If you’ve ever flown a plane then you may be familiar with the fact that flying is statistically speaking one of the safest modes of transport out there. 

Have you ever wondered why that is?

I recently read Matthew Syed’s book, Black Box Thinking. If you've read Syed's books before they are detailed and based on real life, news worthy examples. He refers to the aviation system frequently and how it's success rate is so high purely because of the way they handle failure. Let me share my interpretations….

An Airbus A380 weighing in fully loaded at 1,265,000 pounds, flying at a takeoff speed of over 200mph is fricking mind-blowing and you’re telling me it’s one of the SAFEST MODES OF TRANSPORT that exist?

How? Well I’ll tell you how. It’s because the Aviation Industry’s approach to leveraging, communicating and detaching from failure is second to none. There are many industries where the stakes are high, but aviation really get it right in this department.

Failure is leveraged

The point where the failure occurred is identified (through the infamous black box that records everything that happens during a flight - the box is now actually red but it’s still known as the ‘black box’) which is then analyzed and leveraged to create new best practices to avoid the same mistake happening again. 

Failure is communicated

in Aviation, updates to best practices are shared industry-wide - meaning everyone benefits when something is identified and changed for the greater good. There is no hiding valuable and critical information that could save lives. 

Failure is detached

Pilots who report a mistake within 2 weeks are given the grace of autonomy. So the focus is on the mistake not the person. This means pilots are encouraged to share their mistakes. 

What does this mean for you? In your life mistakes may not be as fatal but it doesn’t stop it feeling like the world is falling around you sometimes. Whilst this is normal, and your body's incredible way of acknowledging that something is amiss, the power as always, is in what you do with this information. So how can you use these powerful teachings in your life, career and business? 

Let me share how...

Leverage your mistakes

Look at what went wrong and get curious - importantly what is the mistake telling you? Let’s be honest, when have you ever intentionally gone out of your way to make a mistake, or fail? You don’t do you! So when you make a mistake, it’s because you are human. Perhaps there is a gap in your knowledge, experience or you are simply unable to perform at your best in your moment. Mistakes happen, it is normal, and failure is a natural part of life. The difference between making them bigger than they need to be, is how you handle it and how you leverage the information a mistake tells you. Are you tired? Are you under-resourced? Do you need more support? More training? Are you HUMAN? 

Communicate your mistakes

Mistakes happen but then so does the drama. This isn’t a reality tv show, this is every day life and you get to move on quickly. Deal with the matter at hand, and keep a tab on the emotional whirlwind that escalates when mistakes happen. Shame is a powerful emotion which plants a seed and grows like a weed. When we try and hide the mistake or reprimand ourselves more than needed it keeps us small,  in victim-mode and therefore stuck. However, the quicker we communicate our mistakes and seek to solve it, the quicker the problem at hand is resolved, and that often goes hand in hand with the emotional rollercoaster that goes with it. We can be sorry for our actions and still own them. This is called humility. Who needs to be informed? What steps need to be taken? How can you handle this from a place of humility? 

Detach from your mistakes 

Your mistakes are not who you are. They are something that happened that you did. Internalizing mistakes is a learned behaviour that requires deeper healing which I cover within my coaching containers. For the purpose of this, it’s important to detach from the mistake. Prevention is better than cure, so what do you need to prevent this from happening again? This isn’t about blaming or pointing fingers. It’s about learning to be so grounded in yourself that you are able to self-regulate your emotions and move forward. This is a gentle process, one that cannot be forced or pushed. Answer these questions: Who are you without this mistake? What love, reassurance and kindness would you show to your best friend who made a mistake, even when they know better? How can you give this to yourself?

Closing notes

Mistakes are a normal, natural part of life, and progression. The word itself ‘mistake’ is a ‘miss’ ‘take’, so next time you make a mistake, simply take your go again. You always get a second chance because you are the agent of your own life.

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