WHY FAILURE DRIVES INNOVATION

There always exists a difference from a person who does things and a person who just sits back and relaxes, enjoying the show. This difference defines the road to whether one travels in the path towards success or failure.

Failure is the state or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective, and may be viewed as the opposite of success.  Even though feared by many, it’s strongly accepted as a huge step towards better innovations; be it in an individual perspective or an organizational perspective. The clue lies in how we approach the situation.

Based on how man views failure, it has been divided into 2 categories, i.e. Type 1 mindset and Type 2 mindset. The type 1 mindset is afraid of making mistakes. They fear embarrassment in front of public. This makes their innovative minds to be just incremental

However, the type 2 mindset is fearful losing out on opportunities. According to them, failure just gives them a driving force to be back in a better and more sophisticated manner so that they win. For them, sitting back is an embarrassment. They do not miss any opportunities given to them.

Usually in the school level, there are many youngsters prone to be of type 2. Yet again, situations or even their surroundings force them to be of type 1.Now, the question lies as to what can be done to initiate the change.

One method is that of rapid prototyping. In this process, a brainstorm of wild new ideas is brought up and then quickly a physical model or mock-up of a solution is developed. This will give the brain a richer input. This method also teaches that failure is not only a part, but a necessity for a positive outcome.

Another method to shift people to the type 2 mindset is by instilling in them a sense of “desperation”. This is done by cutting resources so that they are forced to devise new solutions.

Taking an example of our India, the practice of “jugad” is part of every management. Jugad literally means an improvised arrangement or work-around, which has to be used because of lack of resources.

There exist firms that use inspiration for stimulating innovation. But it at times turns to be the wrong approach. Mostly, here the type 2’s are brought together to bring their ideas. But the failure occurs due to the fact this is done in front of a set of fearful type 1 managers. One can imagine what happens to this budding people.

A very good example of where the types 2’s are allowed to cultivate their ideas in their own free space is at Cisco Systems. They have a senior manager as a motivator who helps channelize their views towards the correct way.

Nowadays, business schools are teaching rapid prototyping as a way to instill the type 2 method in their students. Thus, they are able to effectively apply human behaviour approach to customers for comfort with their buying experience.

The bottom line is still the same: The sooner one realizes that failure isn’t bad, the sooner the reach the road to breakthrough thinking.