My Favorite Mistake: Business Lessons from Failures and Success

My guest for Episode #282 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Christine “Chris” King, who defied the odds as a single mother in the 1970s, rising to become the world's first female CEO in the semiconductor industry. Armed with degrees in electrical engineering, Chris climbed the ranks at IBM before leading billion-dollar companies like AMI Semiconductor, Standard Microsystems, and QLogic Corporation. Episode page with video, transcript, and more Her leadership extended across engineering, sales, and business management, and she even founded Expedition Electronics. Beyond technology, Chris is also a champion equestrian and dairy farmer. Her incredible journey is captured in Breaking Through the Silicon Ceiling. In today's episode, Chris reveals how an initial mistake—pursuing electrical engineering to impress someone—unexpectedly launched her into a successful engineering and leadership career. Chris and Mark discuss the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field, the importance of persistence, and her approach to leading successful business turnarounds. We also touch on her experiences as a champion equestrian and a dairy farmer, drawing parallels between problem-solving in agriculture and business. Throughout the conversation, Chris emphasizes the value of learning from mistakes, building confidence, and leveraging opportunities for growth, offering listeners practical leadership insights and inspiration. Questions and Topics: What would you say is your favorite mistake? Did the relationship with the guy who inspired you to study engineering work out? As you went through your engineering education, did you have doubts? Did it feel like a mistake at first? Why would a caseworker be resistant to letting you attend college? Did you have to pitch your plan for going to college? How did you make it work financially? What was it like being the first or only woman on teams early in your career? When did you start transitioning from technical roles to leadership roles, and did you aspire to become a CEO? How did the team you managed react to having a female boss? What challenges did you face with your superiors as you advanced? How did you feel about becoming a CEO for the first time, especially on 9/11? Did the events of 9/11 affect your business? What lessons did you learn from leading turnarounds, and how did you diagnose the issues? Did you encounter similar challenges during other turnarounds, like the one during the 2008 financial crisis? How did media attention around being the first female CEO in semiconductors affect you? Who were some CEOs that you admired or learned from? What are the three things any successful businessperson needs? What three things do people not need to succeed in business? How many women have followed your path in the semiconductor industry? What lessons did you learn from dairy farming? What lessons did you learn from equestrian competitions? How do you see the parallels between leading a team and managing livestock or horses? How do you approach creating a culture of learning from mistakes in leadership? What inspired you to write your book, Breaking Through the Silicon Ceiling? How do you reach the audience you want with your book, and what creative efforts have you made for that? Who is the audience you’re hoping to inspire with your story? What advice would you give for fostering interest in STEM among young women?

In this special bonus episode of My Favorite Mistake, Mark Graban sits down with Senator Stephanie Pitcher, a criminal defense attorney (at Parker & McConkie in Utah) and Utah state senator, to discuss a modern campaign tactic that’s frustrating voters nationwide: political text messages. Senator Pitcher provides an insider’s view on why candidates rely on these texts to build name recognition, the rules governing them, and how campaigns respond (or sometimes don’t) to requests to “STOP.” Mark and Stephanie dive into questions many of us have wondered: Is anyone really reading our responses to campaign texts? Are these messages effective, or do they risk driving away potential voters? Senator Pitcher shares her personal experiences with both sending and receiving political texts, the realities of balancing voter outreach with respect for privacy, and the challenge of navigating the fine line between visibility and annoyance. For those curious about how campaign data is shared and why unsubscribing doesn’t always work as intended, Stephanie explains the often complex web of candidate PACs, third-party vendors, and data-sharing that keeps these messages coming. She also discusses her plans to explore more sophisticated social media advertising, leaving listeners with a thought-provoking view on the future of campaign outreach. Tune in to hear a behind-the-scenes look at campaign messaging from a seasoned state senator’s perspective!

