The blog post
When Mark applied for a burglar alarm permit, he accidentally sent the form to the wrong Newport — Rhode Island instead of Kentucky. The voicemail he got back was kind, clear, and even funny: pointing out that an 845-mile police response probably wasn’t going to work.
In this story, Mark reflects on:
Why small mistakes are easier to handle with humility and humor
How Toyota’s “expected vs. actual” lens helps frame errors
Why psychological safety and kindness matter more than blame
How to turn a minor error into a “favorite mistake” — one you can laugh about and learn from
It’s a reminder that even harmless slip-ups can reinforce bigger lessons about improvement, culture, and how we respond to mistakes.
Lean Blog Audio: Practical Lean Thinking, Psychological Safety, and Continuous Improvement