The Mistakes That Make Us

Recipient of the Shingo Publication Award

In The Mistakes That Make Us, Mark Graban, author of the bestselling Lean Hospitals, shares stories and insights from his popular podcast, “My Favorite Mistake,” to teach leaders and teams how to create a culture of continuous improvement where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth.

Drawing on interviews with over 200 successful entrepreneurs, executives, and thought leaders, Graban reveals how to transform mistakes into breakthroughs and cultivate a workplace where employees feel safe to experiment, innovate, and take risks.

This book will help you:

Build a psychologically safe environment where employees can speak up without fear of punishment
Develop a growth mindset that embraces challenges and sees setbacks as learning opportunities
Implement practical tools and techniques for preventing mistakes, identifying root causes, and driving continuous improvement
Create a culture of rewarded vulnerability that fosters trust, collaboration, and innovation

The Mistakes That Make Us is an essential guide for any leader who wants to create a high-performing organization that thrives on learning and innovation. It’s a must-read for anyone who wants to unlock the power of mistakes and achieve extraordinary results.

Author Biography

Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, author, speaker, blogger, and entrepreneur. He specializes in Lean management, continuous improvement, statistical methods, and people-centered leadership to cultivate psychological safety and employee engagement, working with leaders at all levels in various industries.He has authored several books, including “Measures of Success,” “Lean Hospitals,” “Healthcare Kaizen,” and “Practicing Lean.” His latest book is “The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation” (June 2023). He founded and manages LeanBlog.org and hosts podcasts including “Lean Blog Interviews” and “My Favorite Mistake. Mark is also a “LinkedIn Top Voice.“Working independently since 2010, Mark often partners with other consulting groups on larger engagements. Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology and software company KaiNexus and has a small equity stake.Mark earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering (BSIE) from Northwestern University. He also earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) as a Fellow in the MIT Sloan Leaders for Global Operations Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.