My guest for Episode #281 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Edward Feinberg, a distinguished expert in restorative dentistry who has dedicated over 40 years to advancing dental care. Dr. Feinberg graduated from Tufts University, was trained by his father, Dr. Elliot Feinberg, a pioneer in full coverage restorative dentistry, and practiced in Scarsdale, New York, before moving to Arizona, where he now practices. Episode page with video, transcript, and more He is the Director of ONWARD, an online teaching organization for full coverage restorative dentistry, where he has created over 30 courses and provides a wealth of educational resources. A nationally recognized lecturer and author, Dr. Feinberg has contributed significantly to dental literature, including his essay collection, "Open Wide: Essays on Challenges in Dentistry to Achieve Excellence." He also serves on editorial boards and councils for various dental associations and has been honored with numerous awards for his contributions to the field. In this episode, Ed shares insights from over 40 years in the field and discusses his unique approach to saving teeth, which contrasts with the widespread practice of extracting teeth and opting for implants. Dr. Feinberg’s "favorite mistake" involved a crown falling off a colleague’s tooth—a rare but impactful error. Through this experience, he reinforced his belief in trial-based dentistry and using precise techniques to ensure long-lasting dental solutions. Dr. Feinberg advocates for saving teeth first, using crowns and bridges when appropriate, and stresses that implants should only be used when absolutely necessary. The conversation also touches on the overuse of implants in modern dentistry, the importance of prevention, and learning from mistakes to improve patient care. Questions and Topics: What would you say is your favorite mistake? Was that the first time a crown had fallen off, or was it just a rare occurrence? Were you able to implement any checks or mistake-proofing to prevent this from happening again? Can you explain the difference between focusing on the tooth structure above the gum versus below the gum? How do you use temporary crowns, and why do some fall out while others don’t? Do you believe dental education is keeping up with advancements in restorative techniques? What are your thoughts on the current trends in implant dentistry? Do you think a lot of dentists are making mistakes with implants, and why? Are there preventive or mistake-proofing methods you apply in your practice to avoid common dental issues? Why do you think patients typically don’t seek second opinions in dentistry, unlike in medicine? Does the overuse of implants lead to malpractice cases or trouble with insurance? Why are patients quick to judge dentists based on superficial factors rather than their actual dental work? What are your thoughts on veneers—are they purely cosmetic, and when are they appropriate? How can dentists better manage biomechanical stress when performing implant procedures? Are there concerns about the future reputation of dentistry due to inappropriate practices? What advice would you give to patients about prevention and the importance of regular dental hygiene visits? Key Topics Discussed: Dr. Feinberg’s favorite mistake: A crown falling off a colleague’s tooth and the lessons he learned about precision and correcting errors. Restorative dentistry techniques: Focusing on the root structure below the gum for crown and bridgework to ensure long-lasting results. The overuse of implants: Dr. Feinberg discusses the inappropriate use of implants and his preference for saving teeth when possible. Dental education: Concerns that dental schools are not teaching the best restorative methods and the influence of economic pressures on young dentists. Precision attachments: A less common, effective alternative to implants that can save teeth, especially for complex cases. Patient care and trust: How patients often judge dentists on superficial factors and the importance of second opinions in dental treatment. Preventive care: The importance of regular hygiene visits to prevent periodontal bone loss, which is crucial for long-term dental health.

My guest for Episode #280 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Steve Pereira. He has spent over two decades improving the flow of work across organizations. He’s worked through tech support, IT management, platform and infrastructure engineering, product management, and as a founding CTO for enterprise SaaS. Episode page with video, transcript, and more He serves as CEO of Visible Consulting, as COO to the Value Stream Management Consortium, Chair of the OASIS VSM Interoperability technical committee, and co-founder of the Flow Collective to bring flow-focused professionals together. Since 2017, he has been developing and facilitating Flow Engineering. He is the co-author of Flow Engineering: From Value Stream Mapping to Effective Action - his co-author, Andrew Davis, was a guest here recently. Steve and Andrew also joined me for an episode of "Lean Blog Interviews." In this episode, Steve shares his journey in improving workflows and the lessons learned from his favorite mistake. Steve recounts how, in a previous role as a developer, he assumed that his own needs mirrored those of other developers, leading him to spend significant time creating a solution without gathering proper feedback. This isolated approach resulted in wasted time and an ineffective outcome. Through this mistake, Steve realized the importance of customer validation and iterative development, key principles he now applies in his work. We also explored the concept of "failure debt," the role of psychological safety in fostering learning from mistakes, and how flow engineering can transform collaborative workflows. Questions and Topics: What would you say is your favorite mistake? How did things play out with that mistake in your career? How many other developers were you working with on this task? When did you realize the project wasn't working, and how did you adjust? How did you eventually start to learn from these mistakes? When did these lessons become more clear to you in your career? Can you elaborate on how sharing mistakes publicly helped lessen the sting over time? How would you define 'flow engineering' for someone outside of software development? How do you think mistakes, bugs, or defects affect flow? Do speed and quality go hand in hand? What are your thoughts on how leaders can foster psychological safety and a learning culture where mistakes are embraced? What is 'failure debt' and how can organizations address it? Did the writing process for Flow Engineering reflect some of these lessons on customer feedback and iteration? Key Topics: Steve's favorite mistake of assuming his own needs were the same as other developers, leading to wasted time. Importance of customer feedback and validation in technical projects. The Abilene Paradox and how it relates to satisfying multiple stakeholders poorly. Learning from mistakes over time, especially in leadership roles like CTO. The impact of public accountability in lessening the sting of failure. Definition and application of flow engineering to improve collaborative workflows. The relationship between mistakes and flow, and how speed and quality work together. The role of psychological safety in creating a learning organization. Concept of failure debt and how unaddressed failures can accumulate, leading to bigger issues. How Flow Engineering was written iteratively, applying lessons learned from Steve’s career.

