My Favorite Mistake: Business Lessons from Failures and Success

Finding Clarity Through Mistakes: How Theresa Rose Transforms Brands with Enthusiasm and Precision

My guest for Episode #268 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Theresa Rose, a Brand and Business Crystallizer, Strategic Co-Creator, and Certified Speaking Professional who works with experts and their businesses to create one-of-a-kind visual brands they can draw on a cocktail napkin. 
EPISODE PAGE WITH VIDEO, TRANSCRIPT, AND MORE
Using her Crystallization Process, Theresa helps thought leaders Clarify, Amplify, and Monetize their Brilliance as efficiently — and lucratively — as possible.
She has 20+ Years of consulting, marketing, and business management experience drives Theresa's strategic thinking, creativity, and sound foundational frameworks. Her career has included senior management roles in marketing and product development for a Fortune 100 company and high-growth startups.
Theresa is the award-winning author of several books, including Mindful Performance: How to Powerfully Impact Profitability, Productivity, and Purpose and Your Daily Dose of Mojo: 365 Days of Mindful Living and Working. 
She has a degree in Business Management from Eckerd College, loves binge-watching The Great British Baking Show, and still has her Most Enthusiastic Award from Mr. Moseman’s second-grade class.
In this episode, Mark and Theresa discuss the journey of embracing mistakes and how they can lead to clarity and success. Theresa shares her experience as a brand and business crystallizer, emphasizing the importance of enthusiasm and authenticity in sales and marketing. They explore her favorite mistake of trying to follow in her mother's footsteps in direct sales, the lessons learned from it, and how it shaped her path. Theresa also delves into common marketing mistakes, the concept of triangulated sales, and her approach to stand-up comedy. Finally, they discuss the benefits of her ten-part video course on achieving cocktail napkin clarity for businesses.
Questions and Topics:
What are the three aspects of sales or persuasion that you feel strongly about?
What would you say is your favorite mistake?
How did trying to follow in your mother’s footsteps shape your journey?
Was direct sales your main focus right out of college, or was it a side hustle?
Looking back, what factors do you think led to the difference in outcomes between you and your mother in direct sales?
What are the most common marketing mistakes you see or help people recover from or even help avoid?
How did the failures or mistakes you encountered tee you up for something better?
When you say “unsupported,” do you mean marketing claims that aren't supported by the delivery of that service or product, or is it about not authentically representing the person?
What do you mean by “triangulated sales”?
How do you view a joke that bombs or a set that bombs in the context of performing comedy?
Tell us a little bit more about your experience with stand-up and improv.
Could you give a quick pitch or summary of why people should check out your ten-part video course and the benefits they will gain from it?

Bonus: Terry Iverson's Update, Author of "Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing"

Welcome to a special bonus episode of "My Favorite Mistake" with your host, Mark Graban! In this episode, we're thrilled to reconnect with Terry Iverson, who has just released his second book, "Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing."
Terry joined us previously in Episode 74, and today he's back to share insights from his new book and his ongoing efforts to inspire the next generation in manufacturing. We delve into the details of his innovative two-sided book and his exciting initiatives for middle schoolers.
Tune in to hear about:
Terry's new book, "Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing," and its unique two-sided format for parents and students.
The concept of advanced manufacturing and the evolving technologies shaping the industry.
The critical importance of skilled labor in modern manufacturing and the benefits of pursuing these careers without incurring college debt.
Terry's Manufacturing Inspiration Camp for middle school students and how it's designed to spark interest in manufacturing careers.
The necessity of tailored education paths to fit individual learning styles and career goals.
Don't miss this enlightening conversation! Check out Terry's new book and discover the promising opportunities in advanced manufacturing.
📘 Get the book: https://amzn.to/4bTQO9i 
🔗 Previous Episode with Terry Iverson (Episode 74): https://markgraban.com/mistake74 
🔔 Subscribe to My Favorite Mistake Podcast: http://myfavoritemistakepodcast.com/ 
📱 Connect with Mark Graban:
Website: LeanBlog.org
Twitter: @MarkGraban
LinkedIn: Mark Graban
📱 Connect with Terry Iverson:
Website: ChampionNow.org
Email: Terry@ChampionNow.org 
LinkedIn: Terry Iverson
#MyFavoriteMistake #AdvancedManufacturing #InspiringChampions #TerryIverson #MarkGraban #Podcast

Brian Biro Shares Timeless Wisdom from John Wooden and Pat Summit

Episode page with video, transcript, and more
My guest for Episode #267 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Brian Biro, author of the new book Lessons from the Legends: New Applications from the Timeless Wisdom of John Wooden and Pat Summitt.
After graduating from Stanford, Brian’s first career was as a swimming coach. He received the prestigious United States Swimming National Coaching Excellence Award, in recognition of his team’s Top 10 National Performance. After gaining his MBA from UCLA, he subsequently rose rapidly to become the VP of Performance Planning for a major transportation company, helping to turn the business around, and quadrupling revenues in record time. He has written 16 books, including bestsellers like Beyond Success! and It’s Time for Joy!
In today's episode, Brian shares his personal story of learning to be fully present with his family, a lesson that profoundly impacted his professional life and leadership approach. We explore the leadership principles of legendary coaches John Wooden and Pat Summitt, emphasizing humility, presence, and the avoidance of blame. Brian also reflects on modern leaders who embody these values, the importance of storytelling in leadership, and the influence of characters like Ted Lasso in promoting these timeless principles.

