This is the second in a series of posts featuring tips and tools used to help participants of the Ibiza Service Jam discover how a design thinking can transform the way we look at problems.
"Warm-ups" were one of the most valuable tools we employed at the Global Service Jam. They were used to raise energy levels, build comradery and create a safe space that allowed teams to succeed and fail together.
Failure.
As humans, we are conditioned against failure. From the smallest failure to the largest, we exert tremendous amounts of mental energy avoiding the impact of this seven-letter word. Add in the pressure of working with a group of people you don’t know and your “failure filter” is likely to kick into high gear.
The truth is, failure is essential for innovation and creative thinking. Failure is essential to success.[1]
John Maxwell, author of Failing Forward, argues it is not opportunity, morals or absence of hardship that lead to success. “The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure.”[2]
Creating a safe space for failure in a design thinking workshop is about changing an individual’s perception of failure. It is about shifting the inner dialogue from, “that’s a stupid idea, I can’t say it out loud” to “maybe this idea will help us get to the next step or inspire another idea.”
In this safe space, brainstorming flows more freely, discussions are open and innovation happens.
How to create a safe space for failure
- First, design warm-ups which allowed participants to “fail” on a small level. Be strategic about the placement of the warm-ups by reading the needs of your group. In general, warm-ups are a great way to start off the day with a reminder to have fun and not worry about failing. Other times for a warm-up might be before a brainstorming/ideation session or when you see a low point in teamwork and openness.
- Be sure to set the stage by talking about the value each individual brings to a team regardless of their experience with design thinking. Do this with words or an activity, but most importantly, by modeling the behavior. As a facilitator, don’t be afraid to show a few of your own vulnerabilities or share examples of times you were able to learn from failures.
- Teach participants (and model it yourself) how to replace the phrase “yes, but…” with “yes, and…” to build on other’s ideas instead of finding flaws.
- As groups begin to work together, mentor teams closely. At first you might need to work to coax out new ideas or balance different personalities.
---
Sources
[1] Charles C. Manz, The Power of Failure: 27 Ways to Turn Life’s Setbacks Into Success, 1st edition (San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2002), 1.
[2] John C. Maxwell, Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success, Reprint edition (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2007), 2.