In response to an earlier post about Mistake of the Month Awards, Lewis wrote:
“My service frat had an award named for the first big mistaker who bought way too many flowers for a fund raiser. Needless to say, it was not a coveted award.
“Even though the awardees were usually risk takers (in a good way) who strove to do bigger and better charitable events, no one wanted to “win” it so the award itself often stymied innovation.
“I think the award finally faded away once my mother “won” it for having two too many sons. My brother, also in this service frat, and I were the only two children she had:). She actually came to campus to give the award away the next semester but I can’t remember it ever being awarded again.
“So if a “mistake of the month” award is given, MUCH care must be taken to ensure that it conveys a desire to award innovation in a positive way. Otherwise, no one will take any risks for fear of being a winner of the mistake award!”
What a great story. Thank you, Lewis! I agree wholeheartedly.
The mistake awards and rewards we love and support are the ones that encourage communication and creativity. From digging into the problem in order to solve it, we gain deeper knowledge that will help us prevent the same problem in the future. Maybe even create something better in the process – a new system, a new product, a new or deeper relationship – and of course, better morale and productivity.
It’s important to clarify that the celebrations and awards that we have discussed here are not for making the mistakes – but for managing them in a way that allows us to get “full” benefit.
One of those benefits is that we can put the mistake to rest and feel safe as we move forward – not so that we can work carelessly – but so that we can work confidently – leaving the door wide open to discovery and innovation.
copyright 2009 – Business Class Inc
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