26A – Celebrating Failure

1) Tell us about a time this past semester that you failed -- whether in this class or outside of this class. Don't spare any details! It'd be even better if there was something you tried several times this semester and failed each time.

I worked 2 months on a project to redesign the workflows my Talent Acquisition team uses so that there would be a better user experience for our hiring managers. I mapped out the old processes, worked with my team to identify opportunities, and then created the new processes. I presented the new workflows to the HR Director during a 30-minute meeting, only to get a quick no at the end of the presentation.

2) Tell us what you learned from it. 

What I learned is that the HR Director was not concerned about the actual workflows my team used. She was more concerned about how the new workflows would create a better experience for our hiring managers. After figuring this out, I grabbed another 15-minute meeting on the HR Director’s calendar and showed her the improved experience for our hiring managers and she approved the new workflows.

3) Reflect, in general, on what you think about failure. Failure is hard, isn't it? It's embarrassing, sure, but it also means that we must change something about ourselves. Talk about how you handle failure (emotionally, behaviorally). Finally, talk about how this class has changed your perspective on failure -- are you more likely to take a risk now than you were just a few months ago?

Failure certainly is difficult, especially if it is in an area where we may not have thought we could fail. I try my best to use every failure opportunity to evaluate my approach and learn how to do it better. I am certainly not perfect at this, but it is a conscious choice to use failure this way. I fee through this class I am somewhat more likely to take a risk. I have a different view on the number of easy opportunities there are to solve, so I may take some more chances for a quick win.