Questions and Topics:
You mentioned your daughters asking if you loved your phone more than them. How did that moment transform your approach to being present?
Can you explain how being fully present affects both personal and professional life?
Could you share a story about how presence impacted your professional relationships, like with your director of operations?
What can we learn from the leadership styles of John Wooden and Pat Summitt?
How did you first get connected with John Wooden?
Can humility and confidence coexist in leadership?
Are there current coaches or leaders you admire who exemplify the principles of Wooden and Summitt?
What are your thoughts on Ted Lasso as a character and how he connects to Wooden and Summitt’s coaching styles?
How can leaders teach humility without relying on humbling experiences?
Why do you think blame is so destructive in teams, and how can leaders avoid it?
How does your book ‘Lessons from the Legends’ apply to non-sports contexts like business or parenting?

Lynn Kelley on Leading Change and Learning from Mistakes in Diverse Industries

My guest for Episode #266 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is D. Lynn Kelley, the author of Change Questions: A Playbook for Effective and Lasting Organizational Change (with John Shook).
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Lynn currently serves as a senior advisor to BBH Capital Partners. Following a career highlighted by leadership roles in engineering, supply chain, and continuous improvement in various industries, Kelley retired from Union Pacific Railroad in 2018.
At Union Pacific, she was senior vice president of supply chain and continuous improvement. She was also the executive co-owner of the company’s innovation program. 
Before joining Union Pacific, Kelley was vice president of operational excellence, an officer and a member of the executive leadership team at Textron. 
Kelley holds a PhD in evaluation and research and taught undergraduate and graduate statistics courses. Before becoming a professor, she held the positions of executive vice president and chief operating officer of Doctors Hospital in Detroit.
In this episode, Lynn discusses her journey of learning from mistakes, the importance of change management, and how fostering a culture of psychological safety can drive innovation and continuous improvement. Lynn also reflects on her experiences in healthcare and manufacturing, highlighting the critical role of effective leadership and communication in successful organizational change.

Questions and Topics:
When you mentioned it was before it was referred to as lean, were people calling it the Toyota Production System or just Japanese management practices?
As Textron integrated these companies, did they standardize or adjust the metrics for the French plants to include quality and safety?
What were your other key takeaways from your experience in France, especially regarding metrics and relationship building with plant managers?
Could you share your experiences as a leader in healthcare and how they compare to your roles in other industries, particularly in terms of change management?
What prompted you to write "Change Questions," and what was the inspiration behind it?
How would the methodologies in your book have helped you during your time at Textron or Union Pacific?
How do you cultivate psychological safety to encourage people to ask questions, push back, or bring new ideas during change initiatives?
How did you change your approach to giving feedback to make it more effective, and were you ever coached on this?
How do you compare continuous improvement and innovation? Are there different ways to manage change for larger-scale innovations?
What are some of your thoughts or experiences on cultivating an environment where people feel safe to suggest changes or improvements?
What lessons did you learn about balancing the need to fit into an environment versus realizing it might not be a good fit for you?
How do you intentionally manage change when it comes to bigger innovations?

Unlocking Sales Success: Doug C. Brown on Coaching for Free, Boosting Close Rates, and Achieving 684% Sales Growth

My guest for Episode #265 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is a conversation with Doug C. Brown, CEO of CEO Sales Strategies, about his journey from coaching people for free to becoming a renowned sales growth expert. Doug shares the story of his favorite mistake—coaching people for free—and how it taught him the importance of charging for his services to ensure clients take action and achieve results.
Episode page with transcript, video, and more
Doug delves into his impressive career, highlighting key moments like increasing division sales by 684% and boosting close rates by 62% for Tony Robbins' team. He discusses the critical aspects of demonstrating value, understanding the right fit buyer, and why discounting is detrimental to business. Doug also explains the importance of human-to-human connections in sales and how empathy plays a vital role in building lasting relationships.
Listeners will gain insights into Doug's systematic approach to doubling sales, the significance of segmentation, and his new software tool designed to track and optimize sales processes. Whether you're a sales professional, coach, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories that can help you elevate your sales game.
Doug's “favorite mistake” of coaching for free led to the realization that people value and act on advice more when they have skin in the game. This lesson not only transformed Doug's approach to coaching but also laid the foundation for his successful career in sales strategy and consulting.
Tune in to hear Doug's fascinating journey, his strategies for sales success, and learn how his favorite mistake led to incredible opportunities and growth. Don't miss out on this engaging and insightful conversation!
Questions and Topics:
What would you say is your favorite mistake?
Why was it a mistake to coach for free?
How do you decide what to charge for your services?
How do you make sure you don't sell yourself short?
How did you transition from your other businesses into CEO Sales Strategies?
What was the impact of increasing division sales by 684% and boosting close rates by 62% for Tony Robbins' team?
How do you demonstrate value to potential clients?
How important are human-to-human connections in sales?
How did your experience in the US Army influence your career?
What was your instrument or focus at the Berklee College of Music?
How did you end up in nuclear medicine?
Can you tell us about your new program on how to double sales and what that entails?
How can people learn more about your new program and software tool?