My guest for Episode #279 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Cynthia Kay, author of Small Business Big Success: Proven Strategies to Beat the Odds and Grow a Great Business. Episode page with video, transcript, and more As a business owner for over 35 years, Cynthia Kay has attracted well-known and respected customers from the global Fortune 100 to smaller forward-thinking businesses. Along the way, she has developed practical, actionable strategies for businesses from starting up to stepping out.  As a former board chair of the National Small Business Association, she had advocated for small businesses and spoken to diverse audiences across the country. She has also mentored business owners as a member of the American Academy of Entrepreneurs.  In this episode, Cynthia shares her journey as a business owner and the lessons she's learned along the way. Cynthia discusses her favorite mistake—starting her business with a partner who wasn’t a good fit. Despite planning out the financial and operational aspects, she overlooked the importance of aligning on working styles, values, and approaches to growth. Over time, their differing perspectives, particularly around scaling the business and relinquishing control, created tension. This led to the eventual dissolution of the partnership. Through this experience, Cynthia developed the idea of a "business prenup," emphasizing the importance of thorough communication and alignment before entering into partnerships. She also offers advice on leadership, hiring, and building a resilient organization. Questions and Topics: What would you say is your favorite mistake? Why do you think the partnership didn’t work? How did things end up playing out with the partnership? How quickly did those differences show up, or did they creep in over time? How did you try to address those differences? What advice do you have for others considering partnerships? When you say the company had grown, how many employees did you have, or what was the scale of growth? Can you tell us about the moment when you realized the partnership wasn’t working? Can you talk about some of the common mistakes small business owners make? What advice would you give about building a resilient organization after setbacks or mistakes? How do you handle disagreements in your company, especially with different generations in the workplace? What are the key traits that lead to success in your company? How do you foster a culture where people feel comfortable admitting mistakes? What are your thoughts on creating a learning organization? What traits or behaviors do you look for in people who are successful at CK and Company? Where can people find more information about you and your book?

My guest for Episode #278 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Joe Davis, Managing Director and Senior Partner at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and author of The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone's Gain. Episode page with video, transcript, and more He’s had 40+ years of experience managing and leading teams. Joe has also served as chair of BCG’s Center for Inclusion and Equity and is a founding steering committee member of CEO Action for Racial Equity and the Southern Communities Initiative. In this episode, Joe shares his "favorite mistake" from early in his career at Procter & Gamble, where he learned the importance of giving timely feedback to his team. The conversation explores leadership generosity, vulnerability, and the value of creating trust within teams. Joe also discusses his work with BCG’s Center for Inclusion and Equity and addresses how leaders can navigate challenges in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Throughout, he offers insights on leadership growth, balancing results with empathy, and leading with authenticity. Questions and Topics: What is your favorite mistake? Should anyone be surprised by what they hear in an annual review? How do you handle dynamics of giving feedback to people older than you? How do you define generosity in leadership? Is leadership generosity the opposite of a transactional, quid pro quo approach? What’s your perspective on using terms like "problem" vs. "opportunity" when giving feedback? How do you define vulnerability as a leader, and do you think vulnerability is often mistaken for weakness? How can early-career consultants effectively advise older executives? What’s the role of the BCG Center for Inclusion and Equity, and why that specific terminology? How do you navigate pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within organizations? How do you address employees or leaders who criticize DEI efforts as promoting 'equal outcomes' over 'equal opportunities'? Is it possible to convince long-tenured leaders to move away from top-down, command-and-control leadership styles? How do you strike a balance between being vulnerable and still delivering results as a leader?

