My Favorite Mistake: Business Lessons from Failures and Success

West Point Graduate Becky Margiotta Thought She Would Get an A for Effort Instead of Managing Outcomes

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
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CEO Ian Small Was Told He ”Needs to Learn to Listen Better”

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?
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Therapist Emily Learing’s Child Care Program Mistake Could Have Been Worse, Opened New Possibilities

Mental Health Professional, Children's Book Author, and more
My guest for Episode #177 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Emily Learing, LMFT, RPT-S. She is a mental health professional based in South Dakota, at her practice called Encompass Mental Health.
Episode page with links, video, transcript, and more
Emily has an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy and a BS in Human Development and Family Studies. She’s a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Registered Play Therapist. She has a blog called Disciplined Children.
Emily is the author of a fantastic children’s book: Henry Knows Best!: A Story About Learning From Mistakes and Listening to Others. I read it and found important lessons and reminders for me as an adult.
In this episode, Emily tells her favorite mistake story about setting up a child care center that was intended to attend to mental health needs — but the phone rang off the hook with people wanting and needing typical day care services. Why did she close the door to that program and how did that open the door to other possibilities? How did Emily manage to keep this in the realm of a small mistake that wasn't catastrophically expensive?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Tell us what inspired you to write the book? Again, the title is Henry Knows Best!: A Story About Learning From Mistakes and Listening to Others
Oppositional Defiance Disorder vs just liking to say no?
How many kids are like Henry?
The consequences of always knowing best – damaged relationships?
Overconfidence vs. narcissism
“If you think you need help, you probably need help…”
Some of my previous guests have admitted that they didn’t listen to experts when they should have — that they knew best… Congressman Will Hurd and Jim McCann founder of 1-800-FLOWERS.
You say “I’m not a perfect person… I make mistakes… I don’t expect perfection… that’s not reality” — how does admitting that help clients, how does it help you work with clients?
Does it help others open up to you?
Having to live the values you’re stating about not being perfect…
Being a play therapist
On your blog, you write about games that can be used to help kids with ADHD develop their attention spans. Tell us about that…
Tell us more about the podcast… “The Informed Parent” (coming soon)
A BONUS favorite mistake from Emily
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Canadian Journalist & Author Mike Ulmer Learned From a Conflict With a Colleague

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”
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Marine LTC Janet Polach Lost Her Temper in a Corporate Meeting — It Was a Bad Fit

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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?
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Six Sigma Black Belt Jonathon Andell Gloated About Solving a Quality Problem

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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
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Teresa de Grosbois: Her Failed Africa Charity Opened Unexpected Doors

Author of "Mass Influence"
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My guest for Episode #173 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Teresa de Grosbois. She is the Founder of the Evolutionary Business Council, an International Speaker and the #1 International Bestselling author of Mass Influence: The Habits of the Highly Influential, which is now a best seller in seven countries.
You can download a complimentary digital version of the book here.
A 4X International Bestselling Author, Teresa teaches marketing courses around the globe to business leaders and entrepreneurs on how to create massively successful word of mouth campaigns.
As the Chair of the Evolutionary Business Council, Teresa leads an International, Invitation-Only Council of Speakers and Influencers dedicated to teaching the principles of success.
In this episode, Teresa tells her favorite mistake story about creating a non-profit organization in Sudan that failed. Why did she “quickly realize this wasn't right”? What did she learn from this and how did that experience in Africa lead to the unexpected opening of doors to better opportunities?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
How did you create 3 best sellers in 8 months?
What if you’re reaching out to influencers and not getting a response?
From the book the book – habits and mistakes people make in trying to influence others
Do aspiring influencers mistake self promotion and bragging?
Should spend more time on building relationships with other influencers?
Never talk about yourself vs. always talking about yourself?
“Influencer” (like social media) vs true influence?
A mistake to think you’re trying to reach “everyone”? Or is “all business leaders at all levels” even too broad to be effective?
What’s the difference between “practicing at business” vs. being “aligned with your passion”?
How common is the mistake of “focusing on how you make money” instead of “the service that you want to bring to others”?
Big mistake — not choosing who you want to play with based on fully respecting that person?
Tell me about the Evolutionary Business Council…
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Jim McCann’s Favorite Mistake in Buying the 1-800-FLOWERS Phone Number

