My Favorite Mistake: Business Lessons from Failures and Success

Shingo Institute Executive Director Ken Snyder: Navigating the Nuances of Lean Leadership and Sustainable Change

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My guest for Episode #230 of the ⁠My Favorite Mistake podcast⁠ is ⁠Ken Snyder⁠, Executive Director of the ⁠Shingo Institute⁠ and Senior Lecturer at Utah State University. 
Ken has been the executive director of the Shingo Institute since 2015. He developed an interest in Japanese business practices while living in Japan during the time he was a student. His interest led him to major in Japanese history from the University of Utah and then to pursue an MBA from Harvard Graduate School of Business for the purpose of working with a Japanese business expanding to the United States.
He joined the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business in 2008.
Before joining the Huntsman School, Ken was president of Marketing Communication Inc., an operating division of Taylor Corporation, where he directed a group of six companies while growing revenues from $25 million to over $80 million.
In this episode, Ken shares his favorite mistake story about his time at Taylor Corporation, when he thought he had made an improvement in their process for collecting data from 6,000 dealers — but everybody went back to the old way. Why did the change fail to stick? What did Ken learn from this? How does this influence his teaching today? We discuss that and more!
Questions and Topics:
General question: When is it a matter of backsliding or the change was never adopted?
Tell us about the Shingo Institute and its namesake Shigeo Shingo…
Lean Blog Interviews podcast with Ritsuo Shingo
Is it hard for companies to sustain performance after being awarded the Shingo Prize?
Not just tools, but Principles
The Shingo Model
Learning and improving — not just you but the Institute

From the White House to Executive Coaching: Asking the Hard Questions with Attorney Laura Terrell

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My guest for Episode #229 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Laura Terrell, an executive coach with over 25 years of professional experience as a legal and business leader. In coaching, she focuses on the issues that are most important to professionals working to address issues in their careers and work lives.
Prior to launching her coaching practice, Laura was a Special Assistant to the President at the White House (George W. Bush admin), a senior level appointee at the US Department of Justice, an equity partner in two large global law firms, and in-house counsel at a major global consulting and business advisory firm.
Laura has led and managed teams of hundreds of people across multiple countries, and has been a top advisor for many Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies. Her clients come from a wide variety of industries, including law, education, financial services, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, non-profit, health care, and technology. Some of them are senior corporate executives like CEOs and general counsels; others are lawyers and consultants, entrepreneurs and small business owners, as well as professionals who may be returning to the workforce, making a pivot to a new career, or switching roles mid-career.
In this episode, Laura shares her favorite mistake story about not questioning the compensation that was offered to her when she was excited to take a White House role. How did she learn about the gap between her pay and the salaries received by others? How did Laura almost make, but manage to avoid repeating, the same mistake in her second government job? What can we learn from her about the importance of asking questions and advocating for ourselves?
Questions and Topics:
How did you learn about that pay gap?
People are generally afraid to ask questions (which can lead to mistakes)  
Afraid of being pushy, afraid of a bad answer?
How to get better at delivering bad information?
Making assumptions about how bad things would be?
Having to give bad news to a legal client? Key still for an attorney?
How and why do very successful executives still need coaching?
How would you describe ideal client?
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Former Monk Marc Lesser’s Enlightenment: A Journey from a Zen Monastery to Business Management

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My guest for Episode #228 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Marc Lesser.
He is the CEO of ZBA Associates, an executive development and leadership consulting company – and he’s a Zen teacher and coach. He founded and was CEO of three highly successful companies and has an MBA from New York University. Prior to his business and coaching career, he was a resident of the San Francisco Zen Center for ten years, and director of Tassajara (Tassa-hara), Zen Mountain Center, the first Zen monastery in the Western world.
Marc helped develop the world-renowned Search Inside Yourself program within Google – a mindfulness-based emotional intelligence training for leaders which teaches the art of integrating mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and business savvy for creating great corporate cultures and a better world.
Marc’s most recent book is Finding Clarity: How Compassionate Accountability Builds Vibrant Relationships. His podcast is called “Zen Bones: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times.”
Having spent a decade steeped in the teachings of Zen, Mark highlights his experiences, from living the life of a monk to taking over as the director for Tassahara Zen Mountain Center. But, the shift from Zen life to the corporate world was not seamless. Despite successfully launching a publishing company, Mark shares his ‘favorite mistake' of avoiding difficult conversations that led to his departure from the company he built from scratch. Is it a mistake to refer to him as a “former monk”?
Questions and Topics:
Using a better relationship to small mistakes as a way to prevent big catastrophes?
What causes the fear of conflict?? What exactly are we afraid of?
What advice would you give your younger self about that? Courage? Safety? 
Avoiding a repeat of that mistake at the next company? 
How do you choose which difficult conversations to address?
The risk or danger of deciding to avoid a difficult conversation or not?
R.D. Lang – “The Politics of Experience” book
Buddhism and the view on mistakes?
“Buddhists don’t sweat mistakes”??
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Coach Bobbi Kahler Didn’t Blame the Turkey Lunch for Putting Her Audience to Sleep