My guest for Episode #277 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Derek Leiner, MD, FACP. Episode page with video, transcript, and more Dr. Leiner trained in internal medicine at VCUHealth and the Richmond VA Medical Center. In 2018, he completed a year as Chief Resident for Quality and Safety, a national VA QI and safety training program then began as a staff physician at the Richmond VA Medical Center.   His career has included teaching, education leadership as an Associate Program Director for a medicine training program, and safety culture leadership.  Derek currently works as an academic hospitalist and is the physician champion for high reliability at the Richmond VA Medical Center.  He has a passion for humanism, collaborative care, and just culture. In this episode, we discuss a medical error involving a lumbar puncture procedure and the subsequent emotional impact on the healthcare professional involved. We explore the distinction between near misses and patient harm, highlighting the importance of learning from both. The concept of Just Culture is introduced, emphasizing a fair and supportive approach to addressing errors. We delve into High Reliability Organizations and their focus on creating a culture of safety. The significance of open communication with patients and the potential for positive outcomes is also addressed. Additionally, we examine the "second victim" phenomenon, where healthcare professionals experience emotional distress following errors. The episode concludes with practical strategies for recovering from mistakes and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement in healthcare. Questions and Topics: What is your favorite mistake? Is this a near miss or patient harm? Did I understand your definition of a near miss correctly? What was the reaction and response to the incident? Can you explain the concept of high reliability organizations and its relevance to healthcare? What was the patient's reaction to the disclosure? What is your reaction to Doctor Mayer's story? What are your thoughts on Just Culture? How do you coach others to recover from mistakes and combat negative self-talk? Key topics discussed: Lumbar puncture incident & its emotional impact Near miss vs. patient harm Just Culture & its implementation High reliability organizations (HROs) Patient disclosure and reactions Second victim phenomenon & support Recovering from mistakes & learning Systemic factors, human error & normalization of deviance Importance of continuous learning & improvement

My guest for Episode #276 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Tabatha Thorell, a multi-faceted entrepreneur with a background in fitness coaching, real estate investing, life coaching, and more. Tabatha, a native of rural Nebraska and mother of five, shares her inspiring journey of resilience and success across various industries. With nearly two decades of real estate experience alongside her husband, Tabatha has continually pushed herself to grow, all while helping others achieve their dreams through coaching and her podcast, What Went Wrong? Episode page with video and more We discuss Tabatha’s "favorite mistake," which involved investing in an expensive coaching program that didn’t align with her needs. Despite her initial frustration and the lack of a refund, she turned the experience into a valuable learning opportunity. In the episode, she explains how this mistake helped her develop a stronger sense of self-reliance and taught her the importance of finding value, even in failure. Tabatha also opens up about the challenges of balancing risk-taking with caution, how she approaches business coaching, and the lessons she's learned across her diverse career path. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a coach, or simply interested in stories of persistence, Tabatha’s insights are sure to inspire. Tune in for a candid conversation about learning from mistakes and turning setbacks into opportunities. Questions and Topics: What's your favorite mistake from your career journey? After your bad coaching experience, was it hard to trust another program? Do you ever consider disputing the charge with your credit card company in that situation? How do you find the balance between taking risks and not being overly cautious? What’s the best thing you've learned from transitioning across different careers? When do most people seek business coaching — before or during a crisis? How do you respond when people say they can’t afford coaching because of cash flow issues? Tell us about the origin and theme of your podcast, What Went Wrong?

