnkd.in/d2xSfCCi 🔗 Together, let’s unlock your potential to stand out in your niche. #EducationInnovation #NicheMarketing #ProfessionalDevelopment #ClearCommunication #MarketingStrategy #BusinessGrowth

Aligning individual goals with company objectives can lead to extraordinary outcomes for your team and business. Check out episode #195 featuring Stephen Pastor, as he shares insights on shining brightly in a competitive industry. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on our website. #teamgoals #companygrowth #leadership

A life changing story with Dr. Trevor Bachmeyer. Part 2 available now on Apple, Spotify & Youtube. #inspiringstory #thespartan #nevermiss #trevorbachmeyer #ironandinfrastructure #ironandinfrastructurepodcast

Why does low performance happen? There are reasons why our brains allow for lower performance as time goes on... Join Zed as he walks through proven techniques for setting standards that will have your team performing at their peak. Listen to uncover... ✳️The concept of 'drift to low performance' and how it manifests in your practice ✳️Strategies for setting specific, measurable standards ✳️Techniques to shift focus from negative biases to recognizing positive performance spikes Listen on Spotify: https://hubs.ly/Q02lJc9L0 Listen on Apple: https://hubs.ly/Q02lJkYP0 Listen on Youtube: https://hubs.ly/Q02lJbvK0 Sponsored by TrackableMed