My Favorite Mistake: Business Lessons from Failures and Success

CEO Ken Segel Talked Frankly to a Reporter When He Was a Congressional Aide

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

Wall Street Sales Team Leader John Saunders Tried Turning Employees Into Him

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

Dr. Mira Brancu’s Long Email About an Ethics Situation Was Not Well Received

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

Steve Gamlin Walked Away From His Radio DJ Job Without a New One Lined Up

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake144
My guest for Episode #144 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Steve Gamlin. He is a Speaker, Author, VisionBoarder and Humor Punch-Up Specialist. His company is Motivational Firewood.
What does Steve do? He teaches individuals and organizations…to SEE THEIR GOALS, understand WHY they want them… and build an Action Plan for achievement.
How? With a blend of back-to-basics positivity, engagement, humor… and Visualization.
He is the author of four books including, Table 7, Your Centerpiece Is on Fire!
In today's episode, Steve shares his “favorite mistake” story about walking away from his radio DJ job without having another one lined up. Why did he get so frustrated? What did he learn from the experience?
We also talk about questions and topics including:
What was the cause of the frustration??
What’s the story behind the name of your company, Motivational Firewood?
What are vision boards?? Life tool not just a work tool
Business mistakes
Humor mistakes – punch up work
Less obvious mistakes with trying to use humor
What happens when you bomb?
Speaking mistakes
Vision Board Learning Program
Free master class is a lead in to that
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Law Firm Founder Leslie Tayne Thought She Needed a Male Partner to Get Started

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

CEO & CPA Charles Read’s Hubris Led Him to Think He Could Do Everything

Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake142
My guest for Episode #142 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Charles Read, the president and CEO of the company GetPayroll. He is an MBA, CPA, U.S. Tax Court Practitioner (USTCP), Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC), Employment Tax Expert, IRS Watchdog, and Small Business Advocate.
Charles is an accomplished senior executive and entrepreneur with more than 50-years of financial leadership experience in a broad range of industries, as well as a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Charles is a decorated United States Marine Corps sergeant, a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. While in tye service, he was trained by IBM as a computer programmer and, later, a systems engineer.
He received his BBA cum laude and MBA from the University of North Texas. Charles is the author of books including The Payroll Book: A guide for small businesses & startups.
In today's episode, Charles shares his "favorite mistake" story about his admitted "hubris" that led him to think that he could "do it all" effectively in his company, including marketing. How did he learn this was a mistake? We talk about that and more.
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Many say the IRS is underfunded? Is that a mistake?
Where do you think hubris comes from?
The IRS makes mistakes?? What kinds of mistakes?
Other taxpayer mistakes?
Mistakes entrepreneurs and small businesses make related to payroll?
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Ellen Patnaude Assumed Her Past Experiences Would Buy Her a Seat at the Table

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

Ebonie Allard Invited 3 Friends to Join Her Business, Went Insolvent in 3 Months

Award-Winning International Coach
Episode page: https://www.markgraban.com/mistake140
My guest for Episode #140 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Ebonie Allard. She describes herself as a “Priestess of Alchemy”® — she’s an award-winning International Coach. She’s a (her words) “Misfit turned Maven,” an author, an artist, and an advocate.
She’s been host of the podcast “Adulting with Ebonie”… and her new podcast “Ebonie Unfiltered.”
She is the author of books including Misfit to Maven: The Story of Argh to Ahhh (Build a Life as Extraordinary as You Are).
In today's episode, Ebonie shares her "favorite mistake" story about inviting her closest three friends to be directors in her company, and how they were insolvent three months later. Why was this a favorite mistake? Because it opened up opportunities for things she really wanted to do.
We also talk about questions and topics including:
Why had you “suffered from burnout at the end of every job” earlier in your career?
Why do you describe yourself as a “Misfit turned Maven”?
What's the difference between a Misfit and a Rebel?
Why do you also describe yourself as a “Priestess of Alchemy”??
Are you a spiritual misfit?
Selling art / your first NFT?
Mistakes people make in trying to get you (and others) to speak?
Her groundrules for working with her
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/favorite-mistake/support

Technology & Business Leader Jinny Uppal on the Mistake of Going Too Fast — ”In/Action”

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

J.A. Adande (ESPN & Northwestern University) on Career & Journalism Mistakes

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