Bonus: Phebe Trotman's Update: Author of "Never Quit on a Bad Day"

Welcome to another special bonus episode of "My Favorite Mistake" with your host, Mark Graban! In this episode, we're delighted to welcome back Phebe Trotman, who has just released her second book, "Never Quit on a Bad Day: Inspiring Stories of Resilience."
Phebe previously joined us in Episode 233, and today she's here to share more about her new book. We discuss the incredible stories from decorated athletes, the lessons of resilience, and how these insights can be applied to everyone's life, not just athletes.
Tune in to hear about:
The journey of creating "Never Quit on a Bad Day" and how it fits into the series.
How athletes from diverse backgrounds overcame their challenges and what readers can learn from them.
The feedback and positive reviews the book has received so far.
Phebe's personal experiences and challenges while writing the book and caring for her mother.
The future plans for the "Never Quit on a Bad Day" series and what to expect next.
Don't miss this inspiring conversation! Check out Phebe's new book and find motivation to overcome your own challenges.
📘 Get the book: https://amzn.to/4c2nYDO 
🔗 Previous Episode with Phebe Trotman (Episode 233): https://markgraban.com/mistake233
🔔 Subscribe to My Favorite Mistake Podcast: http://myfavoritemistakepodcast.com/
📱 Connect with Mark Graban:
Website: LeanBlog.org
Twitter: @MarkGraban
LinkedIn: Mark Graban
📱 Connect with Phebe Trotman:
Website: NeverQuitOnABadDay.com
Instagram: @PhebeTrotman
Twitter: @PhebeTrotman

Family, Tradition, and Mistakes: The Unique Distilling Journey of Joyce Nethery at Jeptha Creed

My guest for Episode #264 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Joyce Nethery, the master distiller and CEO of Jeptha Creed Distillery.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
With a rich background in chemical engineering and a unique journey through teaching and distillation, Joyce brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the world of Bourbon.
In this episode, Joyce shares the inspiring story of how a family dream, combined with her expertise and a fortunate mistake, led to the creation of Jeptha Creed's unique and beloved spirits. Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of running a woman-owned distillery in Kentucky and the innovative spirit that drives their success.
Joyce also discusses the critical mistake that led to the development of Jeptha Creed's signature mash bills, the unique challenges of being a woman-owned and operated distillery, and the importance of family and tradition in their business. Tune in to hear how Joyce’s expertise and a serendipitous error turned into a flavorful success story in the world of Bourbon.

Questions and Topics:
Can you tell us about your daughter's role?
How rare is it to be a woman-owned and woman-run distillery in Kentucky or elsewhere?
Why did you end up in Wisconsin instead of working with a Kentucky distillery?
Can you explain the malting process and its impact on flavor?
How has your chemical engineering background and industrial experience helped with distillation and process methods?
How long did you have to wait to see the impact of different barrels on your bourbon?
As the master distiller, how do you predict what's going to age best?
How do you approach blending different barrels to achieve a consistent product?
How unusual is it to use malted wheat in bourbon?
Can you describe your experimental batches and how you finalized your products?
What is a mash bill?
Can you tell us more about bloody butcher corn and why you chose it?
How do you manage the ground-to-glass process at Jeptha Creed?
What does the name Jeptha Creed mean and how does it reflect your values?
How can people learn more about Jeptha Creed and visit your distillery?

