Why Government Must Embrace Failure As A Mission Critical Value

Mike Bernard | GovDelivery | September 10, 2012

In the current heated political climate, lots of air time is given to the failures of the opposing party.

“This policy was a total failure.” “That idea cost us a fortune and nothing worked.” “That was a horrible idea, and I will work to reverse it.”

This kind of rhetoric highlights two important issues that need to be addressed:

  1. The right kind of failure can actually be quite helpful.
  2. Negativity about failure obscures true successes.

1) The right kind of failure can actually be quite helpful.