My Favorite Mistake: Business Lessons from Failures and Success (Mark Graban)

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

My guest for Episode #216 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Cathy Fyock, The Biz Book Strategist. 

She leads her own consulting/coaching/speaking practice and has been a member of the National Speakers Association for more than 20 years.  Cathy has been a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) since 1993. Since starting her coaching business in 2014, she’s helped more nearly 200 professionals become published authors — including me!

She coached me through the writing and publication of my 2018 book, Measures of Success, and she has been coaching me on the book I’m currently finishing up, The Mistakes That Make Us. The Kindle version is available tomorrow!

Cathy has written books including On Your Mark: From First Word to First Draft in Six Weeks, Blog2Book: Repurposing Content to Discover the Book You’ve Already Written, The Speaker Author: Sell More Books and Book More Speeches, and the WSJ, USA Today, and Amazon best-seller, Authority. Her upcoming book, which I've endorsed, is Writer Crisis Hotline.

In this episode, Cathy shares her favorite mistake story about leaving a business she had started to take a job where she could be “part of a team.” Was it a mistake to take a job with that particular team or to take a regular job anywhere? Did it become easier to move on from jobs over time? What led Cathy to start her latest business based on what she had learned, including what she learned about herself?

We discuss that, along with common mistakes that book authors make when writing and/or publishing their books. We also discuss the choice between traditional publishers, “self” publishing, and “hybrid publishers.”

Questions and Topics:

• Tell us about starting your current business…
• Writing – following a passion?
• Understanding the business model around your book?
• A book is like a startup?
• The learning that happens while writing a book
• Ethical situation when it comes to ghostwriting (by a human) or new AI tools?
• Common book writing mistakes?
• Mistakes related to the publishing phase?
• Mistake titles? Mistake covers?
• The connection between writing and speaking
• Book pricing – finding the sweet spot?“Self publishing” vs. traditional publishing? How to choose?
• Hybrid publishing? – hire a general contractor

Please follow, rate, and review via Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, or your favorite app — that helps others find this content, and you'll be sure to get future episodes as they are released weekly. You can also financially support the show through Spotify.

You can now sign up to get new episodes via email, to make sure you don't miss an episode.

This podcast is part of the Lean Communicators network.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page with transcript, video, and more My guest for Episode #229 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Laura Terrell, an executive coach with over 25 years of professional experience as a legal and business leader. In coaching, she focuses on the issues that are most important to professionals working to address issues in their careers and work lives. Prior to launching her coaching practice, Laura was a Special Assistant to the President at the White House (George W. Bush admin), a senior level appointee at the US Department of Justice, an equity partner in two large global law firms, and in-house counsel at a major global consulting and business advisory firm. Laura has led and managed teams of hundreds of people across multiple countries, and has been a top advisor for many Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies. Her clients come from a wide variety of industries, including law, education, financial services, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, non-profit, health care, and technology. Some of them are senior corporate executives like CEOs and general counsels; others are lawyers and consultants, entrepreneurs and small business owners, as well as professionals who may be returning to the workforce, making a pivot to a new career, or switching roles mid-career. In this episode, Laura shares her favorite mistake story about not questioning the compensation that was offered to her when she was excited to take a White House role. How did she learn about the gap between her pay and the salaries received by others? How did Laura almost make, but manage to avoid repeating, the same mistake in her second government job? What can we learn from her about the importance of asking questions and advocating for ourselves? Questions and Topics: How did you learn about that pay gap? People are generally afraid to ask questions (which can lead to mistakes)   Afraid of being pushy, afraid of a bad answer? How to get better at delivering bad information? Making assumptions about how bad things would be? Having to give bad news to a legal client? Key still for an attorney? How and why do very successful executives still need coaching? How would you describe ideal client? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Author of the book YOU’RE THE LEADER. NOW WHAT? Leadership Lessons from Mayo Clinic.

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

My guest for Episode #194 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Richard Winters, M.D., an emergency physician at the Mayo Clinic. And he’s the author of YOU’RE THE LEADER. NOW WHAT? Leadership Lessons from Mayo Clinic.

As director of Leadership Development for the Mayo Clinic Care Network and as an executive coach, Dr. Winters provides coaching for Mayo Clinic leaders.

Dr. Winters graduated from the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in 1994 and returned to Mayo Clinic in 2015.

Previously, Winters served as managing partner of a democratic physician group, department chair of an emergency department, and president of an 800-physician medical staff.

In this episode, Dr. Winters tells his favorite mistake story about being a little too transparent with physicians in a meeting at Mayo Clinic. Why did so many physicians get upset about this discussion about data around billing practices? Why did it help for him to admit the mistake? How did he adjust and what did he learn from this mistake?

We also talk about questions and topics, including:

• Was it a mistake to be so transparent?
• Breaking down hierarchy and hearing the perspectives of others
• Burnout in healthcare, not just doctors but nurses and others… bad before COVID, worse now?
• Psychological well-being — 6 dimensions
• What are key signs of burnout? How to recognize it and how to bring it up??
• Is burnout different than depression?
• A mistake to blame the person who is burned out? Resiliency training?
• Fix the person or fix the environment?
• Your book — the “now what?” Implies being thrown into a leadership role… is there enough formal leadership education, development, and mentoring in healthcare?
• How are physicians taught about leading — and being parts of care teams — during medical school and residency? Formal education or seeing the behavior modeled by others?
• Ronald Heifitz – technical vs adaptive challenges
• Key differences in the leadership style at Mayo Clinic?
• Responding to clinical mistakes… medical error, patient harm?
• To you, what are the ideal leader behaviors?
• There’s normally so much hierarchy in HC… what was the “democratic physician group” that you were a part of, what does that mean?

You can now sign up to get new episodes via email, to make sure you don't miss an episode.

This podcast is part of the Lean Communicators network.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Emergency physician and CEO of KaiNexus, a technology company in Austin, TX

Show notes https://www.markgraban.com/mistake31

Click here to enter to win a free "My Favorite Mistake" coffee mug!

Joining me for Episode #31 is Dr. Greg Jacobson, an emergency medicine physician and the CEO/co-founder of KaiNexus, a technology and software company. In the interest of full disclosure, I will mention that I have worked with KaiNexus, in various capacities, since 2011 and I have an ownership stake in the company.

That said, Greg is one of the most interesting people you'll ever meet. Many startup CEOs launch their company at night while working their day job. Greg started KaiNexus during the days while working some nights as an E.R. doc.

In today's episode, Greg (always the overachiever) shares FIVE favorite mistakes from his career:

1. Not reading more
2. Not figuring out work/life balance
3. Struggling with the diffusion of CEO attention as the company grows
4. Not being appreciative enough
5. Not doing his own due diligence

We'll talk about all of that, the importance of creating a culture of continuous improvement in a company, and much more. I think you'll enjoy the conversation, as I did.

Please subscribe, rate, and review via Apple Podcasts or Podchaser!

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Former pro football player, Certified Personal Trainer, and more...

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake51

My guest for Episode #51 is Lenny Walls, a retired professional football player who played for four NFL teams and three teams in the Canadian Football League. He is now a San Antonio-based Certified Personal Trainer, entrepreneur, coach, mentor, and community leader.

I had the opportunity to meet Lenny when I was living in San Antonio and I did a number of personal training sessions with him, as I wrote about here. His businesses and community ventures include Walls Next Level Fitness, the Breaking Down Walls Foundation, Walls2Walls Coaching, and Walls2Walls Capital.

In today's episode, Lenny shares some reflections about his "favorite mistake" -- not the money-losing investments, but his self assessment that he lacked humility "during his most successful time in life." We talk about what Lenny learned from his NFL experience and that time and how he's applied it to his second career.

I had the chance to ask Lenny about his mindset on making very public mistakes on the field -- when do you take the time to learn and correct? We talk about his phrase "the hustle is entertainment" and we also chat about workout mistakes that many people (including myself) have made. All that and more...

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page with transcript and more

My guest for Episode #221 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Beate Chelette. Beate is the Growth Architect and Founder of “The Women’s Code” – she provides visionaries and leaders with proven strategies, blueprints and growth maps that provide clear steps to improve business systems,  strengthen leadership skills and teams so that their clients and audiences can maximize profits and scale their impact. 

A first-generation immigrant who found herself $135,000 in debt as a single parent, Beate bootstrapped her passion for photography into a global business that licensed content into 79 countries. She exited in a multimillion-dollar deal when she sold the company to Bill Gates. 

She is the host of a podcast, the Business Growth Architect Show. Her book is Happy Woman Happy World: The Foolproof Fix That Takes You From Overwhelmed To Awesome.

In this episode, Beate shares her favorite mistake story about losing a year of her life by engaging in a lawsuit where she was “right” but it “wasn't worth the time.” Why did it just lead to mental anguish? What did Beate learn from this and what can we learn from her? We discuss that and more.

Questions and Topics:

• You sold your business to Bill Gates, what was it that you sold?
• “If you think something’s off… you’re right”
• Did you consider dropping the case at different points?
• How did you get everything back on track with your career and businesses?
• How often are you helping business owners who are in a similar rock bottom situation?
• What are the most common blockers to business growth?
• Find out what your #1 Business Growth Blocker is
• How to clarify strategy and “what do you do?”
• Doing a bunch of random things vs. having a strategy?

Please follow, rate, and review via Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, or your favorite app — that helps others find this content, and you'll be sure to get future episodes as they are released weekly. You can also financially support the show through Spotify.

You can now sign up to get new episodes via email, to make sure you don't miss an episode.

This podcast is part of the Lean Communicators network.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake123

My guest for Episode #123 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Super Julie Braun, founder and CEO of “Super Purposes” — a career coaching and advisement program built for the 21st century and today's job market. Her company helps people (more than 16,000 people!) get the career and salary they deserve regardless of their challenges. They work with Veterans, stay-at-home parents, immigrants, folks from the LGBTQIA community, and people with addictions or alcoholism, formerly incarcerated, people with disabilities and more.

Earlier in her career, SJ quickly rose in corporate jobs leading creative teams for Victoria’s Secret, MTV, Nike, Estee Lauder, and Carters Childrenswear. She lists her passions as Animals, the environment, living the digital nomad lifestyle, minimalism, Sudoku, sobriety, and cupcakes — in no particular order?

In today's episode, SJ shares his “favorite mistake” story about quitting a job “in a huff' and not having a plan. Why was she burned out? Why did she think she would fail as a marketing consultant?

We talk about that story and other topics including:

• Easier to find a job these days? Finding the right job?
• In an era of employee shortages, why do companies need to expand the pool from which they recruit and hire? Incarcerated people…
• Human Resources or Humane Resources?
• People who are formerly incarcerated… my next two guests both served prison time for fraud and white collar crimes, so there’s a bit of a theme this month…
• Tell us about particular challenges for Trans and Non Gender Conforming applicants and programs you have for them?
• Programs for military spouses who are moving a lot?
• In your coaching, what do you say to people about mistakes in their job search… in interviewing?
• The stages of mistake grief??

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page with transcript, video, links, and more

My guest for Episode #209 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Shirley Novack, Owner and Interior Designer at her firm, S. Novack and Assoc.

She originally graduated with a degree in Laboratory Science.  After marrying and having three children, she went back to school and has run her successful interior design business for almost 40 years. 

As a first generation daughter of Polish/Russian parents, she has recently published her first book, a Historical Fiction novel called The Story Of… — This book is loosely based on the life of her father, a Russian immigrant…

In this episode, Shirley shares her favorite mistake story about being in the wrong place at the wrong time — taking a wrong turn in a van at Boston's Logan Airport and getting surrounded by Secret Service. We also discuss her novel and mistakes made running her interior design company, and more.

Questions and Topics:

• Not the only time she was suspected of being a terrorist? 
• Was getting that degree as a medical technologist a mistake?
• Your initial message to me said, “still running my design practice trying to keep from making any more mistakes.”
• Do you have methods for trying to prevent mistakes? Or prevent repeats?
• Also said, “making mistakes is human, as long as I'm not the surgeon operating on the wrong appendage.” It’s good to remember that right?
• David Mayer, MD — Episode 70
• Dealing with mistakes that employees might make?
• Her “most expensive mistake…” in the interior design business
• Firing her officer manager of 20 years — why?
• Interior design mistakes that clients are driving??
• Is the customer always right?
• Tell us about the book… what inspired you?
• What’s a “Hybrid publisher”?
• Next book? – working on the next one…

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

FranklinCovey executive, author of books including Marketing Mess to Brand Success

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake100

My guest for Episode #100 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Scott J. Miller, a long-time executive with FranklinCovey.

Scott is the author of books including Everyone Deserves a Great Manager, Management Mess To Leadership Success: 30 Challenges to Become the Leader You Would Follow, and his latest book, Marketing Mess to Brand Success: 30 Challenges to Transform Your Organization's Brand (and Your Own).

He's also the host of the podcast, "On Leadership with Scott Miller," where he has interviewed people including Adam Grant, Elizabeth Smart, John Maxwell, Matthew McConaughey, and Stephen M.R. Covey.

In today's episode, Scott shares his favorite mistake, from his time as a Chief Marketing Officer and how being an "idea fountain" was a mistake, as he learned. We also get a bonus "favorite mistake" story about a marketing promotion gone wrong.

Other topics and questions:

• Multipliers - his favorite leadership book either written - Liz Wiseman (or are we “diminishers”?)
• How did you bring this up and resolve this with your team?
• Questions that aren’t really questions?
• Can you be an expert in everything? Safe to say, “I don’t know”??
• The Speed of Trust - Stephen M.R. Covey
• How important to you is “manager” vs. “leader”??
• How do you define a “great” mangager in a nutshell?
• On Leadership - guest messes?
• McConaughey Greenlights book
• The E.F. Hutton reference - example commercial
• Find Scott on:
• LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Kevin Harrington from "Shark Tank," Mark Timm from many entrepreneurial ventures, co-authors

Episode web page: http://www.markgraban.com/mistake1

I'm really excited that my guests for the inaugural episode of the “My Favorite Mistake” podcast are Kevin Harrington and Mark Timm, co-authors of the new book Mentor to Millions: Secrets of Success in Business, Relationships, and Beyond.

You probably know Kevin as one of the original “sharks” on the hit TV program “Shark Tank.” He's the creator of the infomercial, pioneer of the “As Seen on TV industry,” and co-founding board member of the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO), founded in 1987.

Mark Timm has been a serial entrepreneur and exponential-thinking practitioner for almost three decades. He has started more than a dozen companies, several of which have multiplied and been sold. He has spoken professionally for more than 25 years, giving thousands of speeches to over a million people around the globe.

In today's episode, they both open up about their “favorite mistake” and what they learned from that. They'll also share stories about Kevin mentoring Mark and others and some common mistakes that can be made in a mentoring relationship.

If you're interested in the book, be sure to check out their website. I am also running a giveaway contest, via my blog, where you can enter to win one of two copies of the book.

At the end of the episode, Mark and Kevin share a special offer related to some extra materials that you can get, for free, when you buy the book.

