In the news from my hometown of Livonia, Michigan: 12-year-old served alcohol at Outback Steakhouse in Livonia From the story: The bartender confirmed that they had made a big mistake – they added alcohol to the slushy drink, Collins said. “It was supposed to be a virgin daiquiri, but it… Read More "A Dangerous Mistake: Serving Alcohol to a Minor"
This blog is a collection of stories, quotes, articles, and more about mistakes. Some of it is “director’s cut” material that didn’t make it into my book The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation. I also blog regularly at LeanBlog.org.
Embracing Failure as a Stepping Stone: Lessons from The Groundlings Theatre’s 50 Years of Creativity
This news story caught my eye the other day — actually, it was my ears (my mistake) as I was listening to NPR: The Groundlings Theatre celebrates 50 years of wild and wacky characters As you can read there, they learn from their mistakes, failures, and “bombs”: “You bomb so… Read More "Embracing Failure as a Stepping Stone: Lessons from The Groundlings Theatre’s 50 Years of Creativity"
From Comical Gaffes to Grave Errors: The Wide Spectrum of Mistakes in Film and Life
Some mistakes can be funny, some can be embarrassing, some can be deadly, and some could destroy humanity. Oops, that got dark real quick — my mistake. In my favorite film, “This is Spinal Tap,” many laughs result from mistakes. For example, the band named themselves “The Originals,” only to… Read More "From Comical Gaffes to Grave Errors: The Wide Spectrum of Mistakes in Film and Life"
The Power of Fact-Checking in Journalism: Lessons from J.A. Adande and the ‘Medill F’
In this post, we delve into the insightful experiences of J.A. Adande, a renowned journalist and educator whose encounters with journalistic accuracy provide a compelling perspective on learning from mistakes. His story, especially the ‘Medill F’ from Northwestern University, echoes the key themes from “The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating… Read More "The Power of Fact-Checking in Journalism: Lessons from J.A. Adande and the ‘Medill F’"
Rethinking ‘My Favorite Mistake’: The Unseen Challenges of a Catchy Podcast Title
Looking back, creating the “My Favorite Mistake” podcast wasn’t a mistake. The name was fitting and pithy. But now, I think it was probably a mistake. We can sometimes predict that a possible decision will be a mistake, but we could be wrong. Most times, a mistake doesn’t reveal itself… Read More "Rethinking ‘My Favorite Mistake’: The Unseen Challenges of a Catchy Podcast Title"
Sheryl Crow’s Misstep and Mastery: A Lesson in Resilience and Growth
Sheryl Crow’s journey, much like the title of her 1998 hit song, reflects a profound truth about mistakes and their impact on personal and professional growth. While it’s not for me to label it her ‘favorite’ mistake, Crow’s experience during a 1994 appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman”… Read More "Sheryl Crow’s Misstep and Mastery: A Lesson in Resilience and Growth"