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In this captivating episode, #227 of the 'My Favorite Mistake' podcast, host Mark Graban is joined by the transformational speaker and coach, Bobbi Kahler.
From a flourishing career in personal development spanning over two decades to catalyzing growth in more than 3000 individuals, Bobbi stands as a beacon of self-improvement and human thriving. Through her popular podcast, The Unyielded Show: Thriving No Matter What, Bobbi explores the core elements that breed a winner's mindset and a rewarding life. In this insightful conversation, she reveals the profundity of her learnings gathered from a mishap during the initial phase of her speaking career.
She is the author of Travels of the Heart: Developing Your Inner Leader, and she was a contributing author to the Amazon and NY Times best-selling book, Masters of Success.
Delving deeper into the episode, we unfold a valuable lesson, a testament to the idea that our ways of confronting errors can greatly shape our path to success. On a day of staff training at a credit union, Bobbi was given the opportunity to conduct two 90-minute sessions. The two experiences stood in stark contrast. The first was well received with audience engagement validating Bobbi's skills as a facilitator. However, it was the second one, with less participation and ending early, that became a tipping point in redefining Bobbi's approach to public speaking.
Why did she label this as her mistake instead of blaming the audience or the circumstances? And how did she adjust when facing similar situations in the future?
Questions and Topics:
Didn’t have a backup plan?
Did you run into the same situation again?
What are some of the common roadblocks that keep people from moving forward – how do we get unstuck?
How to get past the fear of mistakes?
PQ – “Positive Intelligence”
What’s the worst that could happen? An exaggerated sense of that?
Why do we need to “help shine a light on the value of mistakes?” And how can we do that?
Why do you believe that there is always a way forward?
Pfeffer / Sutton – “knowing-doing gap” book
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Dr. Eli Joseph on the Benefits of ”Rejection Resumes” and Mistakes

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My guest for Episode #226 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Dr. Eli Joseph. He is an author, educator, and 3-time TEDx speaker who currently serves as a faculty member at Columbia University, New York University, and UCLA.
Using rejection to fuel his professional achievements, Dr. Joseph earned his bachelor’s degree at the age of 20, a master’s degree at the age of 21, and earned a doctorate degree at Felician University while teaching at Columbia University at the age of 24, and became a Quest Diagnostics business partner at the age of 25.
He’s the author of the book, The Perfect Rejection Resume: A Reader’s Guide to Building a Career Through Failure (February 22, 2022).
In this episode, Eli shares his favorite mistake story about being rejected for an internship with JP Morgan Chase in 2015. How did this inspire him to write a book on rejection resumes? Why share rejections publicly? We discuss all of that and more.
Questions and Topics:
So that “favorite mistake” rejection is on your rejection resume??
What inspired you to write the book on rejection resumes?
Why share failures or rejections publicly?
What does it mean to get vaccinated by failure?
Failures, rejections, mistakes — get back on direction or a new direction??
Gianis Antetokounmpo — failure question — link to the video
Book: “addressing the lessons learned from our failures”?
How to make sure we really learn?
Why do we love to blame others?
Time management — future book, mistakes around that?
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College President & ”Chief Energy Officer” Suzy Siegle Sent an Email She Regretted

