InnovatingSMART

The Opposite of SMART -- not simply "Stupid"

Over the weekend, while cleaning through some old files, I came across a 2005 essay by best-selling author Scott Berkun entitled "How to learn from your mistakes".   Therein, Scott outlined four categories of mistakes -- ranging from "stupid" to "complex". 

 

In reflecting on the mistakes that have led us down an unsustainable path, I find that they are actually not stupid.  At least, they are not the "stupid" variety of mistake as outlined by Scott's definition. Stupid mistakes, according to Scott, are absurdly dumb things that just happen.  Our mistakes are also not "simple".  According to Scott, merely re-ordering our actions would fix a simple mistake. No, our mistakes are definitely of the more interesting sorts - the sorts Scott calls "involved" and "complex".

 

According to the WBCSD, a voice for the CEOs of the world's largest businesses, our fundamental mistake has been this: 

           "making decisions in isolation that result in unintended consequences,
            for people, the environment and planet Earth" [1]

 

By Scott's definition, this mistake is indeed "involved".   It is understood but requires effort to prevent.   We have been systematically deciding in isolation about actions which effect many players beyond ourselves.   This is a mistake that can be corrected, but it requires structural and behavioral change.  Arguably, this mistake is also, by Scott's definition, "complex".  It has complicated causes and no obvious way to avoid them next time. That is, until we create new structures and behaviors.

 

Happily, Scott offered sound advice for learning from involved and complex mistakes.   His "learning from mistakes checklist" includes:

 

                - Accepting responsibility makes learning possible

                - Work to understand why it happened and what the factors were

                - What small mistakes, in sequence, contributed to the bigger mistake?

                - What kinds of changes are required to avoid making this mistake again?

                - Don't over-compensate: the next situation won't be the same as the last

 

As we learn, and as we answer the significant questions about governance, global frameworks for commerce, roles and responsibilities, and risks" [1], the WBCSD vision for the future asserts:  

                "Smarter systems, smarter people, smarter designs and smarter businesses
                 will prevail".

 

 

 

 

[1] Executive Summary, Vision 2050: The new agenda for business, by the WBCSD

 

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Sue Lebeck 

  Cool Block Platform Director

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