What Does Failure Mean to You?

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We recently announced some changes to a set of technologies that were linked together via the codename “Oslo”. While some of the technologies originally part of “Oslo” have shipped, some have not, specifically these are: the “Oslo” repository, “Quadrant”, and “M.”  For the long description you can read this blog post by Don Box. The short answer is: the “Oslo” repository and “Quadrant” have been shelved. “M”, a language for defining schema, constraints, queries, and transformations, will continue to be invested in but there is no announcement right now as to what shape “M” will take in the future or when.

When you read the blog post it’s really easy to “browse” away shaking your head mumbling, “just another screw up by Microsoft. What are those guys doing?” Steve Jobs said “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower” and Benjamin Franklin, probably this country’s most famous inventor said “Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.”.

What’s the point in all this? To do great things you have to take risks and you have to expect to be wrong a significant portion of the time. You have to expect criticism and naysayers, just don’t submit to them. @ Microsoft I work with an incredibly talented set of inventors who live this each and every day. While others my read the mentioned blog posting and shake their head and chuckle. I read it and I applaud the dedicated people who poured themselves in to the innovation process. I also applaud them for making the tough decision to refocus their energies on other areas of innovation. I would much rather work with these people than the person who is always right.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    September 25, 2010
    Well said. "If you want to double your success rate, quadruple your failures."

  • Anonymous
    September 27, 2010
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    September 30, 2010
    Thomas Edison tried over 1000 different types of filaments for the electric light before settling on Tungsten. What if he had "failed" at only 100 tries.

  • Anonymous
    November 25, 2010
    Dan, I totaly agree with your point on mistakes. I think you will love this: www.ted.com/.../ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html If you do, drop me an email. :)