Please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast -- that helps others find this content and you'll be sure to get future episodes as they are released weekly. Support the podcast: https://anchor.fm/favorite-mistake/support.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Founder and master distiller, Glenn's Creek Distilling

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake94

My guest for Episode #94 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is an old friend of mine from professional circles, David Meier. When I first met him, he had left his career at Toyota, and became a consultant in the Lean methodology around the world. He is co-Author of the books The Toyota Way Fieldbook and Toyota Talent.

In recent years, he founded Glenn's Creek Distillery in Kentucky, which I've been able to visit twice. I've interviewed David previously a few times on my Lean podcast -- about Toyota/Lean and about the distillery.

In today's episode, David shares his "favorite mistake" story from his Toyota days and how they created a "no-fault, no-blame culture."

Other topics and questions:

• More background about what you learned at Toyota
• Hard for people to talk about mistakes, admitting they’re human
• Blame vs. responsibility?
• Toyota teaches that leaders have responsibility
• Blame with punishment = “accountability”?
• Punishment replaced with learning and improvement?
• Hard on the process, not on the people
• Mr. Yoshino’s mix up with the paint area (Episode #30)
• My episode about the nearly lost episodes (Episode #16)
• Mistakes about mistakes?
• Mistakes at the distillery
• Mistakes vs. discoveries?
• Whiskey transported in barrels - mistake or learning??

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Retired NHL player Dave Scatchard

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake59

My guest for Episode #59 is Dave Scatchard, a retired National Hockey League player who now serves others as a coach through his practice, All Star Coaching.

Dave played for 6 different NHL teams, from 1997 to 2011, scoring 128 goals in 659 games. Before making the NHL, the team that drafted him, the Vancouver Canucks, wanted him to shift his playing style from “goal scorer” to “tough guy.” This led to many fights, at least five concussions, and post-retirement injuries had led to a three-year period full of pain, memory loss, and struggle.

Having recovered, Dave now shares a systematic approach for both businesses and individuals to redesign their lives and operating systems and live a healthier, brighter future with all of the abundance that goes along with living what he calls “The Big Life.”

In today's episode, Dave shares his compelling and dramatic story. Beyond his medical recovery, why was it helpful for Tony Robbins to curse at him on stage, demanding to know, “Why are you hurting those people?” by not stepping up to help others. How did helping others accelerate his own personal progress?

Dave talks about his “favorite mistake” of spending three years cursing his former career, asking God why he was punishing him, and looking at himself as a victim. He talks about the importance of his faith, his amazing recovery, and the power of positivity in this special episode.

FOR A FEW MORE DAYS, you can join his free “Reawaken the Champion Within” Challenge.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

From Dallas, high-performance business coach, actor, and storyteller

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake23

My guest for Episode #23 is Coach Jimmy Nelson, who has been a high-performance business coach for over a decade. Using his 20+ years of experience as a stage and film performer, Coach Jimmy crafted his own personal story to create a 7-figure business and now dedicates his life to helping professionals craft their own stories to attract and impact the lives of their ideal audiences. As he says, "Tell a story, change the world." You can learn more about his work via his website.

He also has a free eBook available now about his morning routine and what you can learn from that. You can also get free story-telling sources via www.storywellcrafted.com.

Today, we talk about Coach Jimmy's "favorite mistake" of letting external reasons become excuses. He says we need to "make stages" instead of waiting to be invited onto someone else's stage. We talk about mistakes that people make in story telling. And we discuss this blog post, "Stop blaming others and start taking action." He says you need to "first let it hurt, then take action." He adds, "Failure will always be part of our life, but that’s where we get our lessons from" and that's basically the theme of this entire podcast series.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

I'm joined again by Lori Baker-Schena for a follow-up question related to her appearance in Episode 48:

Two Bosses Who Didn’t Like Each Other: Lori Baker-Schena

Since Lori has a PhD in organizational leadership, I get to ask a question that was suggested by my wife after she listened to the episode. It was a mistake to have not asked that follow up question :-)

So, I ask Lori if organizations should avoid a situation where somebody has two bosses or if it just needs to be managed better.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

My guest for Episode #156 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Rachell Kitchen. She is an Author, Certified Professional Life & Transition Coach; ICF Associate Certified Coach, and Professional Speaker.

Episode page and links (with video and transcript): https://markgraban.com/mistake156

She graduated college with a B.S. degree in Industry & Technology and enjoyed a career as an Industrial Engineer.

Rachell is the author of a Book: Doubt Your Doubts: How to Transform Negative Self-Talk, Take Action and Confidently Create Your Dream Life.

And she has a FREE eCourse called Grow, Expand, Thrive (GET),

In today's episode, Rachell shares her “favorite mistake” story about being a young engineer (the only minority woman in the group) and how she “ended up on the bathroom floor at work” crying as the result of the stress of trying to have a daughter and a career. How did getting a coach help her? Why is it a mistake to not ask for help? We talk about what she's learned along the way and more.

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• What were your adjustments career wise?
• Letting life create her instead of creating her life?
• Tell us about the book — why did you write it?
• What is “negative self talk” and why is it so common in our heads?
• What’s your “gremlin”? Do we all have one?
• How can we recognize doubts and negative self talk?
• At what point are doubts helpful (in terms of being cautious about something – maybe avoiding mistakes) and when do doubts get in the way?
• What is your “dream life” and are you making progress on that, Rachell?

Find Rachell on social media:

• Facebook
• Linkedin
• Twitter
• Instagram

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Business coach from the UK

Show notes and links: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake84

My guest for Episode #84 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is John Paragon, a business coach based in the UK — John is focused on coaching struggling fathers on discovering and launching their ideal business in 30 days. His website is www.paragonhustle.com.

Warning and disclaimer: There is a brief mention of the sensitive subject of suicide. If you are struggling, help is available Speak with someone today by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Why did he leave a 9-to-5 job to end up in a “pit of despair” before finding more success and fulfillment? Why was he nicknamed “Honest John” when selling cars at a dealer and why was he a bad fit for having that trait of honesty? How has he succeeded in spite of dropping out of school at age 14? Why does he think every person should develop some sort of “side hustle”? Why does he focus specifically on coaching young fathers with starting businesses?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Professor, former business school dean, expert on mistake proofing

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

My guest for Episode #186 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is John Grout. He is the former dean of the Campbell School of Business at Berry College in Rome, Georgia.

He’s the current Chair of the Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Data Analytics Department and the David C. Garrett Jr. Professor of Business Administration. John has overseen the development, approval and implementation of Berry College’s Creative Technologies program and Berry’s makerspace, HackBerry Lab.

Dr. Grout has researched mistake-proofing extensively and published numerous articles on mistake-proofing. In 2004, John received the Shingo Prize for his paper, “The Human Side of Mistake-Proofing” with Douglas Stewart. John has also consulted with a large variety of firms to mistake-proof their processes. Check out his website, www.MistakeProofing.com.

He’s also published “Mistake-Proofing the Design of Health Care Processes” a book that’s freely available online.

In this episode, John tells his favorite mistake story about using early mistakes to learn and then win a tower-building exercise, defeating a number of “A students” in the process. From John's story, what does that teach us about learning from mistakes — early and often — in a way that propels toward success? Why is this an entrepreneurship lesson (or a human lesson) and not just an engineering lesson?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• Surprisingly, it’s the A students” who think they know how the world works
• Knowing vs. Experimenting?
• “It’s all about the scientific method” — Lean Startup
• PDCA = Plan Do Check Adjust
• Others didn’t observe and learn from your mistake?
• Spaghetti building – kindergartners vs. MBA
• TED talk — the god complex, trial and error
• Small tests of change = mistake mitigation method
• Chick-fil-A, ThedaCare, and rapid prototyping
• ThedaCare stories
• Adam Savage – Every Tool's a Hammer book
• How do you define mistakes? Strict definition vs common definition?

mistakes —

1. (strict definition) conscious deliberation that leads to selecting the wrong intention.
2. (common definition) synonym for error. For example, the term mistake-proofing uses the common definition since mistake-proofing is used more to prevent slips than mistakes (using strict definition)

• Errors – breaks down then into mistakes vs slips
• Mistake – do what you intended to do
• Slips — right intent but not executed well
• How do you define “mistake proofing”?? Or Slip-Proofing
• How do we decide if mistakes or slips are preventable? “Different vocabularies” for each…
• Why are checklists the “weakest form of mistake proofing”?
• Some recent examples you’ve seen of mistake proofing in everyday life?
• Be careful signs…
• “How can I make this process fail? Make it fail in a benign way…”
• The language around “mistake proofing” or “error proofing” vs. — is it a mistake to say things like “fool proofing” or “idiot proofing”??

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Former Deloitte partner, coach, speaker, and trainer

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake19

Joining me for Episode #19 is Carrie Sechel, a former Deloitte partner who now works as a coach, speaker, and trainer. As Carrie explains:

"After years of building my career as a partner at Deloitte, I found my family broken by guilt, shame, resentment, and addiction. My husband, Todd, and I committed to creating our own family model that celebrates the best of each of us. Now, we have a relationship and life that I couldn’t even imagine a few years ago."

She has over 20 years of coaching and consulting experience. Carrie is the author of the bestselling book, BASE Jump: Finding Yourself In An Unfulfilling Professional World and she is a co-author of the WarriHER Playbook.

In our conversation, Carrie shares a mistake from her time at Deloitte, where what might have been characterized as a "human error" and a "process error" was really, to her, a "management error" that she was responsible for. This situation and the "gap" she identified between "what I am and what I'm pressured to be" led to her departure and her increased focus on female breadwinners and the particular issues that can create in lives, families, and careers.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

CEO of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital.

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

My guest for Episode #193 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Kurt Wilkin, a co-founder and CEO of HireBetter and managing partner of Bee Cave Capital. His bio says he's “coach, mentor, entrepreneur… and proud mistake-maker.”

Prior to founding HireBetter, Kurt founded and led The Controller Group (TCG), a professional services firm focused on accounting, technology and recruiting, which was acquired by Tatum in 2006.

He’s the author of a new book, Who's Your Mike?: A No-Bullshit Guide to the People You'll Meet on Your Entrepreneurial Journey. You can learn more at WhosYourMike.com.

His quiz that he mentioned in the episode: WHOSYOURMIKE.COM/QUIZ

In this episode, Kurt tells his favorite mistake story about not having a complementary “execution partner” to help him run a business. How (and why) did he adjust? Why did he step aside from the CEO role and what did he learn from this entire experience that serves him well today?

We also talk about questions and topics, including:

• What does it mean to you to be a “proud mistake maker”??”
• How do you try to create a culture where people can also be proud mistake makers? Leading by example?
• Investing in people who are humble enough to learn…
• Learning from mistakes vs. avoiding company-killing mistakes?
• You’ve said that you saw your dad struggle as an entrepreneur. Were you able to learn from any of his mistakes?
• You joined a failed startup in the dot-com bubble… any lessons learned from that?
• Mistake to try to swing for the fences vs. lifestyle cashflow positive business
• TELL US ABOUT THE BOOK: A business book for people who hate business books?

Find Kurt on social media:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Author, CEO & Founder of The Creator Mindset, LLC.

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake88

My guest for Episode #88 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Nir Bashan, CEO & Founder of The Creator Mindset, LLC.

Nir is a world-renowned creativity expert. He has taught thousands of leaders and individuals across the globe how to harness the power of creativity to improve profitability, increase sales and ultimately create more meaning in their work. Nir has worked on numerous albums, movies, and advertisements with famous actors and musicians ranging from Rod Stewart to Woody Harrelson. His work on creativity has won a Clio Award and was nominated for an Emmy. As founder and CEO of The Creator Mindset Consulting, his company produces workshops, consulting, coaching and keynote speaking engagements at conferences and corporate events. His clients include AT&T, Microsoft, Ace Hardware, NFL Network, EA Sports and jetBlue.

His book The Creator Mindset: 92 Tools to Unlock the Secrets to Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability, which has been translated into two languages, was released worldwide by McGraw/Hill business in August of 2020.

In today's episode, Nir shares his "favorite mistake," which involved his film production company that released a documentary film ("The Kitchen") that did well... but then went out of business. Why was it a problem to rest on their initial success? Why did it "work for a while" before "tanking"?

Other topics and questions:

• Applying those lessons from your experience to your current business?
• Takeaway – “I don’t sell anything anymore”
• Why he does more listening now
• Can you have a process for being creative?
• It’s a tool to use, not a gift?
• Prof. Amy Edmondson, in her blurb for your book, makes reference to “using mistakes to learn fast” — tell us more about that…
• Look at the mistake in a positive way

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Executive Director of Feed A Billion

Episode Page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake136

My guest for Episode #136 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Nicole Roberts. She is the Executive Director of Feed A Billion, an international nonprofit that feeds girls around the world to prevent exploitation and she's the founder of Health & Human Rights Strategies, a health care and human rights-focused advising firm in Washington, D.C.

Nicole is also the host of “The Global Good Podcast.”

Nicole contributes to Forbes, contextualizing health, and highlighting ideas, companies, and people that are changing the health landscape. Her writing has appeared in numerous journals and publications, and her talks can be found on the United Nations website and various news and sports outlets.

She has a doctorate in public health from the University of North Carolina, a masters in public policy from the University of Chicago, and completed undergraduate work in psychology and biology at the University of Missouri.

In today's episode, Nicole shares her “favorite mistake” story about making bad assumptions about starting a meals program for girls in India — assuming that a model that worked elsewhere would work there. How did she learn about the bad assumption and how did they correct this to be more effective?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• Given your brain science background – then going into public health… thoughts on the best way to get more people to say “yes” to vaccination?
• You’re also hosting what has become an annual event at the Super Bowl – Brain Health Summit – in its 9th year — tell us about the event?
• Was agent Leigh Steinberg too powerful to get ostracized after that paper & event?
• Jen Welter Episode #60
• Dave Scatchard Episode #59
• Tell us about the nonprofit “Feed A Billion”
• Tell us a little bit about your firm Health & Human Rights Strategies…
• Tell us about the Podcast — The Global Good Podcast
• “If you aren't making mistakes then it means you aren't paying enough attention or you aren't listening to the people around you.” Tell us what that means to you.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Author, founder and CEO of Seiler Tucker

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake20

Joining me for Episode #20 is Michelle Seiler Tucker, founder and CEO of the firm Seiler Tucker. Michelle has sold hundreds of businesses to date and currently owns and operates several successful businesses. Michelle is one of three American women to hold the Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI) certification.

Michelle is the author of the book Sell Your Business For More Than It's Worth and her newest book, due out in January 2021, is Exit Rich: The 6 P Method to Sell Your Business for Huge Profit.

In our episode, Michelle shares one of her "favorite mistakes" involved in selling a business and we chat about some of the mistakes made (and lessons learned) by business owners who want to sell their business.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Founder of Shattered Pencil Studios

Episode page and links: https://markgraban.com/mistake160

My guest for Episode #160 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Rosie Kosinski. She is what she calls the Brand Queen and Founder of Shattered Pencil Studios, a brand design & development boutique. She straddles the line between creative and strategic, artistic and scientific.

Raised by entrepreneurs and artists in a nomadic environment that took her through Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, Rosie is a global citizen through and through. She taps into this mosaic of perspectives to deeply understand the people she serves and to help them connect with the people they serve.

