

Three Paths Through Failure. A CEO, a counsellor, a consultant
14 snips Aug 20, 2025
A CEO, a counselor, and a consultant reveal how embracing failure can transform leadership. They discuss the irony of powerlessness being a superpower and share innovative strategies for fostering safety and empowerment in teams. Discover how redefining mistakes as 'learning moments' can change workplace culture. They emphasize the importance of humility and autonomy in leading change, flipping conventional wisdom on its head. This episode is packed with counterintuitive insights that challenge traditional management playbooks.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Turn Mistakes Into Learning Moments
- Remove the word "mistake" and replace it with "learning moment" to coax sharing and reduce fear.
- Celebrate early sharers publicly and reward participation to signal safety and build momentum.
Prove Safety Before You Implement
- Address personal and informational concerns before implementation to reduce resistance to change.
- Authentic behavior over time proves intent and creates psychological safety for people to engage.
Contest That Broke The Fear Barrier
- Gary created a year-long contest asking employees to submit learning moments with monthly winners and a grand prize trip.
- Initial entries were tiny, then praise and visibility turned brave early entrants into heroes and participation exploded.