Training, learning and having a go

There is a great deal written about the positive aspects of failure. At this time of the year many trainers and teachers are heading into assessments and exams. Some participants will pass and some will fail. I don’t know any teacher/trainer who likes to fail people but it will occur and it can be communicated in a way that says, learn from this and have another go. The video below may provide some inspiration. For me it has two key messages. One, failure is necessary for learning. It is about pushing the boundaries and learning from mistakes to emerge a better, smarter, more skilled person the next time around. Two, as trainers/teachers we play a great role in how participants see failure. We need to train people for failure and what to do when it occurs. We must encourage experimentation and insist on excellence, not mediocrity.