My long-standing “Lean Blog Interviews” podcast recently celebrated its 15th birthday. That podcast is a teenager now. And, after a summer hiatus, I'll start ramping up new episodes again next week.
But my most recent venture (I mean hobby) is the “My Favorite Mistake” podcast and today marks one year since the release of my first episode that featured Kevin Harrington (from “Shark Tank”) and his fellow entrepreneur and co-author Mark Timm.
Kevin Harrington & Mark Timm on Their Favorite Mistakes as a “Shark” and as Entrepreneurs
Today, I just released Episode 99 with a friend of mine from the Lean world, Brion Hurley. We talk about Lean Six Sigma a bit, but we talk mostly about his experience of being a kicker and a punter at the University of Iowa and he also played (American) football in a few professional leagues.
A College & Pro Football Kicker's Practice Routines Were a Mistake? Brion Hurley
One reason I started “My Favorite Mistake” was to be able to talk to guests who wouldn't be a great fit in my Lean podcast. Beyond entrepreneurs and CEOs, I've interviewed:
- Pro athletes and others from the sports world
- Then-Congressman Will Hurd
- Entertainers
- Healthcare professionals
- The original “Phillie Phanatic”
- Tom Peters (he's a fanatic too, LOL)
- Two whiskey distillers
- Personalities from the Dan Le Batard Show
And I've interviewed some Lean practitioners who you might know.
There are common themes about mistakes, regardless of whether the guest is a “Lean thinker” or not. It's just good thinking.
Some key points:
- Everybody makes mistakes
- Not everybody will admit them
- When we recognize and admit mistakes, we can reflect and grow personally
- It's better to not repeat the same mistake
- Organizations perform better when there's a culture of “psychological safety” that allows people to safely admit to mistakes (or to point them out)
- Again, recognizing the mistake means that we can grow, as an organization, and get better
- We can learn from the mistakes of others (don't make the same mistake as Kevin Harrington, for example)
- We can learn from the example that's set by these highly successful
If you haven't done so, I hope you'll check out the podcast.
If you have listened, please give the podcast the birthday gift of a rating or a review via Apple or Podchaser.
Or, if there is an episode that you particularly liked, please share it on social media or share it with a friend or colleague.
One other thing I'll share… I have tried to pay very close attention to having my guests fully represent the diversity of the U.S. and beyond. Out of 99 episodes, I've had, as guests:
- 49 women
- 21 BIPOC
- 12 international guests (including Canada, Germany, Japan, England, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and the Phillipenes)
I aim to do better in terms of the diversity of my Lean Blog Interviews guests, as well.
p.s. It's also the first birthday of my friend (and fellow “Lean Communicator“) Jamie V. Parker's podcast “Lean Leadership for Ops Managers.” Happy birthday!
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Check out my latest book, The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation:
Congratulations, Mark! Keep up the great work!
Thanks, Deondra!