Introducing Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well by Amy Edmondson
Written by Stuart Haden on September 18, 2024
The concept of this book is simple and the title tells you everything you need to know. If exploring the science of failure is something you are interested in then yes this book could give you the answers you are looking for. That said there are lots of examples in the book that are ultimately making the same or similar points.
If you do get a copy I’d encourage you to be clear on the context you want to explore and then skip, skim and speed read your way to find sections that resonate. Or at least that was my experience with this book.
Luckily I found that in the penultimate chapter, Systems and Synergy.
Firstly, a quick definition of the former “derived from the Greek for ‘putting together,’ the word system refers to a set of elements (or parts) that come together to form a meaningful whole—that is, a recognizable entity.”
Second, a quick reminder of synergy, “the whole is more than the sum of the parts.”
Thirdly, looking for application Edmondson explores relationships. In this context the relationship between parts that can then start to explain a system’s behaviour. Rather than a more traditional view of trying to predict the behaviour of the parts separately. Of course most of our up brining hasn’t prepared us to value and see systems. And even if we do, the most common cause of system failure is that we try to optimize our own areas, healthy competition at its worst.
I enjoyed the illustration of this point by looking at the differences between graphite, (think pencils) and diamonds. Both consist exclusively of carbon atoms. But the difference in the geometric relationship (diamonds are triangulated, whereas graphite is arranged hexagonally) result in profoundly different substances.
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