When the Lesson Didn’t Work, and Why That’s Okay

(Blog #4)

Not every lesson goes to plan. Not every leadership initiative lands perfectly.

Today I watched a lesson where, despite the teacher’s preparation and best intentions, the energy in the room was flat. The students weren’t engaged. The activity that had seemed promising didn’t quite connect.

Afterwards, the teacher looked frustrated: “I thought this would work better,” they said. We talked about it, openly, without judgement. What became clear was this: trying something new always carries risk. And that is exactly what we want in an evolving school culture, not perfection, but courageous experimentation.

If we only celebrate what works, we unintentionally discourage innovation. Leaders must create space where it is safe to say: “That didn’t work, but here’s what I learned.”

Today reminded me, failure is not the opposite of success, it is part of the path to it, and as leaders, we model this when we embrace our own missteps with honesty and reflection.

So here’s today’s question:

When was the last time you openly shared something that didn’t work, and what you learned from it?

Your example may give others permission to keep growing.

Mark Pollitt, Founder of Seeds of Knowledge