Learning from Leadership Mistakes with CEO Kerry Siggins

My guest for Episode #273 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Kerry Siggins, the dynamic CEO and Executive Chair of StoneAge Holdings, a leading manufacturing and technology company based in Colorado.

Episode page with video, transcript, and more

Under her visionary leadership, StoneAge has achieved consistent double-digit growth, transforming into an industry powerhouse. In 2015, Kerry pioneered the company’s transition to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), ensuring that every employee shares in the company’s success and has a true stake in its future.

Recognized for her expertise in scaling companies and cultivating high-performance cultures, Kerry serves as a trusted board member and business advisor. Her insights have made a profound impact across industries. A sought-after speaker, Kerry regularly captivates audiences worldwide—from corporate leaders to university students—with her engaging presentations on leadership, culture, and ownership.

In addition to her executive roles, Kerry is the host of Reflect Forward, a widely acclaimed podcast where she explores leadership, personal growth, and overcoming challenges. She is also the author of The Ownership Mindset, a book that offers actionable strategies for building empowered teams and thriving companies.

In this episode, Kerry shares the pivotal moment that led her to turn her life around, her journey from the rock bottom of addiction to becoming a CEO, and how she built a culture of ownership and accountability at StoneAge. We discuss the lessons she learned from her favorite mistakes, the power of employee ownership, and how leaders can foster resilience and growth within their teams. Kerry’s story is both inspiring and full of actionable insights for anyone looking to lead with purpose and drive lasting success.

Questions and Topics:

• Kerry, with everything you’ve done in your career, what would you say is your favorite mistake?
• How were you able to bounce back and make that overdose a step toward recovery?
• What were you doing for work at that point in your life?
• How did you end up at StoneAge Holdings, and did you start in a specific role or as CEO?
• That’s young to be a CEO of a company you didn’t found—how did that feel?
• Can you tell us more about what StoneAge Holdings does and how you became CEO?
• Many companies say they want employees to think like owners, but they don’t always give them the incentive. How does the ESOP at StoneAge create an ownership mindset?
• How does your profit-sharing plan work alongside the ESOP?
• As a leader, how do you approach mistakes, especially when employees make them?
• How did going back home help you transition and get on track?
• Can you tell us more about Reflect Forward, your podcast, and your book, The Ownership Mindset?
• Do you have a favorite podcasting mistake as a host or guest?