Unit 5.
Purpose: Risk-Taking and Failure We will begin to examine the role that mind-sets play in innovating by looking at the role of risk- taking and how we interpret failure. We think about how to leverage our failures and look at the importance of “grit” and resilience and how these characteristics can help us push through difficulties toward greater inspiration and accomplishments. This unit is also connected to the previous one in that we draw on the use of questioning—the 5 Whys root cause analysis process— in our Failure Résumés.

Objectives: After completing this unit, students will be able to: ● Identify and understand the role of failure in the work of innovators and in our own experience. ● Use questioning and a “growth mind-set” to reframe our own failures and see them as learning experiences.

Required Readings and Viewings: Catmull, E., with Wallace, A. (2014) Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the unseen forces that stand in the way of true inspiration. New York: Random House. Part II: Protecting the New (Chapters 5-9) Fink, J. L. W. (2013). True grit. Instructor, 122(4), 26–30. Holmes, N. (n.d.). Graphic contrasting “fixed” vs. “growth” mind-sets, based on the work of Carol Dweck. Available in ARES.

Videos: “Guest Innovators on Failure”
Anthony, S. (2014, June 24). Navigating Innovation’s First Mile [Innosight webinar 1:01:53, but watch at least the first 40 minutes]. Available at https://vimeo.com/205403609

Tasks: Watch the video “Guest Innovators on Failure.” Complete Required Readings and Viewings prior to class. Bring a draft of your Failure Résumé to discuss, review, and edit in class. Revise and upload your Failure Résumé within 4 days after class. Attend your live class session at the scheduled time.