Failing Forward

We all have failed. And we often talk about failure in our agile community because of its duality.

• Many look at it superficially as a, well, failure. Something terrible, to be avoided, and to be judged poorly for.

• A wiser few understand it for what it is, a learning experience that makes us better.

I offer you a metaphor I was introduced to me by John Maxwell in his book by the same title. That is the notion of—

Failing Forward

It’s resonated with me for many years, and I envision aspects of—

• Phoenix rising

• Reflective learning

• Experimenting

• Innovating

• Risk taking

• Dusting yourself off and moving forward

Whenever I think of it, it’s a positive and forward-looking reaction to failure that reframes it very positively for me.

I like to use that language, failing forward, in my day-to-day leadership language. To try to shape the culture to be risk- and change-friendly. To be curious. And to try new things and at times—

Gloriously Failing Forward!

Stay agile, my friends,

Bob.

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