What’s it about
This short talk makes a simple but powerful case: governments don’t need to be perfect to succeed — they need to learn. Justin Entzminger draws on his experience in local government to show how embracing small, safe failures can actually build stronger institutions and greater public trust. Instead of hiding mistakes, he encourages public servants to treat them as essential learning moments, especially when tackling complex or uncertain problems.
For reformers, this is a reminder that real change doesn’t happen all at once — it happens through testing, listening, adjusting, and trying again. The talk offers a mindset shift that can help teams stay adaptive, accountable, and focused on what works.
When to use it
- Early in the reform process, when diagnosing problems or exploring new approaches
- When building teams or designing pilots
- During implementation, to encourage learning and mid-course corrections