In the sport of baseball a batter who is considered exceptional does not get a good result slightly more than two out of three times at bat. Yes it’s true! A batter who consistently registers a .300 batting average is a high quality prospect and player in baseball.
This translates to the other slightly more than two at bats where an out was made. Not a hit. The intended result. An out. Not the intended result.
How does that register with you?
Would you be happy with one yes out of three meetings? One real business success and the other two business failures? One solid idea which results in some traction. Two or more ideas which end up nowhere?
Three new employees are hired. One of them is working out well. The other two, not so much.
How do you measure success?
Go to the comments area and write in your view. We all want to know – tell us – thank you and come right back when you are done.
The thought of dealing with failure creates fear in the majority of people. Are you able to imagine a baseball player not walking up to the plate and taking their at bat because they fear that at least two out three times they will not be successful? Let that sink in for a moment.
Why do we – all of us – have a fear of failure?
There are a multitude of examples which could be displayed out now from Thomas Edison all the way through Steve Jobs. My point here is to ask you, plead with you, to create a culture in your business which does not have a fear of failure!
Instead view failure as not getting the result intended right then. Utilizing that process or those marketing methods or the specific techniques implemented the results were not optimal. Then go back and test new versions of whatever you do and go out and do it again and again.
Please don’t take this to mean throw money out the window. This is a mindset and culture issue. Throw things up against the wall and see what sticks type of thinking along with strategy.
Eric Reis talks about this specifically in his book “Lean Start Up”. Start when you have something to start with. Odds are good this will not be a perfect whatever it is – a product – a service – a concept – just get it out there to your audience and test it. Obtain feedback from the audience. Go back and consider what the feedback they gave you and make changes and adjustments. Maybe start all over. Then do it over again by going out to your audience with a not perfect item and obtain feedback.
Notice there is no word failure here.
Instead what is taking place is when the results are not optimal and feedback is obtained it is back to the drawing board and revising, changing, and improving what you had before. In my mind a much more productive way to operate than to yell and scream at people about their failures.
Mitch Tublin runs a boutique consulting firm where adding value to individuals, teams, organizations and companies is the mission. The main focus is typically on establishing effective communication, setting clear and concise goals and strategies and developing leaders throughout all levels.