In today's episode, Rosie shares her “favorite mistake” story about “waiting too long to get a coach.” How did she go from being skeptical about the idea to working with a coach for years?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• Learning to value her work — the Sandler Selling System
• Why she learned to quote a price and “shut the hell up”
• More about what you learned about being a branding design coach?
• Do people confuse a logo with a brand?
• Mistakes that people make when it comes to branding?? Other than being cheap? Micromanaging the process?
• Blog post about Brand Clarity in Seven Questions
• 5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Became A Founder

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Trainer, health coach, medical technologist

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake10

oining me for Episode #10 is Jane Wenning, a Certified Medical Technologist, Certified Athletic Trainer, and Health Coach who has been helping women improve their mental and physical health for over 20 years.

More from her bio: “During her high school and college years, she was overweight, struggling with eating disorders, had low self-esteem, and experienced brain fog. After having two unhealthy but successful pregnancies, she struggled with postpartum depression and knew she had to make health changes if she wanted to welcome a third child into the world. She spent hundreds of hours studying and researching nutrition, brain health, longevity, sleep, emotional intelligence, interval training, fasting and epigenetics and estrogenics. She now equips business professionals with the tools needed to become leaner, stronger, healthier, and create changes that lasts beyond retirement.”

Today, Jane shares her “favorite mistake” about sleep and how she learned to adjust her lifestyle and schedule to allow for proper restorative sleep. How does somebody know if they don't need as much sleep as others versus being truly sleep deprived (and being in denial about it).

You can learn more about her at her website 4-PillarsHealth.com. These “four pillars” of wellness are recovery, emotional energy, nutrition, and movement. You can also find her on Instagram.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, CEO of two companies

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake12

Joining me for Episode #12 is Angel Cellucci, a nurse practitioner and an entrepreneur. She is owner and CEO of two firms related to fighting medical billing fraud and mistakes: Medical Fraud Fighters and Overbrook Consultants, Angel is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She has been a nurse for over 20 years and a Family Nurse Practitioner for almost 10.

In the episode, Angel shares her favorite mistake of "chasing shiny objects" as a new entrepreneur -- what she means by that and what she's learned from that. We also talk about her work and passion around medical billing mistakes and what patients can do to protect themselves from that. Is that problem with your bill (and 93% have an error) a mistake or is it intentional? Human error or blatant fraud?

She has a free eBook available on her website: "The 5 Things You Can Do To Protect Yourself From Medical Fraud & Abuse."

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

From KaiNexus

Episode page and links: https://markgraban.com/mistake149

My guest for Episode #149 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Clint Corley, who spent more than five years as a Senior Account Executive at the software company, KaiNexus.

I want to disclose that I've been involved with KaiNexus for more than ten years as a contractor, advisor, and investor.

Clint has BBA Degree in professional sales from Baylor University.

In today's episode, Clint shares his “favorite mistake” story about a time when he was working in oil and gas, in West Texas, early in his career. Did he get “sloppy or complacent” that one time that led to an oil/gas line being hit during a dig. Why was he “grateful” about the response and what did he learn and take forward with him?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• Sales as a process? Lessons learned from your story?
• Overselling?
• Persistence vs. being a pest?
• Bad sales email of the day — things that make it bad
• Advice for somebody who stumbles into sales?
• Elevator speech about KaiNexus?
• The culture at KaiNexus about learning from mistakes?

Find Clint on social media:

• Twitter
• LinkedIn

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Director of Strategy for The Industrious

https://www.markgraban.com/mistake76

My guest for Episode #76 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Matthew Boos. We were classmates in elementary school back in our hometown of Livonia, Michigan. Now, he is the Director of Strategy for The Industrious and he's the keyboard player for Blizzard of Ozzy, a Black Sabbath Tribute band.

In today's episode, Matt shares his favorite mistake story from a time when he was working for a major telecommunications company. A project was behind schedule ("in the red") and he and his project co-leader weren't forthcoming about that. Matt says he literally thinks about this ordeal every single day -- it's influenced him and he's learned from it. How has this influenced him as a leader? Listen and find out.

This podcast is part of the Lean Communicators network.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Retired Air Force pilot and Southwest pilot, book author

Show notes https://www.markgraban.com/mistake15

My guest for Episode #15 of "My Favorite Mistake" is Rico Racosky, a retired 737 pilot for Southwest Airlines, who previously flew jets in the United States Air Force -- fighter jets ( (F-16 and A-7) and transports (C-141).

From his bio:

"Rico grew up in a small coal mining town full of self-doubt and lacked a clear direction in life. Along the way to living his dream of becoming a fighter jet and airline pilot, he developed a strategy for clear and effective decision-making that launched his entrepreneurial path, and he’s now determined to share his strategy and impact as many people as possible."

In today's episode, Rico shares his "favorite mistake" regarding a choice that he had to make during his Air Force career. We also talk about his "Just 2 Choices" framework that was developed through his time in the cockpit -- he's the author of the book Just 2 Choices... It's Your Life. In the episode, we also talk about his choice to not become an artist (and Mark's similar life choice to not become a musician). We also discuss the importance of good decisions as a pilot and how sometimes we need to prevent mistakes instead of just learning from them after the fact.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Author of IN/ACTION: Rethinking the Path to Results.

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake139

My guest for Episode #139 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Jinny Uppal, the author of the new book IN/ACTION: Rethinking the Path to Results.

Jinny is no stranger to driving contrary and innovative thinking. Uppal’s 20+ years of experience driving transformational growth by challenging existing norms in business is key to her success working with Fortune 500 telecom, eCommerce, and retail companies.

She is a technology and business leader with over 20 years’ experience driving transformative growth at Fortune 500 North American companies.

Most recently, she was Vice President of Strategy at a $12B North American retailer, driving transformative growth through new category launches and innovative store experiences

Jinny grew up in Mumbai and is a graduate of Florida International University and Harvard Business School. She has been a practitioner of Vedic and Buddhist meditation and breathwork since 2008.

In her new book, IN/ACTION: Rethinking the Path to Results, published by New Degree Press, Jinny Uppal explores the downside of the prevalent cultural bias for action even when it’s unnecessary or counter-productive. Capturing insights into the benefits of reflective thinking and strategic inaction, author Jinny Uppal presents a less stressful and more efficient way of achieving more by “doing” less.

You can enter to win a signed copy of Jinny's book!

In today's episode, Jinny shares her "favorite mistake" story about taking action too quickly, when she decided to re-use some technology from another part of her company... but she had to give up after it didn't work out. That inspired her study of what happens when we rush to action.

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• What is “breathwork”?
• What are some mistakes that are made when we’re driven to action?
• Example - Ron Johnson as CEO of JC Penney (read my blog post about this)
• Advice: “let it simmer for a few days…”
• Understanding cause and effect is very important… what types of errors do humans make in understanding (or misunderstanding) cause and effect relationships… does that drive the wrong actions?
• Causes of bias to action problems?? Overconfidence
• Overconfident — so convinced that you dismiss input
• Is “bias for action” mainly a Western phenomenon?
• Toyota expression — “go slow to go fast” — your reaction to that?
• Did you do a prototype for your book?
• Tell us the story behind the book… what inspired you?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Consultant with two degrees from MIT

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake105

My guest for Episode #105 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Andrea Jones, founder and principal at her firm Andrea Jones Consulting.

Andrea Jones has focused on efficient and effective Project Management and Change Implementation for over 20 years. She also loves process improvements, and has a natural instinct to always seek a better way to execute work.

Andrea began her career at Intel Corporation, as a Process Engineer, and grew to love the use and analysis of data to make actionable recommendations.

Andrea has an MBA from MIT Sloan, an Engineer Masters from MIT, a Masters in Chemistry from the University of Oregon, and a Bachelors in Chemistry and Japanese from the University of Oregon, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

In today's episode, Andrea shares her “favorite mistake” story about how she took a buyout from Intel, but then “felt like a failure” because “they didn't find a role” for her. Why did it take years to get over the “emotional baggage” and what did Andrea learn from that experience?

We talk about that and other topics including:

• “The time value of life”
• Part-time consulting work models for moms (and for dads)
• Is it a mistake to not want to manage others?
• So hard to keep working moms in the workplace
• Might not have all the answers when we go into something
• Treat it as an experiment and “fail fast”?
• Admit failure, accept reality
• Simon Sinek's book The Infinite Game
• Do organizations crave certainty?? Do our brains?

Find Andrea and her firm on Social Media:

• LinkedIn

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

http://myfavoritemistakepodcast.com/

I hope you'll enjoy listening to My Favorite Mistake, published weekly. Please subscribe, rate, and review!

And please check out my new book, The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Author, speaker, professor

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake103

My guest for Episode #103 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Cheryl Lentz, “The Academic Entrepreneur.” She is a keynote speaker, faculty at five universities, publisher at The Lentz Leadership Institute

She is the author of the book Failure Has No Alibi: Learning From the Lessons Failure Teaches. She had a podcast (still available for listening) called “Fail Faster, Succeed Sooner.” You can also watch her TEDx talk on the subject of failure.

In today's episode, Dr. Cheryl tells her “favorite mistake” story about not being allowed to continue as an organ performance major in college. Why did she “run from that failure” to the point of abandoning music altogether? What would she have done differently and how does she help people “process failure”? What happens when we fail? Is failure an “f word”?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Author of the new book, The Power of Regret.

Enter to win a copy of the book

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake137

My guest for Episode #137 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Daniel H. Pink. He is the author of seven books and his most recent was released on February 1, The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward – that seems like a perfect topic to explore on this podcast.

I had a chance to interview Dan back in 2010, for another podcast series, about his book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.

Dan’s books have won multiple awards, have been translated into 42 languages, and have sold millions of copies around the world. He received a BA from Northwestern University, where he was a Truman Scholar and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and a JD from Yale Law School.

In today's episode, Dan shares his “favorite mistake” story about never finding a mentor — he didn't ask, didn't think it was needed. How did he learn that this was a mistake and a regret?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• What's the difference or connection between mistakes and regrets?
• Mistake is an action, regret is an emotion
• Why having regrets is normal and healthy — and “why the ‘No Regrets' philosophy is dunderheaded and dangerous”
• You uncovered the four most common regrets, what’s one example?
• Is “regret” our most misunderstood emotion?
• Why do we regret what we DON’T DO more than regretting what we DO do?
• I regret times when I didn’t speak up in the moment…
• Tell us about the research that went into this book…
• “Talking about the regret is helpful” – lifts the burden, words out loud help or writing (disclosure)
• Self-compassion. Kristen Neff (Texas)
• How can we turn regrets into a positive force?
• How can we avoid dwelling in regret?
• Do you think the pandemic has, in some way, caused people to think differently about regret?
• World Regret Survey

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Retired Goodyear executive, consultant, speaker entrepreneur, and CEO

Show notes: http://www.markgraban.com/mistake5

My guest for Episode #5 is Billy Ray Taylor, a retired Goodyear executive and now the founder and CEO of his firm, LinkedXL.

In today's episode, Billy talks about his “favorite mistake” in which he was “compromising on the standard” early in his career as a leader. “What were the standards for leadership?” he asks. How did mentors and his leaders help him learn the importance of maintaining standards? He then transitioned from being the student to being the teacher.

Billy Taylor: “What you accept, you cannot change. What you tolerate, you can never change.”

This podcast is part of the Lean Communicators network -- check it out!

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode Page

My guest for Episode #214 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Zak Waddell. He’s a college success manager at Woolf — the first global, collegiate higher education institution allowing membership for qualified new colleges through their software platform.

A previous guest, Anthony Trucks, (Episode 97) was a contestant on American Ninja Warrior. Zak was a contestant on a show that might be even more grueling (at least mentally): The Bachelorette (Season 9)

In this episode, Zak shares his favorite mistake story about, as an entrepreneur, falling in love with a business idea instead of starting with the “voice of the customer” and their needs. In this startup, why was it so difficult to challenge the traditional commission-based real estate model? What assumptions turned out not to be true? What did Zak learn? How does the experience with that failed startup help him now?

We also discuss his experience as a contestant on The Bachelorette. Did he ever think it was a mistake to start that journey? What mistakes do contestants make? What mistakes might viewers make when watching a “reality” show? We talk about that and more in this most dramatic episode of My Favorite Mistake yet.

Questions and Topics:

• Falling in love with an idea
• Need to take a Iterative approach and listening to customers
• What assumptions did you have to test?
• What did you learn through cycles of learning…
• Pivot or Pull the Plug??
• Not vetting individuals… not stopping to think if it was the RIGHT team…
• How to manage in less hierarchical ways?
• Failed startup — really helped him for what he’s doing now
• Rigorous iteration — failing fast, failing forward
• Applying those lessons to future ventures or Woolf?
• The Bachelorette — Was there any point when you felt like it was a mistake to sign up for this — before or during?
• Do you try to learn from previous seasons or just do your own thing?
• Why does it backfire when a contestant tries to report bad behavior to the Bachelorette?
• A mistake as a viewer to think what you see is naturally occurring vs. stirred up by producers? And editors?
• Is it by design that more couples from the show are getting married now?
• Tried to apply entrepreneurship concepts on the show? Fall fast, fail often?
• If asked to write a book about the lessons from the show for business?

Please follow, rate, and review via Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, or your favorite app — that helps others find this content, and you'll be sure to get future episodes as they are released weekly. You can also financially support the show through Spotify.

You can now sign up to get new episodes via email, to make sure you don't miss an episode.

This podcast is part of the Lean Communicators network.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

From England, former tennis coach, entrepreneur, founder of The Business Clubhouse, and more

Show notes ://www.markgraban.com/mistake24

My guest for Episode #24 is Ash Taylor, our first guest from England. He is the Founder of The Business Clubhouse. He is also a speaker and a business coach supporting small business owners. Ash is also the author of the recently-released book titled Hitting the Wall: Winning the game of business by breaking through your own barriers. You can learn more at hittingthewallbook.co.uk.

Today, we talk about Ash's “favorite mistake” of working with clients that he was not well suited for, in the context of a business that he owned that provided services and coaches for tennis clubs. How has Ash worked to avoid making the same mistake in new ventures? How successful has he been at that? How does he coach other entrepreneurs around this issue?

We also talk about coaching business leaders and how we can make it safe, creating a culture of not being afraid to put your hand up and ask for help, as he aims to create a psychologically-safe environment of peers.

Ash and I also chat about planning for what to do WHEN we make a mistake (since we WILL make mistakes).

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Author of The Career Toolkit.

Episode page: https://markgraban.com/mistake165

My guest for Episode #165 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Mark Herschberg, the author of the book The Career Toolkit, Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You. Learn more at his book's website. This is Mark's 300th appearance as a podcast guest!

From tracking criminals and terrorists on the dark web to creating marketplaces and new authentication systems, Mark has spent his career launching and developing new ventures at startups and Fortune 500s and in academia.

He helped to start the Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program, dubbed MIT’s “career success accelerator,” where he teaches annually.

At MIT, he received a B.S. in physics, a B.S. in electrical engineering & computer science, and an M.Eng. in electrical engineering & computer science, focusing on cryptography.

At Harvard Business School, Mark helped create a platform used to teach finance at prominent business schools.

He also works with many non-profits, including Techie Youth and Plant A Million Corals. He was one of the top-ranked ballroom dancers in the country and now lives in New York City, where he is known for his social gatherings, including his annual Halloween party, as well as his diverse cufflink collection.

