Experiment as a Liberating Structure

We tend to take what we do seriously. Often, we set extraordinarily high standards for success (read this as ‘perfect’). We put pressure on ourselves far beyond what can usefully motivate us towards learning and success; in fact, the fear of failure becomes an impediment.

With the recognition of volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environments increasingly in play, practices for working effectively in this context differ from those for a known and stable world’s business as usual. As mentioned in David Snowden and Mary Boone’s 2007 HBR article, “A leader’s guide to decision making,” one approach to beginning to know an unknown world is to run “small, safe-to-fail experiments.” The primary purpose is to learn, not to get it right. I consider an experiment to be a liberating structure – “an easy-to-learn microstructure that enhances relational coordination and trust.”

As experienced by almost all of my clients, when I offer an opportunity to try something new as a learning edge move, they feel relieved, even energized. Somehow, the experimental framework seems to offer a more spacious practice field on which to practice.

Across a variety of circumstances with family members, friends, colleagues and myself, ‘running an experiment’ seems to work like an elixir, energizing a willingness to explore new ways of thinking and operating, The concern for making mistakes and acting like a beginner (and being judged, by others or oneself) seems to wane, increasing the willingness to ‘play,’ in the literal sense. I see the virtue of taking that approach more broadly as a way towards better.

Where have you taken an experimental approach to something, especially something meaningful to you? How did that feel? What were you willing to do? What did you learn along the way?

Please run an experiment here and share your comments.

#selfleadership #designyourlife #learningedge