Pay the school fee

4/12/2024

‘We are in a jungle and find our way by trial and error, building our road behind us as we proceed.’ (Max Born)

I worked with a charitable organisation that aspired honestly to be more innovative yet couldn’t tolerate failure. It felt responsible to supporters and beneficiaries for every penny spent and the thought of wasting money felt unethical and irresponsible. It was fundamentally constrained by the power of its own definition: it needed to learn that ‘waste’ was just one way of construing the cost of necessary and positive risk associated with innovation. Another would be to consider it as an experimental investment with the potential to yield a far better outcome. Test and learn.

This principle came to mind yesterday while co-facilitating a coaching training workshop for managers. In conversation, we looked at different intervention modes a manager can use when working with less-experienced staff: ranging from directive (telling or showing the person what to do) to non-directive (asking questions to help the person think it through for themselves) to positive withdrawal (stepping back to allow the person to work it out and do it for themselves). The latter can feel most risky yet often result in valuable discoveries and learning that sticks.

One manager commented that, when using the let-go approach, the person may well make mistakes. It could seem that it would have been faster or easier simply to have directed them. Yet, on the flip side, that could undermine the person’s ability to grow in confidence and competence for themselves. He reflected, ‘Bottom line – pay the school fee’: meaning, accept that time or resources could appear wasted in the immediate-term, and get over it. Like innovation, unless there are critical risks or issues at stake, it’s about enduring short-term pain for longer-term gain.

6 Comments

William Dooner

4/12/2024 05:20:38 pm

Hi Nick. Thanks for sharing this. Max Born’s metaphor beautifully captures life’s journey: trial, error, and the constant act of creating meaning as we go. It reflects a deeper existential truth: to grow is to risk, to risk is to live.
The fear of failure often confines us to safety yet stagnation is the antithesis of progress. In a broader sense, this principle isn’t limited to management or innovation; it applies to personal growth, relationships and even societal change. "Paying the school fee" is a small price for the richness of discovery and transformation. The jungle isn’t a threat. It’s an opportunity.

Nick Wright

9/12/2024 02:28:18 pm

Thank you, William. I really like your reflection: 'a deeper existential truth: to grow is to risk, to risk is to live.' So true. It reminded me of Jürgen Moltmann's comment: 'Human life must be risked if it is to be won.' On that theme, this short related piece may be of interest? https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/safe

Ana Louise Ramirez

4/12/2024 05:26:22 pm

Hi Nick. As a nurse, I feel this story in my heart. In my hospital, I train new nurses. Sometimes they are scared make mistakes. I tell them, "You will not be perfect at first, it’s okay." Once, a trainee forgot take the patient’s temperature. I corrected her, but she learned and did not forget again. The blog reminds me, mistakes are like practice fees. If we want to become good nurses, we must allow learning even if takes time. “Pay the school fee” is a good way to say it. Helping people means learning every day.

9/12/2024 02:38:08 pm

Hi Ana and thank you for sharing from experience with new nurses. I guess it's a judgement call in terms of which risks are acceptable and which aren't in a learning environment - especially where patient welfare is paramount. I like your gentle, reassuring approach. If people are anxious or stressed, they are more likely to think less-clearly and to make mistakes. On that theme, this short piece may be of interest? https://www.nick-wright.com/blog/catharsis

Gavin Frost

4/12/2024 05:29:30 pm

Hi Nick. The analogy of "paying the school fee" is a powerful reframing of the cost of growth and innovation. It challenges traditional cost-benefit thinking, especially in sectors like charitable organizations where efficiency and accountability are paramount. However, this mindset shift is not easy. The tension between financial prudence and experimental risk can paralyze decision-making.

For instance, in the tech world, companies like Google adopt a "fail fast" philosophy, encouraging experimentation despite inevitable failures. Nonprofits could adopt a modified approach, perhaps through pilot programs with controlled budgets to mitigate perceived "waste." This balance could bridge the gap between innovation and responsibility, enabling organizations to grow without betraying their core values. What do you think? Would that work?

9/12/2024 02:47:02 pm

Thanks Gavin. Yes, it isn't easy. I found this comment by AwesomeDialto11 online on 'fail fast' helpful: 'The entire intent is to find “unknown unknowns” as quickly as possible, since those could sink projects. It’s literally impossible to create a list of things you did not think of, so sometimes there are weird characteristics that don’t become apparent until you’ve made a prototype. Take your best first pass guess, design and build it, load it up with sensors or data logging, test it, then iterate on weak points or unexpected failures.'

Yes, I've seen charities adopt a Test and Learn approach that involves piloting new ideas within controlled parameters (including budget parameters) to see what happens and to learn from the experience. I've also seen one international non-governmental organisation (INGO) create a panel of diverse stakeholders to view, evaluate and approve (or not) potential innovation initiatives (e.g. their potential benefits and risks) before deciding which experimental ventures to invest in.