In this episode, Mark shares his “favorite mistake” story about being promised something by board members that was not put in writing. What happened when a new CEO came in? Why was he fired from the product and engineering teams? What adjustments did he make to his approach with later companies?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• Was not spending on tech another short-sighted decision?
• Book — lots of examples of mistakes in the book and the class he teaches
• Tell us about the book?? The Career Toolkit, Essential Skills for Success That No One Taught You. — not just about new graduates?
• Networking mistakes – he met Tim Berners-Lee and blew the opportunity to build a relationship
• What are some of those essential networking skills?
• Is it a mistake to sign confidentiality or non-compete clauses?
• Negotiating mistakes? Don’t name a number first?
• Ethical situations?
• Your top 3 Halloween costumes?

Find Mark on social media:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Author and consultant, entrepreneur, kindness enthusiast

Show notes: http://www.markgraban.com/mistake3

Joining me for Episode #3 is Karyn Ross, an author and consultant who also works in my field of the “Lean” management system. Today, Karyn will discuss her favorite travel-related mistake and what she learned. We'll also talk about how we can be kind in our coaching of others (and how we can be kind toward ourselves when we make mistakes).

Her books:

The Toyota Way to Service Excellence: Lean Transformation in Service Organizations

How to Coach for Creativity and Service Excellence: A Lean Coaching Workbook.

Think Kindly – Speak Kindly – Act Kindly: 366 Easy and Free Ideas You Can Use to Create a Kinder World…Starting Today!

Big Karma and Little Kosmo Help Each Other

Karyn signed a deal with a publisher for a new book, The Kind Leader -- available now

Please check out Karyn's non-profit, The Love and Kindness Project Foundation.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Show Notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake114

My guest for Episode #114 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Carlos Hidalgo, an author, International & TEDx Speaker, marketer, consultant, coach, and advisor.

Carlos is a co-host of The Life Design Podcast (with his wife Susanne) and is the author of the book Book: The UnAmerican Dream: Finding Personal and Professional Happiness Establishing Work-Life Boundaries.

In today's episode, Carlos shares his “favorite mistake” story about getting off track and burned out, professionally and personally, by putting his identity and purpose into his profession.

We talk about that and other topics including:

• My mention of a previous episode #31 Greg Jacobson – cohabitating with your spouse
• What happens when business doesn’t go well?
• 2015: came to a head, was burned out… relationship struggles, then separation
• Hustle culture… can be problematic (“garbage”)
• LinkedIn – “it’s OK to not have a work/life balance”
• What do you mean by “Designing Your Life”? Podcast?
• Allowing life to just happen? Or designing it?

Find Carlos on Social Media:

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page: https://markgraban.com/mistake155

My guest for Episode #155 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Rebecca Contreras. She is President & CEO of AvantGarde LLC, an SBA certified 8a and Women Owned Small Business firm she co-founded as Majority Partner in May 2011. Her firm offers a “one stop shop” approach to addressing complex organizational, people and technology needs.

Rebecca Contreras is the author of the book Lost Girl – From the Hood to the White House to Millionaire Entrepreneur, which recounts her journey from becoming a welfare-dependent teenage mother to advising a sitting president, to driving a successful 100-person company.

Rebecca is a social and business entrepreneur who started her fifteen-year service in government in a welfare-to-work program for Texas icon Ann Richards.

Rebecca then spent nearly twelve years working with George W. Bush, first in Texas as his Director of HR then in the White House as a Commissioned Officer supporting the Presidential transition, followed by other roles in D.C.

In today's episode, Rebecca shares her “favorite mistake” story about trying to move past some mistakes she made as a young woman. When she was becoming part of the White House staff, she was open and transparent about her past mistakes — was it a “crapshoot” that might not have turned out well? How did Rebecca move past her early mistakes, including dropping out of high school and becoming a teen mom?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• Mentoring and coaching girls today
• When President Bush called you to serve, why did you have imposter syndrome? How did you recognize that and get past it?
• West Wing protocol mistakes?
• Tell us more about the book
• Tell us about your firm… who you serve and how
• What is it like being the CEO of a minority- and woman-owned consulting firm working in a male-dominated industry?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Founder & CEO of Pavo Navigation Consulting

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake69

My guest for Episode #69 is AmyJo Mattheis, the founder and CEO of her firm Pavo Navigation Consulting.

She has worked in international development, government, higher education, and religion — a professor and a pastor. Works a lot with high-tech startups… she has managed teams, built roadmaps, facilitated groups, navigated boards, set vision, and led thousands of people to bring them into form.

Questions and topics include:

• What were AmyJo's three favorite mistakes? Needing to know the answer (or thinking I had to be right) Staying too long in a job Expecting the organization to “love you back” (even if that's a church)
• How do you learn it’s a problem?
• Somatic indicators – signals?
• Is it fixable? Is it mine to fix? Advice: set a timeline to see if it can be better
• Knowledge vs. assumption
• Being right vs. testing hypotheses
• Coaches people all the time who beat themselves up over mistakes — accepted part of the culture
• Believing it was my responsibility to make everything right or successful
• Founders in Silicon Valley and Venture Capital firms… fail fast, fail early? Easier said than done

“I am exactly where I am meant to be, doing what I am supposed to do, at the exact time and place it is needed. All of where I have been now culminates into a potent product that brings results of increase for all and a new pathway to profit for you, your company, organization, or institution.” --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Republican Representative from Texas

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake2

My guest for Episode #2 is not currently a business leader, but he is going back into the private sector in January 2021. He is Congressman Will Hurd, a Republican representing Texas’s 23rd Congressional District.

Hurd was student body president at Texas A&M University, he served as a CIA undercover operations officer including stints in the field in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. After working for a cybersecurity company, he was elected to the House in 2014.

Today, the Congressman talks about his “favorite mistake,” which includes his lessons learned from running and losing his first election in a runoff. We'll also hear about his experiences in the CIA and how they focus on training — and executing the mundane tasks perfectly — as a way to prevent bigger, catastrophic mistakes.

Update March 2022: Hurd is now the author of the book American Reboot: An Idealist's Guide to Getting Big Things Done.

Thanks for listening -- please subscribe, rate, and review. You can support the podcast: https://anchor.fm/favorite-mistake/support

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Co-author of the book Money off the Table: Decision Science and the Secret to Smarter Investing.

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake67 (go there to enter to win a free signed copy of her book)

My guest for Episode #67 is Nika Kabiri, who describes herself as a “forward thinking, science-loving entrepreneur, author, public speaker, teacher, and researcher.” She's a decision scientist, who has her firm Kabiri Consulting, is on the faculty at the University of Washington Department of Communication, and is co-author of the book Money off the Table: Decision Science and the Secret to Smarter Investing.

Nika has a PhD in sociology and, while she earned the JD degree, she's not an “attorney” (that was my mistake in the episode — oops!!). She has over twenty years of experience studying how people make decisions in a variety of contexts, from business to politics to relationships, and she's an active writer with a lot of great insights to share. You can also find her at YourNextDecision.com.

Questions and topics include:

• What do mistakes even mean?
• Was law school a mistake?
• What’s your favorite mistake?
• Was it a mistake in thinking that the “Safe space” at work was really safe? But she was TOLD it was!
• How does a decision scientist decide whether she should speak up or not?
• Minimizing regret vs. maximizing possibility of good outcomes
• Helpful to delay a decision when you can?
• Forecasting the probability of outcome.. can’t predict the future… but we're craving certainty
• Broader themes on misinformation… what do you trust? Stories? Data? As people decide should they wear masks? Should they get vaccinated?
• You’ve written about solutions to conspiracy theories… what can individuals do, what must society do?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page: https://markgraban.com/mistake162

My guests for Episode #162 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast are Dr. Joseph A. Allen and Karin M. Reed.

They are the authors of the book SUDDENLY HYBRID: Managing the Modern Meeting. Their previous book was SUDDENLY VIRTUAL: Making Remote Meetings Work.

KARIN M. REED is CEO of Speaker Dynamics. She is an Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist and now focuses on helping business professionals to be confident communicators on any platform? in person, on camera, or through virtual communication tools.

JOSEPH A. ALLEN, PHD, is a Professor of Industrial and Organizational Psychology at the University of Utah. His research focus is on the study of workplace meetings, organizational community engagement, and occupational safety and health.

Sharing their “favorite mistake” stories, Karin talks about a time early in her television news career, where a technical mishap taught her to always have a “Plan B.” Why was Joe surprised that he wasn't getting honest feedback about his writing, and what did that teach him about not taking expertise for granted?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• Mistakes with virtual meetings?
• Is it a mistake to keep your camera off?
• What is a hybrid meeting or the hybrid workplace?
• Mistakes that people or organizations make with hybrid?
• Tips and tricks to be inclusive to all participants in the room, on video, on the phone etc.?
• Technology to solve the room webcam camera problem?
• When the video is imperative in a virtual or hybrid meeting and when it’s not?
• Non-verbals in a hybrid meeting?
• Strategies to combat video fatigue and multitasking?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Show page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake117

My guest for Episode #117 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Lynn Yap, the Founder of Actv8 Network, whose mission is to increase the participation of women in the fields of technology, and entrepreneurship. She started her career as a corporate attorney, and then followed a traditional business path—graduating from the Wharton School with an MBA and working in investment banking.

Her curiosity led her to research more about using businesses as a force for good. Her book The Altruistic Capitalist: How to Lead for Purpose and Profit represents the culmination of conversations with leaders at for-profit corporations, entrepreneurs, and investors, and her personal experience.

In today's episode, Lynn shares her “favorite mistake” story, which led to her to leave investment banking after participating in the Facebook IPO. Why did she learn that she never again “wanted to sacrifice [her] values”?

We talk about that story and other topics including:

• Did you go through a process of forgiving yourself?
• Why did you start the Actv8 Network?
• Interactive programs? For young women?
• Gap — Tom Peters — need more women on boards, CEOs
• The book: Focusing on all stake holders instead of just shareholders?
• Business Roundtable statement — stakeholder capitalism
• 21 core metrics – people, the planet
• What is the “altruistic capitalist mindset”?Mindfulness, curiosity, grit

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Nurse executive, consulting CEO, author of Bringing Shadow Behavior into the Light of Day

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake50

My guest for Episode #50 is Phyllis Quinlan, PhD, RN. She is a nurse executive and she is also the CEO of MFW Consultants to Professionals. Phyllis has a BSN in Nursing and a Ph.D. in Healthcare Administration.

She is the author of many books, including her latest, Bringing Shadow Behavior Into the Light of Day. It's available through Amazon Kindle or as a paperback through her website.

In today's episode, Phyllis shares a story, and deeper lessons and reflections, about her favorite mistake — taking on a colleague's bullying behavior on her own, thinking she could fix that person. She didn't go to HR or the executive team until it was too late. Phyllis talks about two types of bad behavior in the workplace: 1) The chronically clueless and unaware and 2) “Narcissists with a license.” The former group you can help, the latter cannot be helped.

Phyllis shares lessons about what leaders can and should do about bullies in the workplace. What happens with a leader (or even the CEO) is a bully? How can we bring ‘shadow behavior’ into the light of day and prevent a toxic work environment? What are some mistakes that leaders make in dealing with bullies? How can we better train managers to deal with this?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

The usual host of this podcast being interviewed this time...

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake16

My guest for Episode #16 of "My Favorite Mistake" is Jamie V. Parker... she's the guest host. This gets complicated... she was my guest (as the guest) for Episode #8, where she shared her favorite mistake. Today, she's the guest host and she's interviewing me about a recent mistake that I made, a combination of errors and problems that almost led to me losing four episodes that had been recorded, but not released.

I also talk about something that might be a "favorite mistake" from my days working in manufacturing, a mistake that I wrote about in the book Practicing Lean (and Jamie also contributed a chapter to that book. Another thing Jamie and I have in common is podcasting, so please check out her podcast here.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Owner of the firm LeadQuine

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake141

My guest for Episode #141 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Ellen Patnaude.

She’s a Communication Coach. She’s owner of the firm LeadQuine. And her LinkedIn headline describes her as:

“Truth teller. People-ing Guru. Tough Cookie.”

Ellen is also a friend of mine from high school, as we played together in a regional youth orchestra for a few years.

In today's episode, Ellen shares her “favorite mistake” story about her time as a community organizer. She attended a meeting and assumed that her experiences growing up in Detroit would be relative to this group near Chicago. She was trying to prove her credentials, but learned that listening was more important than arguing about her bonafides. How did Ellen learn from this experience? Why is she now grateful that this happened?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• The importance of showing up, listening and asking questions (and not having your own agenda)
• Apologized… it was accepted… tough love
• You help people get better at communicating and interacting with others… common assumptions??
• How can leaders check for understanding without being parental?
• Asking better questions…
• Fired from a job for asking the wrong questions…
• Assumptions are #1 source of conflict
• Test your assumptions?
• Your firm’s tagline is “taking blinders off your team” — what’s the meaning behind that?
• What are some common mistakes people make in the realm of communication?
• Coaching people through those?
• Mistakes coaches make?
• Becoming less censored and less filtered?
• You’re currently writing a business book… Tell us about that

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Val = leadership trainer, executive coach, "management muse"

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake25

Joining me for Episode #25 is Val Ries, a leadership trainer, an executive coach and a "management muse." She's a nurse with an MBA and her firm is called Executive Muse.

Val has a book due out in April 2021 called Chief Inspiration Officer, so I'm looking forward to that. You can get the first chapter now through her website.

Today, Val shares her "favorite mistake" about her first leadership role, as president of her sorority. Why does she reflect and say, "I didn't know what I was doing"? What did Val learn from this experience and how has it helped her in her career and in her work with others? We talk about this and more.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Founder of New Braunfels Brewing Company

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake133

My guest for Episode #133 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Kelly Meyer, the author of How NOT to start a Damn Brewery: Ten Business Lessons From The Front Lines of The Craft Beer Industry — and a podcast of that same name.

In today's episode, Kelly shares his “favorite mistake” story about starting a brewery (New Braunfels Brewing Company) at the wrong time — and how he sold that brewery ten years later. His book talks about 10 major mistakes that he made… it’s a fun read, even if you’re not interested in starting a damn brewery.

We talk about that story and other topics including:

• Not getting out – 3 moments of insolvency… How close were you to getting out?
• Had sold a chain of fitness centers — what made that successful? Did you think that would be transferrable?
• 2022 – when the EIDL funds run out…
• Why write the book? Cathartic? Warning for others?
• Are you working as an advisor to others?
• Was it a mistake to curse in the book?
• “Most people… don’t want to hear the truth” — Magazines don’t want to print anything negative
• “Mistakes are just weaknesses leaving your business”
• Would you ever start another brewery based on what you learned the first time?
• Tell us more about the podcast — No shortage of guests?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake110

My guest for Episode #110 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Moses Harris, a software engineer and technical leader at IBM, and the co-founder and Head of Outreach for Tech Can [Do] Better, an organization that helps technology companies create equitable outcomes for underserved populations, starting with the Black community.

Moses graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago with a degree in architecture. Born, raised and schooled in Chicago, he now lives and works in Austin, Texas.

