Penguin stories are the tales of how you did something that did or didn't turn out the way you expected and that the lesson - for good or ill - is worth sharing to the broader organization so they might all benefit from the experience.
Google supposedly did this and I have two colleagues (formerly of Mind Gym) who talk of the same practice there;
A stuffed penguin was permanently on hand for use in team meetings
The penguin is solemnly passed around from person to person that they might tell their tale / share their lesson
What a wonderful idea, spotting the lessons that the whole team can learn from
Amid talk of psychological safety and the need to fail forward, how likely is your organization to tell its penguin stories at your next meeting?
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