Matthew Syed’s books are illuminating and entertaining, with Bounce being a must-read for any human being. Here he shares his insights into the importance of learning from mistakes.

• Cock-up origin: “Another (origin) claim relates to medieval archery. One of the three feathers on an arrow is a cock’s feather. If the arrow was incorrectly placed on the bow for drawing and release, the arrow would go off course because of the cock’s feather being up and therefore the arrow positioned wrongly on the bow. This was then known as a ‘cock up’.” (Wiktionary)