In today's episode, Moses shares his "favorite mistake" stories about being fired two different times as a young professional.

We talk about that and other topics including:

• His mistake: He tried to bow to power instead of having conversation and keeping pride more intact
• Q: Was it a racial component to interactions with the VP?
• “The lessons you learn are the fuel…”
• Is being told "you're not a good fit" a code for other things?
• Should we look for "culture fit" or "culture add"?
• Tell us about Tech Can [Do] Better -- why was it founded?
• Controversy about Black people fired by Google
• Mistakes companies make when trying to close gaps in racial equity?
• "ERGs [Employee Resource Groups] aren't a mistake, but there's a risk they become social clubs"

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

The original Phillie Phanatic (1978-1993), Author of "The Power of Fun"

Notes & enter to win a signed copy of his book: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake43

My guest for Episode #43 is Dave Raymond, author of the book The Power of Fun. So what does Dave know about fun? He's had an incredibly fun career. For one, he was a somewhat accidental pioneer as a sports mascot — he was the first person to perform as the Phillie Phanatic, doing so for 16 years, in 48 states and five countries.

He started Raymond Entertainment Group 20 years ago, where he has designed and rehabilitated hundreds of character brands for Fortune 500 companies, sports teams, and colleges and universities — Including Victor E. Green, who I’ve seen at Dallas Stars games and Gritty, the new Philadelphia Flyers mascot. In 2005, he founded the Mascot Hall of Fame. Davie is also a motivational speaker (doing a lot of virtual work now).

In the episode today, Dave shares his "favorite mistake" story which involved him and the Phanatic not showing up for an event -- and how the Phillies team leadership helped him learn a valuable lesson. We'll also talk about how he became the Phanatic, as a marketing intern with the team, the reception that he got from the fans, and whether the animosity with the late Dodgers' manager Tommy Lasorda was real or not.

We also talk about his recent work and why people should be having more fun in the workplace. Can you have a process for creating fun?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Cofounder and owner of The Billions Institute, LLC

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

My guest for Episode #179 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Becky Margiotta. She is the author of the book, Impact with Integrity: Repairing the World Without Breaking Yourself, a cofounder and owner of The Billions Institute, LLC, and the host of the Unleashing Social Change Podcast.

In this episode, Becky tells her favorite mistake story about thinking she would get an “A” for effort when working toward a bold goal of getting 100,000 homeless people into homes. Why did she “lose track of the outcomes” and how did she adjust and get back on track?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• What was the approach for reducing homelessness?
• Looking at measures more continuously along the way
• 100,00 lives campaign connection through IHI
• “Here’s what you’re doing wrong…” actually better ways to say it?
• Story about how people don’t want the answer…
• Leadership lessons from the Army and Special Operations that are transferrable?
• Outcomes focus? Commander’s intent? (McChrystal book)
• “Mission first, troops always”
• “First woman to command special operations…”
• Tell us about the Unleashing Social Change podcast

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Consultant, award-winning author, and more

Show notes https://www.markgraban.com/mistake22

Joining me for Episode #22 is Karen Martin, President of TKMG, and Founder and President of TKMG Academy. She is the author of many books including The Outstanding Organization and Clarity First.

Today, we talk about Karen's "favorite mistake" of leaving a corporate job to go solo. Why was it a mistake to want the VP title so badly? Why did it seem like a mistake (to her or to others) for her to leave? We also have a great conversation about how to create a culture in a company where it's safe to talk about (and learn from) mistakes.

I also love this quote and you'll have to listen (or read the transcript) to get the context:

"So I think of certainty as being a form of arrogance because we can't actually ever be certain."

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

My guest for Episode #89 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Christine Handy, a motivational speaker, author, and breast cancer survivor.

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake89

In 2016, Christine released her first book Walk Beside Me, a fictional depiction of her illness and a long road to recovery. After her diagnosis, Christine now aims to serve as a spokesperson, speaker, and Ambassador for cancer-related causes.

An accomplished model, Christine began her career at the age of 11 in her hometown of St. Louis. Throughout her career, she has done campaigns for notable brands like Guess, J. Crew, JC Penney, Bud Light, Pepsi, Petco, and Target.

In today's episode, Christine shares her “favorite mistake” story about “quitting” on herself and being afraid to ask for help while battling cancer. How did she manage to put aside pride and to learn to ask for help?

Other topics and questions:

• What led to not wanting the help anymore?
• What turned you around?
• We believe we’re helping others by not asking for help
• Tell us about the book — Walk Beside Me — Why a fictionalization?
• Who would you want to play you in the movie that's being made? Jamie King
• Why does self-esteem need to be worked on every day?
• Why do you have to question authority?
• Find her on LinkedIn Instagram Twitter YouTube

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

My guest for Episode #232 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Annie Krall, an adjunct faculty member at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. She is also a radio news anchor for WLS-Radio (890AM) in Chicago and comes home to the Windy City after being an on-air TV reporter for ABC in Green Bay, WI (WBAY-TV). 

After earning her bachelor's and master’s degrees from Northwestern, Annie covered breaking news in Green Bay, the Ryder Cup international golf tournament, as well as the Green Bay Packers. Host of her own weekly medical investigative series “Your Health Matters” Annie was accepted to medical school before pursuing journalism. Prior to WBAY-TV, Annie wrote and produced for ABC NEWS in New York City on the medical and business units for shows like Good Morning America, World News Tonight with David Muir, and 20/20.

Sharpening her golf skills as a competitive golfer starting at the age of six, Annie is now the entertainment golf correspondent for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). She helps spotlight celebrity women who either play or have had their lives changed by the sport.

In today's episode, Annie shares her favorite mistake about a time when she didn't hit “send” when needing to send video back to the newsroom. What perspective did she gain from this mistake?

While unpacking her story, Annie shares her unique perspective on journalism education, especially regarding the famous ‘Medill F.' This single grading policy has sparked debates amongst students and educators alike, highlighting the ever-present tension between tradition and change in academia. Tune in to this fascinating episode for an in-depth look at one woman’s journey through the fast-paced world of journalism.

Questions and Topics:

• Northwestern people don't want to admit mistakes?
• Did it ever feel like a mistake not to pursue med school? Did you worry that it would be?
• What are your thoughts about dealing with mistakes live on air? Or the risk of that?
• Why do the Chicago traffic reports insist on using the names, not the freeway numbers?
• The Medill F — the debate about whether that’s helpful or not??
• So giving a Medill F *is* a choice not a requirement from the Dean
• J.A. Adande – Episode 138
• Does it really work?? Do Medill graduates make fewer mistakes than Mizzou and Syracuse grads?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

CEO, clinical and organizational psychologist

My guest for Episode #153 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Nicole Lipkin, an internationally recognized clinical and organizational psychologist, executive coach, and keynote speaker.

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake153

Nicole is the author of two popular leadership books: Y In the Workplace: Managing the “Me First” Generation and What Keeps Leaders Up At Night: Recognizing and Resolving Your Most Troubling Management Issues.

She is the CEO of Equilibria Leadership Consulting, a leadership and organizational development firm. In terms of education, she earned a doctoral in clinical psychology (Psy.D.), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Criminal Justice (MACJ). Nicole is also the founder and CEO of HeyKiddo, a company dedicated to helping adults gain better control over their children’s mental, social and emotional health through technology.

She recently exited her first company, Equilibria Psychological and Consultation Services. Nicole is a regular contributor to Forbes.com and has shared her expertise on NPR, NBC, Entrepreneur.com, NY Times Magazine, CBS and other media outlets. She lives in Philly with her husband, Matt, her toddler, Charlie, and her chunky cat, El Guapo Meatball (who makes an appearance in the episode!).

In today's episode, Nicole shares her “favorite mistake” story about having a “bad feeling” but hiring “Hope” (not her real name) anyway. Why was it a “punch in the gut” when Hope quit three months later? Did Nicole feel like she failed as a coach and as a leader? What lessons did she learn from these experiences?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• Is it a mistake to not follow your gut during interviewing or during the first month??
• What keeps you up at night? How can we AVOID sleep trouble?
• How do we build psychological safety? How much is the leader’s responsibility?
• Psychological safety – talking about it vs doing the behaviors??
• How different is Gen Y?? Different influences and experiences?
• Tell us about Equilibria Leadership Consulting — who is your ideal client and why do they hire you?
• Tell us about HeyKiddo — building emotional wellness using technology

Find Nicole on social media:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Facebook

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake146

My guest for Episode #146 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is John Saunders, the founder of Forward Advisory Solutions.

He is the author of the book The Optimizer: Building and Leading a Team of Serial Innovators, which is now also available as an audiobook.

Click here to enter to win a copy of each.

John spent more than two decades as a Wall Street Senior Vice President, sales team leader, and award-winning sales executive. Followed his passion for helping others grow and founded a coaching and consulting company, Forward Advisory Solutions.

As a lifelong learner, Saunders asserts that change is necessary in today’s business world and believes in empowering those with whom he works. Holds a BS from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from Georgetown University.

He is also the host of a podcast called “New Degree Press – The Creator Community.”

In today's episode, John shares his “favorite mistake” story about becoming a new leader and trying to “turn everybody into me.” Why did he do that and what did John learn about what you need to give up as a leader, compared to being an individual contributor?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page with video and more My guest for Episode #233 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Phebe Trotman, a successful and heart-centered entrepreneur based in Vancouver, Canada, who is passionate about helping others discover their joy. Her book, released in July, is Never Quit on a Bad Day: Inspiring Stories of Resilience – Thriving Entrepreneurs. In both her athletic and professional careers, Phebe’s personal success has been a testament that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and a team-centered approach.  As an athlete, she has achieved many accolades as a soccer player, including being inducted into several sports halls of fame, winning championship titles, and being recognized as an exceptional athlete. Phebe has also excelled in her career as a network marketer, earning top awards and recognition within her company In today's episode, Phebe shares her favorite mistake getting a red card, which meant being ejected from a semifinal soccer championship match and sitting out the final. What were the life lessons and business lessons from this incident, where she retaliated against an opponent for their rough play? The retaliation gets punished?? Business lesson? We have a choice to how we respond?? Learning to not react — controlling our reactions Reacting to negative feedback, even before the book was released? Facing challenges? “ we should be more open about our struggles.” — why is that? When is it a mistake to quit too soon? Was it a tough decision to retire from professional soccer? Did you watch Ted Lasso?? What resonated with you? Helping others be resilient in the aftermath of mistakes? Lessons from the writing and publishing of the book?? Questions and Topics: --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Show page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake113

My guest for Episode #113 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Gena Cox, PhD PCC, an industrial psychologist, executive coach, author, and speaker. She has advised corporate leaders for 20+ years how to build organizational cultures that support innovation, inclusion, and employee engagement.

Gena earned a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of South Florida and is also the Founder/CEO of Feels Human, Inc. She has a book coming out in 2022 called Leading Inclusion.

In today's episode, Gena shares her “favorite mistake” story about leaving a company in a way she thinks was “cavalier” — regretting that she couldn't recreate that same culture elsewhere. Sometimes, yon’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

We talk about that and other topics including:

• How did recognition of mistake reveal itself?
• Feels Human, Inc. — what is a “human first organization”
• Human first doesn’t mean human only?
• “Inclusive leadership matters” — Beyond being the right thing to do from a human perspective, what are the connections between D&I to business results?
• Inclusion as a component of “effective leadership”
• Behaviors that are more inclusive?
• Diversity easier to measure than inclusion?
• Definition of inclusion?
• Blog post — “Why are you always talking about race?”
• The book — coming 2022, Leading Inclusion

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Author of "The Desire Factor"

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake63

My guest for Episode #63 is Christy Whitman, a Transformational Leader, Celebrity Coach and Law of Attraction expert, as well as the two-time New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Having It All and Taming Your Alpha Bitch. She is also the author of the international bestseller Quantum Success. Her new book The Desire Factor: How to Embrace Your Materialistic Nature to Reclaim Your Full Spiritual Power is available now.

Christy has appeared on The Today Show, The Morning Show, and The Hallmark Channel and she has been a TedX speaker.

Today, Christy and Mark talk about topics including:

• How did a new friendship point your career in a new direction?
• “A life of no excuses” — acknowledging mistakes means no excuses? Learning without beating yourself up?
• What is an “hyper-aggressive alpha bitch” and why is that, being that, a mistake for women?
• Why “watch your words“?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

CEO of Evernote Episode page with video, transcript, and more  My guest for Episode #178 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Ian Small, CEO at Evernote, the app that launched a personal productivity movement for knowledge workers around the world. Under Ian’s leadership (since 2018), Evernote found the courage to go back to basics, launching a new era of innovation for the company and building upon a decade of growth. Ian brings more than 25 years of global product, technology, and business leadership experience to his current role. Trained as an engineer, Ian's career has evolved from designing and building user experiences at Apple into product leadership and large-scale business management as CEO of TokBox and global Chief Data Officer for Telefónica SA. In addition to his current role at Evernote, Ian sits on the board of directors for Lumentum and is an advisory board member for Alphabet subsidiary Loon (a graduate of Google’s X Lab). He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science, a BASc in Engineering Science from the University of Toronto, and has earned more than 10 patents. In this episode, Ian tells his favorite mistake story about being told, early in his career, that he needed to be a better listener. What were the consequences as he became a manager? How did he realize that he needed to change and how did he work to overcome that bad habit to the point that he can now coach younger leaders to avoid or get out of this same trap? And how did Ian learn to listen better to customers and employees alike? We also talk about questions and topics including: Your favorite patent? Having to change habits… how? “Listen with a beginner’s mind “ Marc Benioff – Salesforce The episode with Emily Learing Overhauling Evernote over 2 years — rebuilt from scratch? Better listening to customers, employees, and the board/investors Everybody internally (and customers) could tell you what the problem — why wasn’t it being addressed? Was Evernote not listening or not taking action? The mistake of inaction vs. action? What do you think of the SV mantra “fail fast, fail often”? How to avoid needing another reboot in 2030? Mistakes in how users use Evernote or is that not possible? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page - video, transcript, and more

My guest for Episode #174 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Jonathon Andell. He has been a quality professional since 1987, was one of the world’s first certified Six Sigma Black Belts in 1992, and has been a consultant since 1998, and a Fellow of the American Society for Quality since 2008.

Among Jonathon’s global clients are leading firms in such diverse industries as: aerospace, automotive, construction, design, electronics, food, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, service, software, and telecommunications. He has published and presented extensively.

Jonathon has a BS in Metallurgical Engineering from Purdue and MS in Metallurgy from Penn State. He is an avid amateur musician and a passionate community service volunteer.

In this episode, Jonathon tells his favorite mistake story about “gloating a bit” when his younger self (a “hot shot”) solved a difficult quality problem at work. Why did that damage some relationships and how did he get helpful feedback about that?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• Solving problems – sometimes people don’t want to admit problems
• Data driven… people and emotions and empathy, not just data
• Six Sigma mistakes?? Expert driven – “elitist”
• 30 Rock mocking Six Sigma?
• Mistake to “rank and yank” ala Jack Welch?
• “Huge opponent of rank and yank” — at Amazon?
• Brian Joiner “Fourth Generation Management” book
• Creating a culture where it’s safe to talk about mistakes — what’s necessary for this?
• Training people but then not letting them use Six Sigma afterward
• Working on a book with John Thacker

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page with transcript, links, and more

I WANT TO WRITE MY BOOK (ad)

My guest for Episode #195 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Ward Vuillemot. Ward is a seasoned C-suite executive with over six years of experience leading fully remote teams while building technology organizations from the ground up for companies with 150 to 650 employees in size and $50M to $125M in revenue across the Americas and Europe.

