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We often say that the biggest job we have is to teach a…

“We often say that the biggest job we have is to teach a newly hired employee to fail intelligently... to experiment over and over again and to keep on trying and failing until he learns what will work.” quote by Charles Kettering
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“We often say that the biggest job we have is to teach a newly hired employee to fail intelligently... to experiment over and over again and to keep on trying and failing until he learns what will work.”

Charles Kettering

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Teaching employees to fail wisely encourages rapid learning through repeated experimentation.

In simple terms: Fail smart to learn fast.

Key Takeaway

Embrace iterative failure.

Themes

learning experimentation growth leadership

Mood

cautious optimistic

Type

advice motivational

When to use this quote

  • onboarding
  • product development
  • team training

Key Concepts

Systems thinking psychology of failure

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you balance risk and support?
  • When does repeated failure become counterproductive?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on failure can demotivate staff.

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