When trying out a new activity, process or behavior, not everyone – in fact few people – will get it right the first time. And that is okay. It must be okay. Better than that, it must be encouraged.
Much of resistance to change comes from:
- Fear of failure
- Feeling incompetent
- Fear of screwing something up
- Not wanting to be judged
- Fear of being wrong
- Fear of looking dumb.
All that anxiety makes some people avoid trying and learning something new. First, equip people appropriately so they feel confident to try. Then let them know it is okay and even expected for them to mess up the first few (or 20) times. Ask them how to best handle it when they do. And, do what you can to ensure people do not encounter ridicule, frustration, impatience or disdain when they do something wrong. Otherwise, they may not try again.
How might you allow – even courage – failure?
Read more of the 99 Ways to Influence Change.