He is currently Chief Product Officer and CTO at RealSelf. He is a technical advisor with his own company, where he advises startup founders and CEOs on technical roadmap and technology organization along with lean approaches to finding market signals quickly.

I invited Ward because of this Forbes article about celebrating errors.

In this episode, Ward tells his favorite mistake story about launching “Amazon Tote” and why there was “too little friction” in user experience. What did he learn about understanding the customer experience? In a separate story, what was Ward's epiphany about seeing an ant on a bus?

Questions and Topics:

• Innovation is doing something others haven’t done before
• Tell us about the Celebration of Error (CoE) concept – and practice…
• Chicken and egg between psychological safety and CoE?
• How much Psychological Safety is necessary and how does CoE build more PS?
• From Correction of Error (Amazon) to Celebration of Error?
• Are all errors created equally in terms of what to celebrate?
• Discovering mistakes that had been there for years
• As a person who is “high-functioning autistic” – is it ever a mistake to disclose something that personal?
• From mindset to document?

1. IMPACT of the error on business – send to whole company?… why it matters, not why it happened
2. RESOLUTIONS — short-term and long-term (countermeasures) – fire out, then prevention
3. ROOT CAUSE – “show your work”

• When to use a CoE?
• People “NEED” to make mistakes to hit ever-greater goals?
• Taking an impersonal, non-blaming approach — easier said than done? Fighting the instinct to blame?

Please follow, rate, and review via Apple Podcasts or Podchaser or your favorite app — that helps others find this content and you'll be sure to get future episodes as they are released weekly. You can also become a financial supporter of the show through Anchor.fm.

You can now sign up to get new episodes via email, to make sure you don't miss an episode.

This podcast is part of the Lean Communicators network.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

CEO of Business Ethics Advisors, LLC.

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake125

My guest for Episode #125 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Kevin Foster, the CEO of Business Ethics Advisors, LLC. He is a former financial executive with FDIC-Division of Liquidation, Standard Chartered Bank, and Dr Pepper Co., a 30-year veteran in real estate, and a former CPA with Peat, Marwick & Mitchell (now KPMG).

Kevin’s journey took him from corporate real estate executive to a convicted felon (37 months in prison with 28 days in solitary confinement).

Now, Kevin uses his E.T.H.I.C.S. tools to provide ethics awareness and solutions so that others will be prepared to identify the personal characteristics and circumstances leading to unethical behavior.

In today's episode, Kevin tells his “favorite mistake” story about being a finance executive with a real estate company and how he got swept up in criminal conspiracy charges for basically being in the wrong job at the wrong time and for not quitting when he saw red flags.

We talk about that story and other topics including:

• What fraud was being committed by the company you were working for? How did that lead to your personal conviction?
• Kevin quit – but got talked into coming back…
• Was tying to avoid charges… “conspiracy” charges harder to get out of, doing “anything” that advances the conspiracy means you're complicit (even being in one meeting)
• How did “ethical problems” turn into legal problems?
• Why he's “shocked” that no other Theranos employees are facing charges
• What it's like for a white-collar person to go to prison??
• Preparing for incarceration?
• “Everything that happens… must happen… for a reason”
• “Three Felonies a Day” book – white collar professionals – so many laws that can get you thrown in prison
• Too many ethics programs are rules-based, video based
• He teaches values-based ethics
• Why are people unethical?
• Does anybody question if a convicted felon can be teaching them ethics? Learning from mistakes personified…

Find Kevin on Social Media:

• LinkedIn – Individual
• LinkedIn – Company

This podcast is part of the Lean Communicators network.

Please follow, rate, and review via Apple Podcasts or Podchaser or your favorite app — that helps others find this content and you'll be sure to get future episodes as they are released weekly. You can also become a financial supporter of the show through Anchor.fm.

You can now sign up to get new episodes via email, to make sure you don't miss an episode.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Positive psychologist and Author

My guest for Episode #101 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Kezia Luckett, a highly respected Positive Psychologist, three times international best-selling author of “The Pay it Forward Series: Notes to My Younger Self” and the creator behind two revolutionary modalities, The Energy Code® and Mind Conditioning Therapy®.

https://www.markgraban.com/mistake101

In today's episode, Kezia shares her favorite mistake, from her time as the founder of a concierge service for busy moms... and how that, ironically, led to burnout -- and how she's learned to prevent repeating that mistake.

Other topics and questions:

• Understanding that when things are going wrong… but we keep plodding through
• Walking away from a business - learned there is a new way
• Your current business - how to not repeat mistakes?
• Designed her business around my life - didn’t design work around her life the first time…
• Is our work or life on autopilot??
• What is positive psychology?
• Decoding & Releasing Your Past?
• Find Kezia on
• LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

CEO of Value Capture

Show notes: https://markgraban.com/mistake147

My guest for Episode #147 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Ken Segel, the CEO and Managing Director of the firm Value Capture. Value Capture is a trusted advisory firm that supports chief executives who seek to transform the performance of their healthcare organization in safety, quality, and profitability.

In terms of disclosures, I have been a subcontractor to Value Capture for four years, serving as a senior advisor to healthcare clients and, during pandemic times, working as the Director of Strategic Marketing for the firm.

Prior to forming Value Capture, he served as the founding director of the Pittsburgh Regional Healthcare Initiative (PRHI) and he served for five years as Senior Program Officer at the Jewish Healthcare Foundation of Pittsburgh.

Earlier in his career, worked in government and politics, with various roles including directing the overnight operations in the 1992 Clinton-Gore presidential campaign “War Room.”

Ken has a B.A., Harvard University in American History and Literature and an M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh

In today's episode, Ken shares his “favorite mistake” story about a time when he was a young legislative aide to Rep. Howard Berman. What went wrong when he went “on background” with a USA Today reporter? Why did he get a copy of the clipping with a “SEE ME” note from the Congressman?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• What happened when Ken met with the Congressman?
• Immediate lesson learned about speaking to reporters?
• Another lesson – wasn’t proud of the quote, wasn’t constructive
• Leadership lessons?
• Learning from mistakes
• Berman was “a people developer”
• Psychological safety
• Not carte blanche for making more mistakes
• How does psychological safety lead to better performance?
• You mentioned learning from Toyota… What did you learn from the late Paul O’Neill about improvement and preventing and learning from mistakes?
• Aspirational goals… theoretical limits
• Tell us more about Value Capture – free eBooks
• The podcast “Habitual Excellence“

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Leadership professor, author, entrepreneur

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake134

My guest for Episode #134 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Kasey Lynn Thompson.

She is an Associate Professor of Business Ethics, Business, and Strategy at Ferris State University and former Director of Global Menu Strategy for a Fortune 250 company.

Dr. Kasey Lynn is the author of the book Fall Down, Gritty Up: The Unconventional Mental Map for Becoming Your Own Hero.

She is also the proprietor of Pendulum Publishing, a consulting firm in Michigan. Dr. Kasey Lynn earned a PhD in Values-Driven Leadership from Benedictine University.

In today's episode, Dr. Kasey Lynn shares her “favorite mistake” story about a career decision — staying with McDonald's (the larger parent company) instead of staying with the spun-off RedBox company that she had worked for. What did she learn from these events? How does it inform and affect the way she coaches students about career decisions?

We talk about that story and other topics including:

• Choosing a job based on relationships, values… product?
• Advising students? – how to decide what “best” is for an opportunity?
• How has RedBox done in the age of streaming?
• Your PhD… What is values-driven leadership?
• Your former employer didn’t know you were working on a PhD?
• Theranos – Elizabeth Holmes? Fraud or true believer?
• Tell us about teaching Business Ethics…
• Most likely business ethics situations a student might face in the business world?
• You started a new restaurant… Fatty C's Dog House
• Not let yourself get too down, what am I learning from this?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

President & CEO at Iverson & Company

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake74

My guest for Episode #74 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Terry Iverson, the President & CEO at Iverson & Company, a third-generation family-owned company that produces machine tooling.

Terry is the author of Finding America's Greatest Champion: Building Prosperity Through Manufacturing, Mentoring and the Awesome Responsibility of Parenting (2018).

He is also founder of the ChampionNow! Foundation, formed in 2012.

Questions and topics include:

• What lesson did Terry learn about responsibility, in the realm of high school academics and sports eligibility?
• Lesson about accountability, when others depend on you
• As a father, can you teach that story or has to be lived?
• Fessing up and telling the truth about a mistake in the business
• You don’t make a decision KNOWING its the wrong decision — but learn something?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page with transcript, video, and more

My guest for Episode #210 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Mike Kaeding, the CEO of Norhart. They design, build, and rent apartments. They are transforming the way this is done by incorporating technologies and techniques that have revolutionized other industries. This has resulted in improved quality and reduced cost of housing. Ultimately, they are committed to solving America’s housing shortage and affordability crisis. And in doing so they hope to improve the way we all live. 

In this episode, Mike shares his favorite mistake story about not realizing that paying well to hire the best was well worth the investment. What opened his eyes to this as a new CEO and how did he adjust? We discuss that and the power of intentionally creating a culture that attracts and retains great employees who are aligned with Norhart's mission and goals.

Questions and Topics:

• How old is the company? You took over from your father…
• Tell us about some of the history and culture
• Your company — rare to design, build, AND rent?
• Is it a matter of speed, efficiency and quality?
• You’ve brought techniques from manufacturing? Tell us about that and who is helping you?
• Partnership with Toyota – TSSC
• You talk about building an attractive culture — Why is that? And how?
• The connection to employees and how it resonates with them?
• “Best in the world” is their goal…
• Life is so short — don’t waste it doing work you don’t enjoy, with people you don’t enjoy working with
• Norhart values
• Norhart Invest — interest-bearing accounts
• Podcast – “Becoming a Unicorn, ” launching soon

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Founder and managing director of the Tayne Law Group, P.C.

Episode Page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake143

My guest for Episode #143 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Leslie Tayne, an award-winning financial attorney and author of the book, Life & Debt. She has over 20 years of experience in consumer and business financial debt solutions.

Leslie’s extensive background spans in negotiations with large international banks and credit agencies for loans, lines of credit, credit cards, and student loans.

She is the founder and managing director of the Tayne Law Group, P.C., a law firm headquartered in New York dedicated to debt solutions and alternatives to bankruptcy for individuals and businesses. Leslie frequently provides her expertise on financial, credit, and debt topics both as a public speaker and in the media.

She is also a board member for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and America’s Vet Dogs.

In today's episode, Leslie shares her “favorite mistake” story about thinking she needed a male business partner when she started her first law firm. Why was this a mistake and why was it a mistake to partner with that particular man? What did she learn, including the need to hire for a fit with the vision and values?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• % of firms headed by women?
• Business owner financial mistakes?
• Mistakes with Merchant Cash Advance loans?
• Personal financial mistakes?
• Mistakes with debt relief, tax debt relief, or debt consolidation programs / services?
• Red flags to look for?
• When should somebody reach out to an attorney?
• Bankruptcy is not always the answer

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

My guest for Episode #116 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Steve Gerein, a musician and entrepreneur.

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake116

He was previously the lead singer of the country band Aces Wyld and he is now the founder and CEO of SongShop, a platform that connects artists with independent songwriters, so they can turn their catalogs into profit via licensing opportunities.

In today's episode, Steve talks about how he thought it would be “sort of easy” to make it as a band, eight or nine years ago in Canada (where he still lives). We talk about that and how he started a company that utilizes his domain knowledge.

We talk about other topics including:

• A band is like a startup?
• It’s not happening — but why?
• What tweaks can you make to the band?
• Making music vs. the business of music
• What are some of the opportunities to improve the model around buying or selling songs as a musician?
• The average song that’s written earns just $43 — why is that, how does SongShop help?
• Tools you can use when doubt and fear step in, and how to overcome them both in your professional and personal life?
• Other episodes that came up:Dr. Greg Jacobson Dr. Kelly Henry

Find Steve on Social Media:

• Twitter
• LinkedIn

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Founder of Moxie Bookkeeping

Show notes and more: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake107

My guest for Episode #107 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Ean Price Murphy, who founded Moxie Bookkeeping & Coaching Inc in 2003 to work with creative businesses and nonprofits.

In today's episode, Ean shares her “favorite mistake” story about believing financial advice without questioning it. She was told, and believed, the idea of “follow your passion and money will come?” Is that always true? It wasn't true for Ean in her first career, but she did, thankfully, find another field to be passionate about, as you'll hear her discuss.

We talk about that and other topics including:

• Why it was a mistake to think she needed to just work harder to earn more
• How did you, personally, get into this line of work?
• What would you have done differently? Do that sooner?
• What are your thoughts on so-called “hustle culture”?
• What makes your firm different than other bookkeepers?
• You have an approach called “Profit First” system? What is this?
• “The 5 Money Myths” — free download

Find Ean and her company on Social Media:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Publisher, book coach, and more.

Episode page with video, transcript, and more.

*** I WANT TO WRITE MY BOOK *** (AD)

My guest for Episode #176 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Mike Ulmer. While he specializes in helping business people write their books, he has written 13 books with a total of nearly $1 million in total sales revenue.

His latest book (March 2022) is Show and Tell Writing: A Great Short Business Book About How To Write A Great Short Business Book.

His other recent titles are Drop The Mic Marketing with Jason Hunt (2022), The 50-Year-Old Millennial: The Leadership Gap Exposed By Millennials And How To Close it with Marc Petitpas (2021) and The 40 Ways of The Fox (2021) with Ron Foxcroft.

He worked as the in-house storyteller for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Raptors and TFC as the senior writer at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

He has written for The Toronto Star, National Post, Southam News Bureau as well as news organizations across Canada.

Interesting fact — With 170,000 in sales, his book, M is for Maple is the bestselling alphabet book in Canadian publishing history. His website is https://www.mikeulmer.ca/

In this episode, Mike tells his favorite mistake story about striking a journalist colleague while in flight on a plane. Why did his sense of “grandiosity and recklessness” lead to this moment that changed his life? Why was this a “favorite mistake”? How did this moment make Mike realize that he needed help so he could now lead a better life?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• As a cancer survivor, why is it a mistake to use the phrase “battle with cancer?”
• Why should people write a business book? You say in your book “everyone should” — why is that?
• Even if you’re not a writer?
• Credibility… Mistake to assume you can also speak?
• Mistake to write with the audience in mind?
• “Have to take a contrarian stance”
• Publishing mistakes?
• Predatory people in the publishing system?
• “When I see the term best seller… bullshit”

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page with video, transcript and more

My guest for Episode #175 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Janet L. Polach, Ph.D. She is a global leadership development partner and coach. She has developed leaders in the U.S. and around the world.

As a retired lieutenant colonel having spent 20 years in the Marines, Janet knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a great leader.

