Blaming and Shaming: A Barrier to Growth We've all been there before - we make a mistake or an error in judgment, and rather than receiving understanding or forgiveness, we're met with blame, shame, and criticism. This reaction, while human, often does more harm than good. As organizational psychologist Adam Grant points out, blaming and shaming people for their mistakes doesn't prevent future errors - it prevents people from owning up to and learning from them. There is a better way forward, one that promotes psychological safety, honest discussion, and collective learning. But enacting this change requires courage and vulnerability from all of us.