Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well

Mastering Failure: The Right Way to Fail for Growth & Success

For years, failure was seen as the opposite of success. Today, we’re caught between two extremes: one that fears failure and another that encourages failing fast and often. But neither approach helps us distinguish between productive and destructive failure—causing missed opportunities for real learning and growth.

In Right Kind of Wrong, award-winning researcher Amy Edmondson redefines failure, offering a powerful framework to fail wisely. She introduces three types of failure—basic, complex, and intelligent—showing how to minimize unproductive mistakes while maximizing the lessons from inevitable setbacks. By embracing human fallibility, individuals and organizations can take smarter risks, innovate effectively, and avoid preventable failures.

Packed with real-world examples from business, pop culture, and history, this groundbreaking book provides actionable strategies to shift from shame and blame to curiosity, resilience, and success. Right Kind of Wrong is your guide to transforming failure into a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.