After receiving her Ph.D. in organizational development and working with a global consulting firm in China, Janet launched her own consulting practice helping hundreds of companies across the globe including major brands and government contractors.

Her no-nonsense but lighthearted approach is what separates her from the boys and creates transformational results for even the most struggling leaders. She’s also the author of the book The Seven Mistakes New Managers Make.

Her website is: www.inthelead.co.

In this episode, Janet tells her favorite mistake story about losing her patience and losing her temper in front of others. She was working in the private sector and realized that a business partner hadn't held of their end of the bargain. But Janet agrees we need to “live and learn,” so she shared what she learned and how she adjusted from this encounter.

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• Praise publicly, criticize privately?
• What was the culture in the Marines regarding criticism
• Look for red flags during the interviewing process…
• I think of Marines as being very serious, with a serious mission… why do you think it’s important to have a “lighthearted” approach?
• Why write a book about leadership mistakes? Is that more helpful than saying what TO do?
• “We don’t train brand new leaders”
• How to do an effective 1×1??
• Mistakes that ORGANIZATIONS make — promoting the best individual contributor to a management role?
• Telling managers to basically just figure out how to manage?
• $166 billion is spent every year on leadership training but companies are still struggling due to a lack of leadership — WHY?
• How does the Marine Corps teach leadership? Classroom, behaviors modeled by senior leaders? Coaching?
• Mistakes in change management… what mistakes to leaders make and what should they do to full engage if not excite people about change?
• There are many mistakes we might make in giving feedback to somebody… what comes to mind and what do you recommend?
• Congrats again on the publication of your book… I understand there was/were Book(s) you attempted to write but didn’t finish?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

President of InQuasive, Inc.,

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

My guest for Episode #192 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Michael Reddington, an expert forensic interviewer and the President of InQuasive, Inc., which provides businesses and leaders with the tools they need to improve their leadership by activating the truth in all of their business interactions.

In his new book, The Disciplined Listening Method: How a Certified Forensic Interviewer Unlocks Hidden Value in Every Conversation (Per Capita Publishing, March 2022), Michael details his innovative listening approach for anyone looking to improve their communication and relationship-building skills. Using his background in forensics and his understanding of human behavior through interrogation, Michael teaches businesses to use the truth to their advantage.

In this episode, Michael tells his favorite mistake story about making assumptions about a client's readiness to work with him. Did “arrogance” lead to him not having a plan or a strategy? What did Michael learn and what did he start doing differently as a result?

We also talk about questions and topics, including:

• Making assumptions — Ellen Patnaude episode 141
• Started out working in loss prevention — Identifying shoplifters and dishonest employees?
• How you introduce yourself… and how has that changed?
• What is a Certified Forensic Interviewer (CFI)?
• TV and movie investigations — realistic or cliched nonsense? – Hollywood and “24”?
• How do you approach getting people to share information about their mistakes (or crimes?) when it might not be in their interest to be truthful?
• Leadership coaching, sales & negotiation training…
• Tell us about the book – who is this for?
• Consultant asking prospect about problems they need to solve? How to get them to open up?
• What is the “disciplined listening method” and what makes it “disciplined”?
• Tell us about InQuasive and the work you do… who hires you and to do what?

Find Michael and his company on social media:

• LinkedIn (personal)
• Twitter
• YouTube
• LinkedIn (company)

This podcast is part of the Lean Communicators network.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Founder, President, CEO of GrowthForce.

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake36

My guest for Episode #36 of "My Favorite Mistake" is Stephen King... no, not that Stephen King... but the Stephen King who is founder, President, CEO of GrowthForce, one of the nation’s largest outsourced bookkeeping, accounting and controller service for companies and non profits that use QuickBooks. He is also the host of the "Path to Profits" podcast.

Today, Stephen talks about his favorite mistake of not billing what he was worth and thinking he could "sell your way to profitability." What good is more volume if the margin isn't good? He talks about the valuable lessons he has learned -- how a small pricing change can lead to a huge profitability boost, while still making the customer feel good about it.

Stephen also shares how the "most important part of the culture" at GrowthWorks is "learning from mistakes" and being a "learning organization" as a core value. You'll hear how Stephen once had a "best mistake of the month" award and how they now use a Slack channel to share mistakes, even if there's no longer a prize.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Chairman and co-founder of Rice Cohen International

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

My guest for Episode #182 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Gene Rice, the Chairman and Co-Founder of Rice Cohen International. He's the co-author, with his daughter, of the book Grad to Grown-Up: 68 Tips to Excel in Your Personal and Professional Life. You can learn more at the book's website.

Gene has been in the recruiting industry for nearly 30 years and has been recognized as one of the top Executive Search professionals in the world. He has completed over 1,000 retained searches which have included 211 in the C-suite. Having also filled over 300 Partner, Principal, and Director level searches in the Management Consulting, Performance Improvement, and EdTech verticals, Gene is considered to be the #1 search executive in the space. He has even been recognized by Recruiter.com as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the History of the Executive Recruiting Industry.”

Gene also co-founded Rice Cohen Training & Consulting, the largest training firm focused on improving the skills of executive recruiters. Gene is very passionate about this space and believes in supporting the industry he loves. He has become an Executive Coach to the CEOs of many search firms.

As an active member of the community, Gene finds various ways to give back and contribute. After years of being involved with the Make-a-Wish Foundation and serving on the board, Gene and his wife Michele founded the Plant A Seed, Inspire A Dream Foundation. The 501 c-3 non-profit helps financially challenged youth to pursue their passions. Since being founded in 2008, the foundation has awarded over 700 scholarships and has been featured in People Magazine.

In this episode, Gene tells his favorite mistake story about quitting a job to start a competing live music venue on Long Island and how his “huge ego” led him to be “impulsive” in the decision to do so. Why does he say it “could have destroyed” him, why is it better to make mistakes like this when you're young, and how did he apply the lessons learned in his successful career?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• Coaching young professionals who make mistakes?
• Mistakes in working with an executive retained recruiter as a candidate?
• Selecting C-level executives? — what helps make for a good match (3 things you really need)
• The importance of C-level executives also having personal success and professional fulfillment (not just a job) — get your arms around that as a young professional
• Coaching college interns — helping them the first time they fail… looking at failing differently
• Charity that he started in 2008 with his wife: “Plant A Seed Inspire A Dream Foundation”

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

CEO of Brancu Associates

Episode page and links: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake145

My guest for Episode #145 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Mira Brancu. She is the Founder & CEO of Brancu Associates and is a Consulting Psychologist, Speaker, and Author.

Dr. Brancu helps leaders expertly navigate complexity in the workplace and help organizations make it easier for leaders to navigate. Dr. Brancu has 20+ years of experience in large, complex organizations, including federal government, academia, and healthcare.

She has a Psychology Today blog focused on women's leadership and is the author of Millennials Guide to Workplace Politics: What No One Ever Told You About Power and Influence. She received the 2020 Early Career Woman Psychologist in Management award and the 2021 Triangle Business Journal's Corporate Philanthropist Award.

Her background includes:

• PhD in clinical psychology
• M.Ed. and advanced certificate in counseling and supervision
• Certificates in: Business; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace; Lean Six Sigma Green Belt; Coaching

In today's episode, Mira shares her “favorite mistake” story about an early job as a school counselor and how she felt compelled to send a lengthy email about an ethics situation “straight to the top” and how that was “not well received.” What did she learn from that situation?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• Saying things like “I have a concern”? “Help me understand”… (or tell me more)
• Approach took focus off of the core issue?
• They made it about you as a deflection?
• Helping leaders make space for reflection?
• Applications of clinical psychology to organizational settings?
• How do you define Emotional Intelligence?
• Systems thinking and understanding yourself in a system of people?
• Complex workplace systems – no simple root causes of conflict?
• “Organizational trauma”?? — betrayal, lack of trust
• Tell us about the book — Not just for millennials?
• What can one person do?
• When to better navigate the environment and when to move on?
• Don’t want to deal with politics?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

CEO of "Decide to Move," military veteran, coach, author, and podcaster

https://www.markgraban.com/mistake37

My guest for Episode #37 of "My Favorite Mistake" is Monica M. Bijoux, the founder and CEO of DECIDE TO MOVE. She has been coaching business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals for almost 20 years.

As a veteran herself, she has been working with veterans as they transition from active duty life to business owners and entrepreneurs for over 10 years. Monica has a Masters of Science Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and a Masters of Social Work.

Monica is host of a podcast, also called “Decide to Move”, and she has co-authored three books: Fiercely Speaking; Teach Your Expertise; and Propel.

In this episode, Monica talks about learning to follow her intuition and learning to value herself. What are some of the challenges that veterans face when transitioning to civilian life? And, we also talk about her coaching work and how not to be victim.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

My guest for Episode #211 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Ellen Poole, author of the new book ‘Network’ is Not a Verb.

Ellen teaches people at all levels of their careers effective strategies to build networks and nurture relationships for professional success. After graduating from the George Washington University Law School, she became the fourth woman in U.S. history to be chosen as CEO of a state bankers association and was named by the Phoenix Business Journal as one of its ten most influential people under 40. More recently, Poole spent almost 15 years as a multi-state government relations executive for Fortune 100 company USAA, where she built a professional network spanning the country.

In this episode, Ellen shares her favorite mistake story about the time she blew a job interview by giving a “smart-ass” answer. Was it a blessing in disguise because the organization might not have been a fit. Does the need to be authentic trump all else? What did she learn about being more customer focused, in interviewing and in general?

Questions and Topics:

• Was this mistake a blessing in disguise in terms of fit?
• What did you learn? “Don’t be a smartass in job interviews…”
• Being more customer focused?
• Did anyone ever bring up that interview again?
• What are some common mistakes people make in the name of networking?
• Tell us about the book — ‘Network’ is Not a Verb.
• There’s an implied mistake… to think network is a verb… tell us about that…
• LinkedIn as a networking tool?? Sales platform?
• “How to solve the problems of everyone you come into contact with…”
• Use discount code MARKGRABAN on her website

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Creator of Comedy Central, author of the book Constant Comedy

Notes and links: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake57

My guest for Episode #57 is Art Bell, the creator of The Comedy Channel (which later became Comedy Central). He's also the author of the book Constant Comedy: How I Started Comedy Central and Lost My Sense of Humor, and co-host of the podcast “Constant Comedy.”

Today, we talk about Art's “favorite mistake” (it involves the comedian and talk show host Bill Maher) and topics and questions including:

• The ad campaign for “Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher” and how that ended up leading to an award
• Why it's bad to surprise the talent
• Did Al Franken walk out on “State of the Union: Undressed” because he didn’t know it was going to be live?? Was that show a better fit, the next year, for Dennis Miller?
• Having to often talk Nancy Grace into going on the air on Court TV
• Is it risky to write a memoir like this? Did you need lawyers involved to make sure you weren’t making a mistake?
• Jon Stewart – on “Short Attention Span Theater, was it a mistake to fire his co host Patty Rosborough without taking to him? – telling or asking? He was surprised… Mistake for them to not make him the original host of The Daily Show?
• Mistake for Michael Fuchs to say the programming quality was a 2 or 3 out of 10? You decided quickly it was a mistake to say you were quitting?
• New York mag called the channel “the biggest flop in years” Making adjustments?? PIVOTED and made changes as quickly as we could
• Getting fired from Comedy Central and lessons learned

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Founder of Mastertalk, based in Montreal

Show notes and more: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake38

My guest for Episode #38 is Brenden Kumarasamy, and he is the founder of MasterTalk, a YouTube channel that he started to help the world master the art of public speaking.

Today, we talk about his favorite mistake, when he sent 40,000 emails out to “every professor” in Canada… and that did not go well for Brenden.

What does go well for him is public speaking. Brenden shares his expertise about common mistakes that people make in public speaking (hint: it relates to practice) and mistakes that people make on YouTube.

You can also find him on Instagram.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

"The extraordinary word ninja" - author, publisher, book coach...

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake29

Joining me for Episode #29 is Kim Thompson-Pinder and she calls herself the “the extraordinary word ninja." Kim is Owner/Chief Visionary Officer at RTI Publishing House, and she is the author of five books. Her most recent title, being released soon, is Author to Authority (click for a free preview). Kim is also host of a podcast of the same name.

You'll hear Kim talk about that colorful phrase and why she uses it. You'll learn about her favorite mistake of getting overwhelmed with clients -- how she just "fell into" this sort of work and she didn't clearly define who she would want to work with. Is it a mistake to not have a book? Maybe not, but Kim will talk about the value of having a "signature book" that defines you and your business.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Confrontation expert and coach

My guest for Episode #150 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Danielle Gibson, a Confrontation Expert and a Certified Performance Coach. Her firm is Danielle Gibson Coaching & Consulting.

Episode page: https://markgraban.com/mistake150

Danielle was previously owner and designer at a jewelry company, Danielle Gibson Designs. She earned a degree in Fine Arts and also studied Italian language and literature in Italy.

In today's episode, Danielle shares her "favorite mistake" story about hiring a general coach when she needed a branding expert. How did she discover that to be a mistake? How and why did she end up repeating the mistake? How did she finally put that mistake behind her, never to be repeated again?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• How do you define “confrontation”?? — compared to assertiveness?
• “I’m an expert in confrontation.”
• Why were you comfortable with confrontation? Family environment?
• Lessons learned from your story when hiring a partner??
• “What to do when you don’t know what to do”
• People are scared about speaking up…
• A mistake to tell people to speak up without working to create the environment that invites it? Like in your family…
• How to be more direct, especially when there’s a power dynamic?
• Mistakes people make when being “confronted” — coaching people to be a better receiver of confrontation?
• One of the best ways to give feedback that’s non threatening?
• How do you start a conversation if you don’t know what to say?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Oops -- fixed the audio gap that was there early in the episode. My most recent mistake!!

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake111

My guest for Episode #111 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Merit Kahn, a sales expert, Certified Emotional Intelligence Expert, business speaker, and CEO of her training company, SELLect Sales Development. She has coached & trained entrepreneurs and sales teams form more than 20 years and she's also a stand up comedian.

In today's episode, Merit shares her “favorite mistake” story about taking the wrong approach with a sales prospect earlier in her career. Why was Merit focused on a particular sales technique, in a way that had her disconnected from the moment. What happened and what did she learn from the experience?

We talk about that and other topics including:

• Being a stand up comedian – can’t be a low-confidence person, right?
• Reading the room, in sales or comedy?
• Bombing on stage? What does that teach you?
• What is the Open for Business framework?
• Common sales mistakes?
• Your website says “WARNING: Our programs are not a perfect match for everyone.” — why is that important to say?
• The SELLect Sales System — Stop selling and start being selected
• She dated a well-known comedic actor… listen to find out who!

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Singer, recording artist, podcast host, radio host, and more...

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake26

Please subscribe, rate, and review via Apple Podcasts or Podchaser! We also have a new Facebook page for the podcast.

Joining me for Episode #26 is Yaya Diamond, a professional singer, recording artist, podcast host and (now) radio host. She's very dynamic and I've enjoyed our conversations very much (she's having me on her podcast as a guest shortly, something we've already recorded). You can tell why she is a professional entertainer and I am not :-)

Yaya says that her "favorite mistake" is not trusting her own abilities and talents, which has sometimes held her back, as we'll discuss. Yaya has worked to stop repeating this mistake, using a "5-4-3-2-1" method that she learned that helps her avoid overthinking situations. We talk about making mistakes on stage as a performer (and I share a personal mistake that I made as a member of the Northwestern University Marching Band).

