Carole Hemmelgarn

Yes, I agree.

Yes, I agree.

Yes, I agree.

Based on what she was learning from medical mistakes, Edmondson wanted to come up with a more general theory of failure, or if not a theory, at least a way to think about it more systematically, to remove some of the blame, to make the responses to failure less uniform. Over time, she produced what she calls, well, here, let's have Edmondson say it.

Based on what she was learning from medical mistakes, Edmondson wanted to come up with a more general theory of failure, or if not a theory, at least a way to think about it more systematically, to remove some of the blame, to make the responses to failure less uniform. Over time, she produced what she calls, well, here, let's have Edmondson say it.

Based on what she was learning from medical mistakes, Edmondson wanted to come up with a more general theory of failure, or if not a theory, at least a way to think about it more systematically, to remove some of the blame, to make the responses to failure less uniform. Over time, she produced what she calls, well, here, let's have Edmondson say it.

After the break, we will hear about that spectrum of causes of failures. It can clarify some things, but not everything. Uncertainty is everywhere. I'm Stephen Dubner, and you are listening to Freakonomics Radio. We will be right back with how to succeed at failing. How did Amy Edmondson become so driven to study failure? Well, here's one path to it.

After the break, we will hear about that spectrum of causes of failures. It can clarify some things, but not everything. Uncertainty is everywhere. I'm Stephen Dubner, and you are listening to Freakonomics Radio. We will be right back with how to succeed at failing. How did Amy Edmondson become so driven to study failure? Well, here's one path to it.

After the break, we will hear about that spectrum of causes of failures. It can clarify some things, but not everything. Uncertainty is everywhere. I'm Stephen Dubner, and you are listening to Freakonomics Radio. We will be right back with how to succeed at failing. How did Amy Edmondson become so driven to study failure? Well, here's one path to it.

Her whole life, she had been a straight-A student.

Her whole life, she had been a straight-A student.

Her whole life, she had been a straight-A student.

In the years since then, Edmondson has been refining what she calls a spectrum of causes of failure. The spectrum ranges from blameworthy to praiseworthy, and it contains six distinct categories of failure.

In the years since then, Edmondson has been refining what she calls a spectrum of causes of failure. The spectrum ranges from blameworthy to praiseworthy, and it contains six distinct categories of failure.

In the years since then, Edmondson has been refining what she calls a spectrum of causes of failure. The spectrum ranges from blameworthy to praiseworthy, and it contains six distinct categories of failure.

Okay. So let's start at the blameworthy end of the spectrum and move our way along. Number one of the six.

Okay. So let's start at the blameworthy end of the spectrum and move our way along. Number one of the six.

Okay. So let's start at the blameworthy end of the spectrum and move our way along. Number one of the six.

You described this as the individual chooses to violate a prescribed process or practice. Now, I could imagine there are some cases where people violate because they think that the process is wrong.

You described this as the individual chooses to violate a prescribed process or practice. Now, I could imagine there are some cases where people violate because they think that the process is wrong.