Entrepreneurship Mistakes: The Pitfalls of Growing Too Fast with John St.Pierre

My guest for Episode #263 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is John St.Pierre, an entrepreneurial strategist, business growth advisor, and co-host of the “Entrepreneurs United Podcast” — with Rich Hoffman. They recently had me as a guest.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
John has over 25 years of experience co-founding and growing successful businesses across various industries including co-founding and growing two companies to over 50 million dollars in revenues each.
John is currently the majority owner and chairperson of Rhombus Group, a private holding company formed in 2003 comprising several small businesses. His mission is to help entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and their companies achieve their goals and dreams.
He’s also the author of The $100M Journey: Your Guide To Growing The Business Of Your Dreams Without Going Off The Cliff!, a book that shares my proven strategies and insights on how to scale your business while avoiding costly pitfalls.
In this episode, John shares his profound insights on the pitfalls of trying to grow a business too fast. John recounts his journey of co-founding and expanding a company to over $50 million in revenue, only to face the harsh consequences of rapid, unsustainable growth. He shares his mistakes, such as
taking on excessive bank debt,
making poor hiring decisions, and
losing equity control,
which ultimately led to him being fired from the very company he built. Through this candid reflection, John emphasizes the importance of patient ambition, protecting equity, and aligning business strategies with personal life goals, offering invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Questions and Topics:
What's your favorite mistake?
Did you take time off to reflect, recover, and reset?
Did previous opportunities lack alignment in purpose, best-in-world potential, and economic value?
Did board members or executives push back on your growth decisions, or was everyone all in?
What advice do you have for founders on when to take money, how much to take, and who to choose as investors?
How was the news of your firing delivered?
Are there specific growth points that are particularly risky, like 10 million or 50 million?
How can founders ensure they don't have blinders on and miss potential pitfalls?
What's the common theme for the businesses within Rhombus Group?
Tell us about the Entrepreneurs United podcast and how you and Rich Hoffman decided to start it.
The book's website

Bonus: John Rossman's Update, Author of "Big Bet Leadership"

John was a guest in Episode 242 in January 2024. That episode: https://markgraban.com/mistake242 
Welcome to a pecial bonus episode of "My Favorite Mistake" with your host, Mark Graban! In this episode, we're catching up with John Rossman, who has just released his latest book, "Big Bet Leadership: Your Playbook for Winning in the Hyper-Digital Era."
John joined us previously in Episode 242, and today he's back to share insights from his new book. We discuss the critical lessons learned from industry giants like Jeff Bezos, John Legere, Elon Musk, and Satya Nadella. John breaks down the essential habits for successful transformations: creating clarity, maintaining velocity, and accelerating risk and value.
Tune in to hear about:
The foreboding prediction of the hyper-digital era.
Key strategies for transforming organizations.
Feedback from readers and insights into the book's reception.
The unique "three futures memo" tool for better alignment.
The importance of focusing on valuable problems and customer needs in the AI era.
The challenges of upfront decision-making processes and governance.
John also shares a candid moment about the audiobook production and thoughts on potential additions for future editions.
Don't miss out on this insightful conversation! Check out the book, "Big Bet Leadership," and enhance your playbook for thriving in the hyper-digital era.
📘 Get the book: https://amzn.to/3xgoBdz 
🔔 Subscribe to My Favorite Mistake Podcast: http://myfavoritemistakepodcast.com/ 
📱 Connect with Mark Graban:
Website: LeanBlog.org
Twitter: @MarkGraban
LinkedIn: Mark Graban

Embracing Failure: Jennifer Heemstra's Path to Innovation, Scientific Research, and Leadership

My guest for Episode #262 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Jennifer Heemstra. She is Chair and Professor of Chemistry, the Charles Allen Thomas Professor of Chemistry at Washington University in St. Louis.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
Her research makes use of the ability of nucleic acids to self-assemble and recognize other molecules. Alongside her research, Heemstra is a science communicator and writes a regular column for Chemical & Engineering News. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
In this episode, Jen discusses the iterative process of failure and success in her lab, emphasizing the importance of creating a psychologically safe space for her team to experiment and learn. Jen also highlights the critical role of leadership in academic settings and how her unexpected transition into a leadership role has become one of the most rewarding aspects of her career — an “accidental leader” (the theme of a book she's writing).
Jennifer's “favorite mistake” concerns a significant misunderstanding of her career path. Initially believing that her role as a professor would be purely research-focused, she quickly realized that it encompassed much more, including leadership and mentorship. This revelation, although initially seen as a mistake, turned out to be the best possible outcome. It fueled her passion for leadership and inspired her to focus on developing a positive and empowering lab culture. Her story underscores the importance of embracing unexpected turns in one's career and finding value in professional growth.
Questions and Topics:
The failures and mistakes we make in research 
Advising students about their career paths, and if they want to really focus on research? 
Is it rare for a professor to love all aspects of their job? Research, teaching, getting funding, publishing, leading?
As chair – have an employer but not a boss – but autonomy?
“The Only People Who Never Make Mistakes and Never Experience Failure Are Those Who Never Try”
What types of failures are made by students and researchers in your field – and your lab?
Amy Edmondson’s three types of failures?
A hypothesis that’s disproven vs a technical mistake?
Making sure you learn from mistakes?
Helping people not beat themselves up?
Why and How do you share YOUR failures? And Why is it more important for those with more POWER to share their mistakes?