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My guest for Episode #225 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Suzy Siegle. She is the author of, most recently, the book, Chief Energy Officer. Suzy currently serves as the ninth President, CEO & Chief Champion of Walsh College in Troy, Michigan. 
Suzy’s academic and professional background blends her passions for business, law, and higher education, focusing on the value and importance of business and technology education in today’s rapidly changing world.
A licensed attorney and member of the State Bar of Michigan, she holds a bachelor’s degree, a master of business administration, a juris doctor, and a doctorate in higher education leadership and management..
She is also the author of: The THRIVE Journal: A Step-by-step guide to help you create and accomplish your goals (2021), and Locus: Take control and change the direction of your life (2022).
In this episode, Suzy shares her favorite mistake story about an email she sent when in a leadership role with a previous college. Why was the feedback about the email a “gut punch”? What did she learn and how did she adjust her communication style after that? What is “styleflexing” and why is that an important strategy?
We also discuss her book, Chief Energy Officer, and why “leadership energy” is so important. How does a “chief energy officer” help others? Does that have to be the CEO’s role?
Questions and Topics:
How do we make sure we’re learning from mistakes?
Without feedback, we can’t learn?
Ask permission to share more?
There’s a time and a place for giving feedback? Sandwich it?
What is “leadership energy” and why is that so important?
HeartMath.org
Energy in terms of positivity (we can do it) vs. skepticism or cynicism?
How a “chief energy officer” helps others? Does that have to be the CEO’s role?
Staying immune to perks and praise
Tell us a little more about Walsh College… who’s a great fit?
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U.S. Marine Mark Myers Was Overconfident & Didn’t Have a Mentor; Vowed Not to Repeat That Mistake

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My guest for Episode #224 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Mark Myers. Mark is the founder of Peak Profit Solutions and a Tax Savings Architect. He brings over 20 years of successful business operation and high-level consulting experience to the clients and financial professionals he services.
Mark employs the same discipline and tenacity in finding tax savings as he did serving his country as a former Marine Corps Sergeant in Bravo Company 4th Marine Division.
In this episode, Mark shares his favorite mistake story from a previous business, where he was “overconfident” — not getting mentors or help when working in the high-end health club industry. Why did he vow to never repeat this mistake? What does he do differently now?
We also discuss leadership lessons from the Marine Corps. We dive deeply into the world of tax strategies, including what are “red flags” of “unscrupulous” approaches? What mistakes are made when trying to understand or apply United States tax laws to a business?
Mark Myers Was Overconfident & Didn’t Have a Mentor; Vowed Not to Repeat That Mistake
posted on AUGUST 19, 2023FILED UNDER: MY FAVORITE MISTAKETAGGED WITH: CEO, COACH, ENTREPRENEUR, MENTORING, MISTAKES
Check out all episodes on the My Favorite Mistake main page.
My guest for Episode #224 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Mark Myers. Mark is the founder of Peak Profit Solutions and a Tax Savings Architect. He brings over 20 years of successful business operation and high-level consulting experience to the clients and financial professionals he services.
Mark employs the same discipline and tenacity in finding tax savings as he did serving his country as a former Marine Corps Sergeant in Bravo Company 4th Marine Division.
In this episode, Mark shares his favorite mistake story from a previous business, where he was “overconfident” — not getting mentors or help when working in the high-end health club industry. Why did he vow to never repeat this mistake? What does he do differently now?
We also discuss leadership lessons from the Marine Corps. We dive deeply into the world of tax strategies, including what are “red flags” of “unscrupulous” approaches? What mistakes are made when trying to understand or apply United States tax laws to a business?
Questions and Topics:
What mentor or help did you look for or bring in?
Thought he was indestructible
Guarding against overconfidence now? 
Tell us more about Peak Profit Solutions – why start advising business owners this way? Why this focus and this interest? 
You are not a CPA but working with them and financial advisors? 
Compliance questions for advisors vs. tax law?
Tax efficiency or minimizing taxes without anything that’s illegal?
What’s a red flag of “unscrupulous”?
Black and white — IRS interpretation of that law?
What questions should we ask an accountant to see if they are a good fit?
Book a free consultation
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CEO Alisa Applewhite Hired 18 Family Members Into Her Business

