The inaugural Interdisciplinary Innovations Speaker Series wrapped up with Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School, who delivered a compelling talk on the value of failure. Titled “The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well,” the talk drew from her award-winning book and examined how mistakes—when understood and addressed properly—can drive learning, growth, and innovation.

Edmondson, an expert on effective leadership and organizational behavior, emphasized that failing well is a skill that can be cultivated. She argued that in transparent, collaborative environments, failure can lead to significant breakthroughs. Organizations that foster a culture of learning from mistakes, she noted, are more likely to innovate and adapt.

The event drew a broad audience of students, faculty, and staff from across the College, including members of Lehman’s new doctoral program in Organizational Leadership. Several students described Edmondson’s insights as transformational, with lasting impact on both their academic and personal development.