Book Review - Adapt by Tim Harford

A review of Adapt by Tim Harford and how it can be "adapted" for the world of education. (Inspired to read and reflect about this book after it was recommended by John Tomsett at NTEN ResearchED York).

Tim Harford composes a clear and structured argument on the importance of adapting, not just from an ecological point of view but as individuals, companies and other organisations. Mistakes are commonplace and inevitable. Harford uses a number of case studies from the development of the Spitfire, changing tactics in Iraq, the Credit Crunch to modern companies such as Google to explain and demonstrate the importance of adapting and the problems that emerge when this doesn't take place.

Harford draws deeply on the three Peter Palchinsky Principles:

1. Seek out new ideas and try new things
2. When trying out new things, do it on a scale that is survivable
3. Seek out feedback and learn from your mistakes

What is intriguing about this book is how Harford unravels the mystery of adaption by highlighting the traps and promoting the benefits of adapting.

Barriers to learning from mistakes include: bundling losses up with gains, reinterpreting failures as successes, denial and loss chasing. To counteract this, Harford perscribes working by the Palchinsky Principles. We need to listen, whether this is as a company to whistleblowers or as individuals to what is described as the "validation squad" of trusted individuals who will give us their honest opinions. Change needs to be completed on a scale that promotes reflection and honesty.

Why adapt? 

"The process of correcting the mistakes can be more liberating than the mistakes themselves are crushing, even though at the time we so often feel the reverse is true". Mistakes in life are inevitable. However, "a single experiment that succeeds can transform our lives for the better in a way that a failed experiment will not transform them for the worse - as long as we don't engage in denial or chase our losses".

What are the implications for teaching?

In teaching, there is a constant need to adapt and change. In the classroom, what works one moment can fail disastrously the next. Teenagers can sometimes be a little volatile. However, how do we know we are doing the right thing and not just bumbling along? One of the most important principles mentioned is listening - whether this is to a trusted colleague or a sensible student. 

Education is bombarded with new ideas and the hunt for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The difficulty is sifting and finding the sensible ideas - the ones which benefit students and make the lives of teachers easier. Harford promotes the importance of trying out new ideas. However, this needs to be done in a controlled way and not gun-ho, devil-may-care and by the seat of the pants. Adaption needs to be on a scale where success can be measured. Allowing ourselves times to reflect and most importantly, to listen to the opinions of those we trust. By investing on a modest scale, the traps of chasing losses and denial are more likely to be avoided. 

The Palchinsky Principles should be above the door of every staffroom.

For Students:

Students need to be encouraged to try new things and to accept mistakes as a part of life. This links to a previous blog by me, Developing Grit and a Growth Mindset.

I really enjoyed this book. It has made me reflect on the implications adaption has on my life and the wider world around me.