Founder / Chairman of 1-800-FLOWERS
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My guest for Episode #172 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Jim McCann, the founder and chairman of 1-800-FLOWERS, one of the first companies to pioneer and popularize the use of both toll-free telephone numbers and Web sites to sell goods and services directly to consumers.
Jim is a highly successful entrepreneur, public speaker and published author with titles including Talk is (Not!) Cheap: The Art of Conversation Leadership) — his passion is helping people deliver smiles. Jim’s belief in the universal need for social connections and interaction led to his founding of 1-800-FLOWERS, which he has grown into the world’s leading Florist and Gift Shop and Celebrations.com, a leading website for expert party planning content and advice.
In this episode, Jim shares his “favorite mistake” story that involves what was otherwise a very good decision — acquiring the 1-800-FLOWERS telephone number. But what was the mistake involved in buying the company that had the number assigned to it? Why couldn't he just buy the number? What mistake led to Jim taking on millions of dollars of debt from that company? How did Jim learn and apply the lesson that “being cheap” and not relying on experts can cause a lot of problems?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Learning to not repeat that mistake around due diligence?
Finding the balance between saying mistakes are OK without just wildly trying things
What the FedEx founder, Fred Smith, said to Jim that turned out to be very incorrect about shipping flowers
Is it a mistake to spend too much time reflecting on mistakes?
Lessons from 10-step programs, remove the shame or embarrassment from mistakes
You were approached to be one of the first companies or bosses featured “Undercover Boss” — Turned it down 3 times — was that a mistake?
Learning about the business? Advice for other leaders about doing this without going undercover?
“A lot of it comes down to culture and leadership”
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Executive Nick Jonsson Hid Behind a Façade of Success, Didn’t Ask for Help

Author of Executive Loneliness
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
My guest for Episode #171 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Nick Jonsson, joining us from Singapore.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains a brief mention of a death by suicide. If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you're having suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline).
Nick is the co-founder and Managing Director of one of Asia's premier networking organizations, Executives' Global Network (EGN) Singapore — a caring peer group community providing hundreds of executives a safe haven to share their challenges, receive support, and learn from each other.
His passion for mental health awareness through his very lived life experiences paved the way for Nick to author his first #1 international bestselling book, published in April 2021— Executive Loneliness: The 5 Pathways to Overcoming Isolation, Stress, Anxiety and Depression in the Modern Business World.
In adjunct to his book, Nick has also created a more easily accessible and less formal online community, where executives and business leaders can connect, learn about and reduce the risk of burnout and isolation, with www.Leaders-Anonymous.com.
In this episode, Nick shares his “favorite mistake” story about keeping emotions in — hiding behind a facade of success and waiting too long to ask for help. Why did he struggle with alcoholism and depression, even as he became more successful in his career? What finally prompted him to look for help? What did he learn from these experiences and how has it inspired him to help others?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
“It’s lonely at the top” — How is executive loneliness different to everyday loneliness that any of us may experience?
Loneliness in that feeling of loneliness? Executives' Global Network (EGN) Singapore — “Confidential peer networks” — available in the US and other places
Difficult for execs to ask for help before hitting rock bottom?
“Smiling depression”
“Insecure overachievers” — inner insecurity
His LinkedIn post that went viral
Impact of Covid times? 2019 - 30% 2020 - “had doubled to 59% saying there was executive loneliness”
Difference - introverts vs. extroverts?
Introverts — more comfortable in isolation doesn’t mean it’s good for us
Are there any cultural challenges when it comes to talking about executive loneliness? Are some countries where E.L. is a bigger problem, or countries where it’s not addressed?
If I was an Executive experiencing loneliness, or I was a friend or family member of someone who I suspect might be experiencing executive loneliness, what’s an easy ‘next step’ for me to take?
How might we bring this up if somebody seems like they need help?
How might we recognize signs of E.L. in ourselves or others?
Tell us about the networks — EGN and Leaders-Anonymous are different
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Erin Joy Averted a Huge Mistake By Making a Pandemic Pivot

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My guest for Episode #169 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Erin Joy.
As the founder and executive consultant behind Erin Joy Business Coaching & Consulting, Erin uses over 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship, roundtable facilitation, business strategy, and executive coaching to help fellow female business owners launch, propel, and grow their companies.
Erin has hosted over 300 roundtables, 200 group coaching calls, 70 live events, and 1000 online events, and the company continues to serve over 60 clients.
Erin is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Business Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology to enhance her ability to connect with and support women in business on both a professional and emotional level.
She is also the host of a new radio show and PODCAST: “Erin Joy Talks Business.” She has released an anthology of advice from women business owners titled The Anatomy of Accomplishment: Your Guide to Bigger, Better, Bolder Business Results.
In this episode, Erin shares her “favorite mistake” story about a “huge mistake” that she avoided by making a pivot before it was too late. She was looking to franchise the roundtable side of her business — how did she discover this would have been a “heavy lift” (and an expensive one at that)? How did she pivot and what happened?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
What does it mean to be a “business psychologist?”
Business is about making predictions… and testing… you have 25-year plan? How specific are the details of that plan? Is there wiggle room?
What can we do to be more resilient and better adjust to what life and business throws at us?
“Breakdowns lead to breakthroughs”
Video you posted in 2021 — “A time to give up control” — when is that necessary for a business leader and how can they do that?
You work mainly with women leaders and entrepreneurs — are there mistakes you help them avoid in career transitions? Or setting them up to learn from them?
What do we need to be doing to build the next generation of women as leaders?
Tell us about the podcast — what topics do you cover? What sort of guests do you have?
Find Erin on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube
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