Comments on: The Best Way to Get Ahead is to Fail

By: Three Ways to Engage Generation Y Leaders in the Credit Union Movement | Rosetta Thurman

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 13:50:51 +0000

[...] in decisionmaking. Give young people leadership opportunities (not busywork) where they have a very real possibility of failure. Consider allowing junior staff to lead meetings, manage an important project from start to finish, [...]

By: Rosetta Thurman » Does Generation Y Really Want Change?

Rosetta Thurman » Does Generation Y Really Want Change? — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:49:57 +0000

[...] The “next gen” is pretty much still emulating the older generations, afraid to fail, trying not to rock the boat for fear we won’t ever get a chance to sit at the big kids [...]

By: Rosetta Thurman

Rosetta Thurman — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:22:00 +0000

Thanks for your suggestions Bill & vcm24 – having the space to learn, fail and grow is important for folks to try out their ideas.

To the first anon – Of course I’m not saying we should purposely make mistakes that could cost someone’s life…but that we should try new ideas that could be well-received or not. I’m thinking of, in health, when adinistrators think of new ways to do things that would help the patients or ease their experience…people who invent new ways to make their organizations more effective…speaking out with novel ideas that at first may soud crazy to most.

Elisa – you’re right that it’s not all generational. I feel though, that since Gen Y hasn’t had that long work/life experience to draw from, we look at those who have “made it” and we tend to play it safe thinking that will get us the success we want. Not realizing that our older colleagues have often had to take some risk to achieve the social gains they worked so hard for.

To the second anon- thanks so much for this feedback! I’m so used to ‘speaking to the choir’, I tend to forget the different communication styles of others who haven’t drunk the kool-aid yet. And that is where I need to grow. My next stretch assignment…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:32:00 +0000

Do you think the issue of folks "not getting" what you are saying stems from them not being open to change or how you frame the solution or change that needs to happen?

I personally think it is super important to understand the audience you are speaking to, and frame the issue as well as propose solutions in ways the audience will understand and be receptive to. That will make all the difference.

As a gen y, I can say I love ya Rosetta and what you are trying to do, as well as I wish you the best of success, but when I heard you speak, I think in your eagerness to create change you spoke at people in the audience and not to them--in their place--where they were at.

It's not easy what you are doing, but keep on going, you are making great strides for young nonprofit professionals.

By: Elisa

Elisa — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:20:00 +0000

Rosetta,
Great post as usual. I actually think its not just young people who are afraid to fail–I think its most people. It is ALWAYS easier to just stick with what you’ve always done, even if you’re expecting different results each time you do it.
Driving toward the question of young people specifically: it doesn’t help that our educational system and the organizations we work in don’t encourage us to do this kind of try and fail experimentation. I don’t know about anyone else, but where I went to school, towing the line was going to get you farther all the time. Then you transition to a work place that is the same way and it becomes in your best interest (at least in terms of staying ‘comfortable’) to again tow the line.
But, as you noted, I’ve always found greater satisfaction and growth in the times that I did something crazy or unusual, whether I succeeded or failed.