The Mistakes That Make Us is a recipient of the Shingo Publication Award from the Shingo Institute!
Hi :
I have a new online course available through TKMG Academy. It's called Leading with Psychological Safety. It runs about an hour in total, split into 13 short lessons, so it's built to fit around a workday rather than replace one.
Here's a 90-second video preview.
Why I made it
I've heard a lot of leaders say some version of "my door is always open." I believe them. But an open door isn't the same thing as people walking through it.
When I surveyed about 600 people about why they stay quiet at work, fear of punishment was part of the picture. Futility was a bigger part. More people said they'd held back because they didn't think speaking up would change anything than said they held back because they were afraid. If someone raised a concern last year and nothing happened, they've learned a lesson. The leader may never find out what it was.
That matters for anyone doing Lean work. Kaizen depends on people pointing out problems and suggesting changes. A3 problem solving, daily huddles, and andon systems all depend on the same thing. None of it works if people have concluded that saying nothing is safer, or just more practical.
What the course covers
What psychological safety is, and the common misconceptions about it (it isn't about being nice or lowering standards)
Timothy Clark's four stages of psychological safety
The two reasons people stay silent: fear and futility
Four leadership behaviors that build safety over time: model, encourage, enable, and reward
How to assess progress, for an organization and for yourself as a leader
It builds on Amy Edmondson's research and Clark's framework, with examples from healthcare, manufacturing, and other settings where I've worked or interviewed leaders.
The practical details
13 lessons, 59 minutes total
Four handouts
Also available in Spanish
$179 USD per learner, with volume pricing and annual subscription options
Pass the final exam with 80% or better and you'll receive a completion certificate and a digital badge through Credly that you can share on LinkedIn
I tried to keep this practical. The leaders I've seen build safety didn't do it with a speech. They did it through small, repeated behaviors, and the course is organized around those.
You can see the full lesson list and enroll here.
If you have questions about the course, or you're thinking about it for a group of leaders, just reply to this email.
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Mark
One more thing: the book
This course grew out of a book I've been writing for the past couple of years. The title is The Silence Tax: How Lean Leaders Drive Out Fear and Futility, and I'm close to finishing the manuscript. The plan is to publish in the first quarter of 2027.
The course is the short version. The book goes deeper on the research, the interviews with leaders who've done this work, and the mistakes I've seen (and made) along the way. If you take the course now, you'll be well ahead when the book comes out.
I'll share more as the date gets closer.
I'd Love to Help You — Virtually or On-Site
I'm open to working with you, either virtually or on-site.
If I can help your team or organization as:
A speaker,
A workshop leader, or
A consultant,
... please let me know. You can reply to this email or schedule a call to discuss your needs and situation — and how I might be able to help.
I can also do a similar session for organizations in other industries!
New Languages for The Mistakes That Make Us
🌍 Available in Italian!
The Kindle eBook edition of Gli errori che ci rendono ciò che siamo is now available on Amazon. This Italian translation brings the book’s message to a wider audience—highlighting how embracing mistakes can drive learning, psychological safety, and continuous improvement.
🙏 A heartfelt thank you to Patrizia Mazza for editing and refining the AI-translated text. Her thoughtful work ensures the Italian edition speaks clearly and authentically to local readers.
Paperback also available!
🇪🇸 Expanded Spanish Options
The Spanish edition—Los errores que nos hacen ser quienes somos—is available in print, Kindle eBook, and audiobook formats via Amazon. Whether you're reading on paper, screen, or listening on the go, the message remains the same:
🎧 The audiobook is also available on Audible, narrated by an automated Spanish-speaking voice for accessibility and clarity.
Thank you for continuing to support and share this work. I hope these translations help leaders and teams around the world build cultures where people feel safe to speak up, experiment, and learn from mistakes.
Recent Blog Posts and Podcasts
LeanBlog Posts and Podcasts:
My Favorite Mistake Podcasts -- Celebrating Our 5th Birthday!
The Audiobook is Available!
The audiobook version of The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation is available through Amazon, Audible, and Apple Books.
But you can listen to a 5-minute sample now, the first part of Chapter 1:
Thank You!
Thanks for being part of my community.
Let me know if I can be of assistance in any way.
Mark Graban
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