I think you'll enjoy the conversation, as I did.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page

In this captivating episode, #227 of the 'My Favorite Mistake' podcast, host Mark Graban is joined by the transformational speaker and coach, Bobbi Kahler.

From a flourishing career in personal development spanning over two decades to catalyzing growth in more than 3000 individuals, Bobbi stands as a beacon of self-improvement and human thriving. Through her popular podcast, The Unyielded Show: Thriving No Matter What, Bobbi explores the core elements that breed a winner's mindset and a rewarding life. In this insightful conversation, she reveals the profundity of her learnings gathered from a mishap during the initial phase of her speaking career.

She is the author of Travels of the Heart: Developing Your Inner Leader, and she was a contributing author to the Amazon and NY Times best-selling book, Masters of Success.

Delving deeper into the episode, we unfold a valuable lesson, a testament to the idea that our ways of confronting errors can greatly shape our path to success. On a day of staff training at a credit union, Bobbi was given the opportunity to conduct two 90-minute sessions. The two experiences stood in stark contrast. The first was well received with audience engagement validating Bobbi's skills as a facilitator. However, it was the second one, with less participation and ending early, that became a tipping point in redefining Bobbi's approach to public speaking.

Why did she label this as her mistake instead of blaming the audience or the circumstances? And how did she adjust when facing similar situations in the future?

Questions and Topics:

• Didn’t have a backup plan?
• Did you run into the same situation again?
• What are some of the common roadblocks that keep people from moving forward – how do we get unstuck?
• How to get past the fear of mistakes?
• PQ – “Positive Intelligence”
• What’s the worst that could happen? An exaggerated sense of that?
• Why do we need to “help shine a light on the value of mistakes?” And how can we do that?
• Why do you believe that there is always a way forward?
• Pfeffer / Sutton – “knowing-doing gap” book

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Director of Sales & Marketing, Garuda Promo and Branding Solutions.

Show notes and links: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake55

My guest for Episode #55 of “the My Favorite Mistake” podcast is Swire Ho, Director of Sales & Marketing, Garuda Promo and Branding Solutions. He is also an Ambassador for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Swire immigrated to Los Angeles in 1996. He trained as a sound engineer, working at recording studios and entertainment agencies before starting his own firm, Hellman Production, Inc, 2003 in Los Angeles.

Swire and his team successfully produced attractive, personalized DVD and CD cases and custom merchandise like T-shirts, earning a Score award in 2009, for small business success. His business eventually grew so popular, he sold it in 2013 to focus exclusively on the promotional product industry.

Swire is a proud SFG1 certified kettlebell instructor from #StrongFirst. He finds calmness through yoga, organic gardening, and enjoys being in nature.

Today, we talk about Swire's “favorite mistake” and topics and questions including:

• How did he work to be a better listener and to not get defensive when disagreeing with clients?
• How and why is he “constantly working on this”?
• How did pivot during 2020 and the pandemic to branded masks and other products?
• What are some common marketing and promotions mistakes?
• Why don't you have to spend money to impress somebody?
• Other social profiles: Instagram Facebook Twitter

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Coach, author, and speaker

Show notes and links: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake106

My guest for Episode #106 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Scott Ballard, a coach, speaker, and author, based in Portland, Oregon. His company is Confidence Coach LLC.

From his bio, Scott “has used that superpower [of encouragement] to help create insight and breakthroughs for hundreds of people to take their life and their business to the next level. [Scott] can do this because his dyslexia blinded him from seeing his own genius for many years, so he became brilliant at seeing the genius superpower in others.”

In today's episode, Scott shares his “favorite mistake” story about feeling shamed for having dyslexia. How did he learn that it wasn’t shameful? How did he decide to share his dyslexia with people?

We talk about that and other topics including:

• Joking about “being dyslexic” in a meeting — inappropriate?
• Learning from business failures, wife’s encouragement
• “Fail fast”
• New business – learned not everybody is an ideal client
• Coaching dyslexic leaders?

Find Scott and his firm on social media:

• LinkedIn

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Consultant, entrepreneur, engineer, attorney, Black Belt

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake6

Joining me for Episode #6 is Brenda Batista, the president of her firm Inspiring Company Culture. She's an engineer and an attorney — she's a management consultant and an entrepreneur. And, today, she's sharing her “favorite mistake” from her time as a consultant.

Brenda shares a story about giving a factual piece of information to a client… and why the way she delivered the message was a mistake that created many learning opportunities on many levels. We'll also talk about how she helps leaders create inspiring company cultures and high performing teams.

Brenda is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, Project Management Professional, and 5 Voices System certified trainer. Over the past 25 years, she has been at the helm of many high performing teams dedicated to performance improvement. Brenda has managed complex multi-million dollar client accounts, created computer simulations to predict business performance, and established a scalable consulting methodology for start-ups and established businesses.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Consultant, coach, speaker, CEO

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake7

My guest for Episode #7 is Matt Granados, the cofounder of LifePulse, Inc., a consulting, coaching, and speaking organization. He is also the author of the recently-released book, Motivate The Unmotivated: The Proven System for Sustainable Motivation. He and his wife also have a podcast called REALationship.

Today, Matt shares some examples of similar mistakes from his professional life and his personal life — being the last to know about something major or not paying attention to the things that matter. We also talk about common mistakes that are made when leaders try to motivate others in the workplace.

Visit his website for a special offer for podcast listeners.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Show notes, video, and more: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake127

My guest for Episode #127 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Evans Kerrigan, Co-Founder & CEO of the firm Integris Performance Advisors.

Evans is the co-author, with Brett Cooper, of the book Solving the People Problem: Essential Skills You Need to Lead and Succeed in Today’s Workplace.

In today's episode, Evans tells his “favorite mistake” story from some client work that took place more than 20 years ago. The client was happy with the work, but he thought they “left a lot on the table” because ideas from staff were being overridden or changed by leadership. When did it click that there was a problem? What adjustments did he make?

We talk about that story and other topics including:

• Happy with the results, but what’s sustainable? What builds a culture? Not blaming the people.
• Common leadership mistakes that you see?
• Tell us about the book
• It’s not a people problem… but we have friction in communication, etc.
• How to address setting the groundwork for listening?
• The book's website
• EQ survey — what’s my DISC EQ? - Use access code "favorite" to get it for free
• Lean podcast episode link

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Health insurance advisor, physician, and surgeon

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake79

My guest for Episode #79 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Noor Ali, a physician from Bangladesh who struggled to find a job here in the U.S. She describes herself as a “passionate and strong-willed mother, wife, doctor, researcher, entrepreneur, and champion of women in science who want it all.”

In this episode, she'll talk about her resume writing mistakes and she'll talk about the role she has embraced as a health insurance advisor here in the U.S. Dr. Ali will talk about mistakes that entrepreneurs and other people make when it comes to health insurance. We'll also discuss opportunities for improvement in the U.S. health system and her views on those who say it's a mistake to "want it all" as a professional woman.

• Find Dr. Ali on Social Media: LinkedIn Twitter Instagram YouTube Facebook

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake138

My guest for Episode #138 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is J.A. Adande. He is the director of sports journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. He is also the graduate journalism Sports Media Specialization leader.

J.A. earned his undergraduate degree in journalism from Medill in 1992. During his time in school at Northwestern, he was sports editor of The Daily Northwestern, the student newspaper.

J.A. has worked in sports media for over two and a half decades, including multiple roles at ESPN. He continues to appear on ESPN’s “Around The Horn,” where he has been a panelist since the show’s beginning in 2002.

He also previously worked for 10 years as a sports columnist at the Los Angeles Times, in addition to jobs at The Washington Post and Chicago Sun-Times.

In today's episode, J.A. shares his “favorite mistake” story about applying for a job, to be a sports columnist in Philadelphia, which probably would have been a failure. Why was it a mistake to want that job, then? How would the newspaper have determined if he was a success or a failure? How would that be determined today in the internet age?

We also talk about questions and topics including:

• Angry letters to the editor might not be a bad thing if that means people are reading?
• Coaching students about handling or bracing for hate mail or flat out hate?
• Tell us about getting into TV – did that ever feel like a mistake? When that was new to you?
• Learning to give “hot takes”?
• Mistakes in reporting — pressure to be first vs. being correct?
• The “Medill F”? A punishment for mistakes like spelling a name wrong… is this a very real practice? A mistake you only make once?
• Greg Cote’s story in a bonus episode about being lied to by an interview subject
• Another mistake story from J.A. — getting a soccer coach's first name wrong in a profile

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode page with transcript, video, and more

My guest for Episode #226 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Eli Joseph. He is an author, educator, and 3-time TEDx speaker who currently serves as a faculty member at Columbia University, New York University, and UCLA.

Using rejection to fuel his professional achievements, Dr. Joseph earned his bachelor’s degree at the age of 20, a master’s degree at the age of 21, and earned a doctorate degree at Felician University while teaching at Columbia University at the age of 24, and became a Quest Diagnostics business partner at the age of 25.

He’s the author of the book, The Perfect Rejection Resume: A Reader’s Guide to Building a Career Through Failure (February 22, 2022).

In this episode, Eli shares his favorite mistake story about being rejected for an internship with JP Morgan Chase in 2015. How did this inspire him to write a book on rejection resumes? Why share rejections publicly? We discuss all of that and more.

Questions and Topics:

• So that “favorite mistake” rejection is on your rejection resume??
• What inspired you to write the book on rejection resumes?
• Why share failures or rejections publicly?
• What does it mean to get vaccinated by failure?
• Failures, rejections, mistakes — get back on direction or a new direction??
• Gianis Antetokounmpo — failure question — link to the video
• Book: “addressing the lessons learned from our failures”?
• How to make sure we really learn?
• Why do we love to blame others?
• Time management — future book, mistakes around that?

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Consultant, founder and managing partner of Parrish Partners... MIT Leaders for Global Operations alum.

Show Notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake32

Please subscribe, rate, and review via Apple Podcasts or Podchaser!

Click here to enter to win a free “My Favorite Mistake” coffee mug!

Joining me for Episode #32 is Michele Parrish. She is a consultant and she is founder and managing partner of the firm Parrish Partners. Michele was previously an executive at Intel and one thing we share in common is that we're both graduates of the MIT Leaders for Global Operations Program.

In today's episode, Michele tells a story related to advising a CEO who called her in with a very particular problem in mind. Michele learned about the need to push back and to not be shy about disagreeing with the client about what the problem really might be. We'll talk about the importance of “emotional intelligence” (something she teaches about), systems thinking, and the need to slow down to pause and reflect.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Episode Page with video, transcript, and more

My guest for Episode #228 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Marc Lesser.

He is the CEO of ZBA Associates, an executive development and leadership consulting company – and he’s a Zen teacher and coach. He founded and was CEO of three highly successful companies and has an MBA from New York University. Prior to his business and coaching career, he was a resident of the San Francisco Zen Center for ten years, and director of Tassajara (Tassa-hara), Zen Mountain Center, the first Zen monastery in the Western world.

Marc helped develop the world-renowned Search Inside Yourself program within Google – a mindfulness-based emotional intelligence training for leaders which teaches the art of integrating mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and business savvy for creating great corporate cultures and a better world.

Marc’s most recent book is Finding Clarity: How Compassionate Accountability Builds Vibrant Relationships. His podcast is called “Zen Bones: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times.”

Having spent a decade steeped in the teachings of Zen, Mark highlights his experiences, from living the life of a monk to taking over as the director for Tassahara Zen Mountain Center. But, the shift from Zen life to the corporate world was not seamless. Despite successfully launching a publishing company, Mark shares his ‘favorite mistake' of avoiding difficult conversations that led to his departure from the company he built from scratch. Is it a mistake to refer to him as a “former monk”?

Questions and Topics:

• Using a better relationship to small mistakes as a way to prevent big catastrophes?
• What causes the fear of conflict?? What exactly are we afraid of?
• What advice would you give your younger self about that? Courage? Safety? 
• Avoiding a repeat of that mistake at the next company? 
• How do you choose which difficult conversations to address?
• The risk or danger of deciding to avoid a difficult conversation or not?
• R.D. Lang – “The Politics of Experience” book
• Buddhism and the view on mistakes?
• “Buddhists don’t sweat mistakes”??

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Author of the new book Fearlessly Made You: Surviving and Thriving in a Perfectly Imperfect Life.

Show notes: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake42

My guest for Episode #42 is Kristie Tobias, author of the new book Fearlessly Made You: Surviving and Thriving in a Perfectly Imperfect Life. You can learn more about Kristie and the book via the book's website.

Kristie Tobias is a Consultant with Huron Consulting Group, Coach, National Speaker and she is now, as of this week, a published author with over 15 years of consulting and leadership experience.. She has consulted over 30 organizations on topics focused on change management and leadership, employee engagement, leadership development, business optimization, and financial improvement.

Content warning: Kristie does mention instances of being abused in her past. We do not discuss this in detail, but the subject matter might be alarming to some listeners.

In the episode, Kristie shares a story about her favorite mistake, earlier in her consulting career, when she was removed from her role working with healthcare C-suite executives. Kristie reflects and shares that she" wasn't honest with herself about the internal work that needed to be done to improve the client" and she "took for granted" that she needed to grow, learn, and move relationships deeper than the surface.

She says she can "now look back and laugh" because she has come a long way. We also talk about her book, what a "perfectly imperfect life" means (from the subtitle of her book) and what it means to be a better version of oneself.

Here is an article about Kristie using exercise as a way to overcome PTSD.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

NFL athlete, American Ninja Warrior, and entrepreneur.

Show notes and more: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake97

My guest for Episode #97 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Anthony Trucks, a foster kid turned NFL athlete. This is the first time I’ve interviewed somebody who was on American Ninja Warrior.

Anthony is the author of the new book, released this week, titled Identity Shift: Upgrade How You Operate to Elevate Your Life. Visit the show notes page for a chance to enter to win a copy of the book!

Anthony's also an international speaker, host of the Aww Shift and Shift Starter podcasts, author and founder of Identity Shift coaching. He’s a serial entrepreneur with one serious super power: Making Shift Happen, no matter what, by accessing the power of identity.

In today's episode, Anthony shares his “favorite mistake” story about the first business he started after the NFL, a personal training business with a huge lease in the economic downturn of 2009. How and why did he seek out help and why was “being forced to figure it out” his favorite mistake?

Other topics and questions:

• “When you drop your ego, past mistakes, flaws, and fear of failure, you can find your internal fire to catapult you into the life that you want and deserve.”EGO – Everybody’s Greatest Obstacle
• Fear of failure? —> How did you view the possibility of making mistakes on the field as a football player?
• 6 levels of failure – above or below the learning line“Version failure” – learns from the mistake “Predictable failure” – knowing we can’t be perfect
• What is identity? — we have different identities at different timesIt’s who we are when we’re not thinking about who we are
• What does it mean that your survey says I'm a “slow dreamer”?
• How did you find you new identity after your NFL career ended suddenly? Identity shift?
• Find Anthony on
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support