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My guest for Episode #223 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Alisa Applewhite. She is the CEO of Top of the Line Healthcare Staffing, TOTLHS Heart of Gold Inc., and The Real Alisa Applewhite Consulting. Alisa describes herself as a Nurse, CEO, Wife, Mom, Child of God, Friend, Daughter, and Sister.
In this episode, Alisa shares her favorite mistake story about hiring 18 family members based on emotion, paying them too much. How did she discover performance issues and her mistake? Did she have to let some of them go?
We also discuss a number of issues in healthcare, including proper staffing levels, “travel” nurse staffing, and the mistake of not listening to the patient's family about how they're doing.
Questions and Topics:
Working at the bed when Covid started? What was it like?
The story of starting the staffing company?
How Covid affected her mentally
The business need for a staffing agency like hers?
Staffing level mistakes in healthcare? What’s standard vs. what’s sufficient??
Determining the “true” ratios for staffing?? What’s standard vs. what’s practical?
The dynamics where nurses are increasingly wanting to be a “traveler” nurse? More to it than just higher pay?
“Stigma” of travel nurses can be unfair?
Videos — 5 nursing mistakes
Mistake to NOT listen to patient’s family about how the patient is doing?
A time your listening saved a patient’s life?
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Tech CEO Indus Khaitan’s $6.5 Billion Mistake and What He Learned

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My guest for Episode #222 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Indus Khaitan,  the CEO & Founder of Quolum, a company funded by Sequoia and Nexus.
Mark's new book - The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation
Indus has 20 years of business growth, product management, and SaaS experience. He has analyzed SaaS buying for 20+ companies with over $500,000 in SaaS spend and has been the leader of growth for a unicorn.
Indus grew up in a mining town where 2-3 homicides daily were a norm, and eventually escaped what he calls the “India Coal Mafia” that plagued his life and left for America. He made the most out of this move and became a founder, a father, and a pilot. He now aims to help others make the same growth in their business and life.
In this episode, Indus shares his favorite mistake story about selling a previous company “prematurely.” Why does he now think they should have persisted? What was the thought process at the time? What was the risk of not selling? We discuss all of that and more.
Questions and Topics:
What's a unicorn?
What do you mean by the “Indian Coal Mafia”?
If everyone is telling you it’s a mistake… are you wrong or being a visionary?
What positive comes out of a mistake?
Lessons learned for next time? Trusting your gut? Putting your foot down as you said? Risk of overadjustment?
Learning vs. agonizing over it
This isn’t your profession, but I have questions for you as a Pilot – preventing mistakes?
Difference between preventing mistakes in a repeatable process (like taking off and landing) vs. doing innovative things?
Doesn’t mean anybody can fly a plane?
Get there-itis may have killed Kobe Bryant
Tell us about your current company, Quolum…
Mistakes companies make with their portfolio of SaaS applications and spending?
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Beate Chelette Lost a Year of Her Life in a Lawsuit, Wanted to be Right

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My guest for Episode #221 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Beate Chelette. Beate is the Growth Architect and Founder of “The Women’s Code” – she provides visionaries and leaders with proven strategies, blueprints and growth maps that provide clear steps to improve business systems,  strengthen leadership skills and teams so that their clients and audiences can maximize profits and scale their impact. 
A first-generation immigrant who found herself $135,000 in debt as a single parent, Beate bootstrapped her passion for photography into a global business that licensed content into 79 countries. She exited in a multimillion-dollar deal when she sold the company to Bill Gates. 
She is the host of a podcast, the Business Growth Architect Show. Her book is Happy Woman Happy World: The Foolproof Fix That Takes You From Overwhelmed To Awesome.
In this episode, Beate shares her favorite mistake story about losing a year of her life by engaging in a lawsuit where she was “right” but it “wasn't worth the time.” Why did it just lead to mental anguish? What did Beate learn from this and what can we learn from her? We discuss that and more.
Questions and Topics:
You sold your business to Bill Gates, what was it that you sold?
“If you think something’s off… you’re right”
Did you consider dropping the case at different points?
How did you get everything back on track with your career and businesses?
How often are you helping business owners who are in a similar rock bottom situation?
What are the most common blockers to business growth?
Find out what your #1 Business Growth Blocker is
How to clarify strategy and “what do you do?”
Doing a bunch of random things vs. having a strategy?
Please follow, rate, and review via Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, or your favorite app — that helps others find this content, and you'll be sure to get future episodes as they are released weekly. You can also financially support the show through Spotify.
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This podcast is part of the Lean Communicators network.
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