Episode 21 ofWe are Open Circle’s Beyond Listening Podcast saw our very own co-hosts Adam Rumack and Miriam Jone dive into the nature of mistakes, ‘shoulding’ and making meaning out of shame.
The culture of criticizing earnest mistakes - particularly by those in leadership positions.
The necessity of making and learning from mistakes.
The need for collective work and understanding of mistakes in bringing about transformation.
“Miriam Jones is CXO and Co-Founder of We Are Open Circle. She is an serial entrepreneur who has headed up a range of organizations - from not-for-profits to corporations to co-operatives. Her clients have included PWC, Bank of America and Snapchat.”
”Adam Rumack is CEO and Co-Founder of We Are Open Circle, as well as an educator, facilitator, and organizational consultant. He has led workshops at Esalen and The Ojai Foundation, Land of the Medicine Buddha and Mangalam Center, and other centers of alternative learning and higher education”
Here are some of the key insights from the conversation
Mistakes are part of everyday life. They’re a crucial opportunity to reflect, improve and and implement your new understanding.
“Thinking of a miss-take. When you film a scene its called a take, and if it goes wrong, it is a miss-take and you do it again. And again and get better and again, and again. I have this definition of mistake in my mind a lot.”
Fronting up mistakes, rather than hiding from them can be crucial to building trust in business and relationships. Being open about errors will allow others to trust your motives and commitment to achieving a more positive outcome next time.
“One of the big things as we do work with organisations is building trust. And what kind of mistakes are allowed in that relationship and which aren't? For me, highlighting my mistakes as a leader shows that i’m conscious of them but it also works to build trust.”
There needs to be respect for the position of leadership - but that respect should be earned by a collective approach. The skills and functions required by leaders may change, its about being right for that position at that time.
“Its not about everybody being “the king” or leaders, it's about the right person in that role at the right time. And that allows the system to function in its diversity.”
