Right Kind of Wrong: How the Best Teams Use Failure to Succeed Paperback – 30 May 2024

Absolutely fantastic book by a thought provoking author!

Some interesting stories in this book. I have imposter syndrome and it has encouraged me to lean into failure a bit more and learn from it.

given as a present

I’ve read dozens of books on failure, resilience, and psychological safety—but 'The Right Kind of Wrong' stands out. Edmondson, best known for her work on psychological safety, brings clarity to a topic that’s often misunderstood: not all failures are the same.She introduces a powerful distinction between 'basic', 'complex', and 'intelligent' failures—helping us move beyond the binary of success/failure and into a more nuanced understanding of how we can 'fail better'. This reframing is particularly relevant in high-hazard industries like mine, where the stakes are high and the instinct to avoid failure at all costs can stifle learning and innovation.Edmondson’s writing is clear, evidence-based, and human. She doesn’t glorify failure, but she shows how the right kind of failure—those born from thoughtful experimentation or navigating complexity—can be a powerful engine for progress.If you're a safety leader, executive, or coach trying to foster a culture of curiosity, accountability, and learning, this book belongs on your desk—not your bookshelf.One caveat: if you're already deep into human and organisational performance (HOP) or systems thinking, some of the case studies may feel familiar. But Edmondson's framing brings coherence and rigour that make it more than worth your time.Bottom line: One of the most important books I've read this year. It doesn't just change how you think about failure—it changes how you lead.

Enjoyable read with plenty of good case studies. Well-written but feels like an essay which has been strung out to meet publisher's min words criterion.

Promot delivery

The first fifth of the book (describing Prof Edmondson's work in hospitals) is compelling and fascinating. As the book goes on it is clear that it isn't tightly edited. Stories are excessively long and undifferentiated. Good content gets buried in a badly edited book.

Detailed description of valuable concepts.