Embracing Failure as the Path to Learning and Growth with Adrian Williams

Like a baby learning to walk, failure is a crucial part of learning.Many companies have a culture deeply rooted in a fear of failure. That fear leads to risk aversion that can often result in companies staying stagnant and rejecting growth opportunities simply to avoid the difficulties of pushing the needle. Calculated risk is vital in business and with teams, especially when developing software that can make or break a company's bottom line.Today, I'm exceptionally pleased to be joined by Adrian Williams, a highly experienced senior technology leader and Vice President of Engineering at aboutGOLF. I've had the opportunity to know Adrian for the last five or six years, not only as an individual and colleague but also as a very good friend. With over 30 years of experience in the software development space, Adrian has spent a lifetime as both an engineer and a leader, failing and succeeding, learning and teaching people, teams, and companies how to be wildly successful.In this conversation, Adrian and I discuss how he naturally developed a high risk profile, how it shapes his approach as a leader, the concept of "failing fast," the impact of work environments on success, the challenges of remote communication, the limitations of technology, and more.
 
HighlightsAdrian’s diverse background, interests, and experiences and how they have shaped his risk profileFear of failure and embracing the “fail fast” mentalityChallenges of failing fast and the need for a supportive environment that allows for quick iterations and correctionsSuccess story - how failing fast and being agile led to a successful solution during the COVID-19 pandemicWhy trust and transparency in leadership is essential in creating a culture of fearlessness and innovationThe art of listening and effective leadershipThe role of software in improving efficiency and reducing wasteChallenges of remote work and the need for tools that facilitate human connection and communicationThe excessive use of tools in education and the negative impact on kinesthetic learnersThe limitations of technology in replicating rich human interactionsWhy visual cues are crucial in communicationWhat people-driven tech means to AdrianConnect with Adrian WilliamsaboutGolf Website https://www.aboutgolf.com/Adrian Williams on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ad....rian-williams-austin for Listening!Make sure to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Engage with us digitally on:Website | TailwindSW.com https://tailwindsw.com/YouTube | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.youtube.com/watch?....v=NFsK82VPSZALinkedI | Tailwind Business Ventures https://www.linkedin.com/compa....ny/tailwind-business @TailwindSW https://www.facebook.com/tailwindswTwitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_swTwitter @Tailwind_sw https://twitter.com/tailwind_sw