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"The Unexpected Benefit of Celebrating Failure"

Video Summary:

The speaker of the TED Talk on failure works for X- The Moon Shot Factory. At X, the goal is to uncover a huge problem, think of a radical solution, and then try to prove that you’re wrong. If you do the hardest parts first, it will keep you from hitting a dead end farther down the road. Discovering problems in a project sometimes puts in on a better path. For example, one team at X was working on a car that was almost in complete control and would only turn the power steering on if something went wrong. When the feedback came that this was a terrible idea, for drivers weren’t paying attention like they should have been, the team shifted their perspective and began working on a car that is in complete control.

Screenshot from the video showing X’s thought process for projects
Employees at X are rewarded and promoted if their idea fails in order for them to feel safe in failing. This idea stemmed from the consensus of being uncomfortable with working on risky projects. At X, they want their projects to fail early if they aren’t good enough; therefore, they reward those teams that do to show it’s okay. Success at X comes from failing. Skepticism is seen as the perfect partner for optimism, for it unlocks the potential in a project. X is currently working on a project for balloon powered internet that could potentially give internet access to millions by riding the wind and navigating on its own. The balloon is being tested in various aspects and hasn’t failed yet.

What are the implications for you? What are the implications for children and youth?

Watching this TED Talk made me realize that having big dreams is important, but having a plan on how to persue them is even better. Towards the beginning of the video the speaker says, “Great dreams aren’t just visions. They are visions coupled to strategies for making them real.” I think this is a big implication for me as well as for children and youth. It’s good to have goals and dreams, but having a plan of action to reach those goals is a necessity. Personally, whenever I have a goal for the future, I never take into consideration how I will reach it. Watching this video has made me aware of the fact that I need to consider my dreams if I am ever going to meet them. In order to keep visions big, you must implement concrete plans to make them real.

Another implication involves the shifting of perspective. Later in the video the speaker says, “Sometimes shifting your perspective is more powerful than being smart.” Being able to shift your perspective will allow you to see things through a different lens and may lead you down a more accurate path. For me, this is important to take into consideration as a future educator. When teaching a lesson, it’s crucial to understand that some students may not grasp the concepts. If I learn how to see their perspective, I will be able to see the mistakes they are making and adjust my teaching strategy accordingly. For children and youth, learning how to see the perspective of their peers will allow them to sympathize with them and become less self absorbed through the process. Adolescents tend to focus on their own self image, preventing them from understanding the opinions and thoughts of others. Shifting one’s perspective directs their thoughts onto a more productive path.

I think this video is informative in the fact that it highlights the importance of goal setting paired with a plan to reach the goal, as well as the importance of being able to shift perspective. The implications it makes are incredibly important and I will take them with me on my journey to become an educator.

Below is the video. Enjoy!

Comments

  1. Very interesting perspectives, Kayla. How do we block failure in schools? How could we reinforce it?

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  2. I agree that it is good to have a goal. I'd also argue that it is important to leave room for failure before ever reaching the expected goal. I like your points on perspective because the way we view ourselves and our process is the key to our success, and our failure.

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