Failure is not tolerated

Middle schoolers in this public school must write a two-page paper on why they failed and what they intend to do about it each time they receive a D or F on a test or project. Then, they must get their parents to sign it along with the teacher, and even the principal if it is a recurring problem.

Why? Because at this school "failure is not tolerated."

The result is that the students get to redo the project or retake the test and the scores are averaged together. Who wins? Sounds like the school does to me.

What exactly does this teach the students? Does it teach them the difference between failing and failure? Does it teach them that failing is part of the success process? Does it teach them that failing can actually lead to success?

Or, does it teach them to fear the prospect of failure? And, when we are afraid to fail, we become afraid to try. And, when we are afraid to try, mediocrity sets in, ambivalence takes over, and apathy becomes our driver.

Edison might have given up if he had to write a two-page paper each time he failed. Steve Jobs may never have pushed through with the Mac II when the original Mac sales were disappointing. Walt Disney would have never found Mickey. And, none of us would be standing right now, let alone walking (because as a baby we become intimately acquainted with failure as we learn to stand and walk).

We tend to think the problem with education is found in grammar, math, and history. I wonder if it is found in the way we treat those we say we care about the most.

houston@figment-consulting.com

You should fear failure

if you do not desire to grow, to learn, to improve yourself, then yes fear failure.

If, on the other hand, you see failure for what it truly is, and understand that within it lies great opportunities for those who seek for it when experiencing failure, then you can use failure to aid you in achieving greater growth.

Read more on the lives of the following and see how they understood the role failure can play in success:

Steve Jobs
Nikola Tesla
Glenn Casey
Bill Gates
Sara Blakely
Warren Buffett
Thomas Edison
Henry Ford
Arianna Huffington

houston@figment-consulting.com

Are you a Warren Buffett or a Charlie Munger?

Source: Insidermonkey.com

I am always fascinated by the people behind the scenes -- those standing in the shadows in many ways, yet playing such vital roles that oftentimes goes unnoticed. There are hundreds of books sharing the story of Walt Disney, yet one of my favorites is one on his brother Roy. Without Roy, there would never had been a Walt.

More recently is the relationship of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Could Apple have become what it is without Steve Jobs - of course not. However, the other Steve was just as critical yet one never saw him standing on the stage making the grand announcements.

And, Warren Buffett. Or, more correctly Charlie Munger. Most everyone inside and outside of the investment world has heard the name of Warren Buffett. The books on his investing strategies are numerous and even his annual reports are read by thousands upon thousands. Yet few, if any outside of the investment world, know of his right-hand man, Charlie Munger. You may find him on CNBC on occasion but you will rarely see him in the limelight for long.

Could Warren Buffett, who many call the smartest investor ever, had achieved this level of success without Charlie Munger? One will never know for sure, but the 50+-year relationship between the two men has produced quite a story.

If the role you play aligns with Warren, Steve Jobs, and Walt, then do you have a Charlie Munger at your side? One that is willing to tell you when you are doing something wrong. Or, are you playing the role of Charlie Munger? If you are, then embrace it and see what can be built. The world needs the Charlies, Roys and Wozniaks as much as it does the Warren Buffetts.

For more on this, I encourage you to read Diana McLain Smith's book: The Elephant in the Room - How Relationships Make or Break the Success of Leaders and Organizations.

houston@figment-consulting.com