My guest for Episode #275 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Brian Gottlieb, an inspiring entrepreneur and founder who transformed a modest $3,000 startup into a thriving group of multistate companies valued at nearly $200 million. Episode page with video, transcript, and more Brian’s companies have earned spots on the Inc. 5000 list for four consecutive years and have been recognized as one of Wisconsin's best workplaces. In addition to being a successful CEO, Brian is a Harvard Business School alum, angel investor, keynote speaker, and author of the new book Beyond the Hammer: A Fresh Approach to Leadership, Culture, and Building High-Performance Teams. In this episode, we discuss Brian’s journey from working odd jobs to founding his first home improvement company and scaling it to a multi-million dollar business. Brian shares his "favorite mistake"—not pursuing formal education after high school—and how that perceived mistake shaped his entrepreneurial path. We also dive into his approach to leadership, the importance of building a strong culture, and how empowering people can drive success. Brian also opens up about his time at Harvard Business School and how it helped him evolve as a leader. We discuss the challenges of balancing performance and culture, why hiring for culture fit matters, and how his philosophy of "building people before building a business" has been key to his success. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, or simply interested in learning from others' mistakes, Brian’s story offers valuable lessons on growth, leadership, and resilience. Tune in to hear Brian's insights on leadership, the value of mistakes, and the strategies that helped him build a $200M business from scratch. Questions and Topics: What would you say is your favorite mistake? How did your decision not to attend college shape your entrepreneurial path? Can you tell us more about your experience at Harvard Business School and how it impacted your leadership approach? What was your first business, and how did it evolve into a multi-state company? How did you manage learning on the job while growing a business from scratch? How did you approach building the culture and developing people within your organization? What do you think about companies that focus on culture in addition to performance? How do you balance hiring for performance versus culture fit, and how do you handle it when someone performs well but doesn’t fit the culture? Can you explain the concept of “beyond the hammer” and how it applies to leadership and business growth? How do you handle mistakes or performance issues in a way that supports growth and learning? What are your thoughts on the “stay interview” concept, and how does it help improve organizational culture? How did you empower your team to make decisions and learn from their mistakes? What is your perspective on micromanaging versus empowering employees? How do you maintain alignment within your company and prevent cultural clashes when bringing in experienced hires? How important is long-term thinking in leadership, especially when growing a business? What leadership lessons have you learned from Toyota, and how do you apply them in your business?

My guest for Episode #274 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Thom Mayer, the Medical Director for the NFL Players Association, Executive Vice President of Leadership for LogixHealth, Founder of BestPractices, Inc., and Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine at George Washington University and Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke University. Episode page with video, transcript, and more. He was recently nominated to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. USA Today named him one of the “100 Most Important People in the NFL.” Tom Peters, the internationally acclaimed leadership guru, referred to his work as “gaspworthy.” Thom's new book is Leadership Is Worthless...But Leading Is Priceless: What I Learned from 9/11, the NFL, and Ukraine. On September 11, 2001 Dr. Mayer served as the Command Physician at the Pentagon Rescue Operation and has served on 3 Defense Science Board Task Forces, advising the Secretary of Defense. Most recently, in 2022, Dr. Mayer helped lead a mobile team to Ukraine, treating almost 350 patients and training over 1,700 Ukrainian medical staffers. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of NFL player safety and the proactive strategies that have been implemented to protect athletes on and off the field. Dr. Thom Mayer shares his insights on the science behind the latest innovations in helmet technology, including the Guardian Cap, and the critical importance of having emergency physicians on the sidelines—a decision that has already saved lives. We also explore the profound difference between leadership as a concept and leading as a daily practice. Dr. Mayer discusses how finding and following your "deep joy" is essential for both personal fulfillment and professional success. He emphasizes the power of learning from mistakes and how failure is not just a part of success, but an integral component of it. Drawing from his experiences during 9/11 and his recent mission to Ukraine, Dr. Mayer offers powerful lessons on resilience, proactive leadership, and the value of engaging with the people who do the work. This episode is filled with wisdom on how to lead effectively in times of crisis and beyond. Questions and Topics: What are your thoughts on the new NFL kickoff procedures and their impact on player safety? Of all the things you’ve done in your career, what would you say is your favorite mistake? Can you give an example of a time when you deviated from your deep joy, and how do you find deep joy in your professional endeavors? Can you share an example of when you coached someone through a situation where they had deviated from their deep joy? Can you talk about your experience with Damar Hamlin and the importance of being proactive in NFL player safety? Can you share your experiences on 9/11 and the leadership lessons you learned from that day? How did you end up going to Ukraine in 2022, and what motivated you to take on that mission? What would you say to NFL fans who resist changes like the new kickoff rules or the use of the Guardian Cap?