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:
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Why small mistakes are easier to handle with humility and humor
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How Toyota’s “expected vs. actual” lens helps frame errors
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Why psychological safety and kindness matter more than blame
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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.