Page 43 - Straight Talk On Project Management IV

Be willing to admit to mistakes. One way I have seen this work well is where the first statement each
attendee was asked to make had to include an admission to something they or their team could
have done better or something they struggled to accomplish. By everyone admitting to
vulnerabilities a level playing field is created: nobody has ever succeeded in life without making any
mistakes.

Learn and move on fearlessly. Acknowledging and learning from mistakes should not stagnate your
teams’ creativity and willingness to try out something new. This fosters a culture that is an engine to
your company rather than a brake.

In summary, when looking at the lessons you learnt, practice a little self-compassion the next time
you feel like a project has failed. Seek an independent view, acknowledge the errors, take the
opportunity to learn from them and wear every bruise or scrape as a badge of honour. Under no
circumstances let it stop you from getting back on that metaphorical skateboard and trying again,
following a new path or being creative in the approach you take. Learn and move on fearlessly. (ps
That twelve-year-old was back out on the ramps the following day)