Want to Win? Want to Learn? Plan to Fail

I recently downloaded an app to help my 6-year-old son, Max, learn how to code, and well, for me to learn too.  One day he kept calling me over to help him. I watched him get extremely frustrated because he couldn’t figure out one of the levels and he wanted to quit. (Now, I paid $6.99 for this highly rated app, and we sure as heck were going to get our money’s worth.) 

Here is what happened next:

·         I asked him to let me have a try.

·         I tried something.  It didn’t work.

·         I tried something else.  It didn’t work.

·         I told him I was going to try something else, and it probably wouldn’t work, but it would help me learn the sequence.

·         I tried it; it didn’t work.

·         I didn’t get upset, and I kept going.  

·         He watched in amazement.  I didn’t get mad.  And I kept trying.

·         We eventually figured out the first few sequences, tried a few different moves to see what would happen, and finally passed the level.

What did Max learn by watching me?

1. It was okay to fail.  And to try things that weren’t going to provide the immediate answer. (Luckily there were unlimited lives).

2. There is no point in getting upset. It won’t help us beat the fuzzy alien asteroids.

3. Communicate your plan, and why you are selecting a certain method to solve a problem.  It will explain the why, reinforce learning and actively demonstrate the value of predicting failures and risk.

4. There’s no silver bullet.  He started to think strategically.  He tried different moves, began to understand the cause and effects of his actions, so he could finalize his plan to knock out the asteroids.  (Honestly, I almost cried as I was so excited to see how quickly he figured out a new way to attack this game).

To all the leaders out there: Are you leading by example?  Demonstrating that it’s okay to fail? Learning from each misstep to help your next move?  Explaining the why?

For those who are scared to fail: Are you asking for help?  Are you communicating your plans?  Predicting where you might fail? Learning as you go? Staying calm and focused?

It’s challenging universe out there.  Planning, predicting where you might fail, and recovering quickly will you help be more agile, achieve wins faster, and be someone others look to for support when challenged.  (Or when fighting a rainbow alien in a youth coding app).

For more guidance while navigating in the unknown, fighting fuzzy pink asteroids and planning your next wins, reach out to JointPivot to help you put together your strategic plan of attack.