Those are not exactly new concepts, are not just hollow words. If it weren't for our failures, none of us would be as good as we are at what we do. I don't mean to be mean-spirited, but my boss loses just about everything. I always make hard copies and document everything. I'm a graduate from the School of Hard Knocks on that issue.
Mistakes are more like opportunities for improvement in disguise.
Those are the words of Graeme Askew, principal at Streeton Primary School in Melbourne Australia. He spoke to the colleague that very same day. The discussion was worsened by a growing suspicion that I had not gathered all the facts and had simply taken on board the first two teachers' observations. In the end, there was no doubt in Askew's mind that he had gotten it wrong and could have avoided all the unpleasantness if he'd simply taken a different tack. These days I like to pause, in any situation, and take time to gather information and to reflect on possible courses of action.