Why Leaders Should Rethink the Way They Handle Mistakes

Summary

• The speakers distinguish between "failures" (unsuccessful outcomes of intentional plans, like a failed marriage or business venture) and "mistakes" (unintentional errors caused by a lack of self-awareness or context).
• They introduce the concept of the "Cheetah Pause"—a psychological tool to decelerate before making high-stakes decisions to balance emotion and rationality.
• Michael Lynton reflects on the 2014 Sony Pictures hack, attributing the core mistake to greenlighting "The Interview" without adhering to the studio's standard rigorous review process due to a desire to be liked by the creative community.
• Josh Steiner discusses his error in keeping a personal diary during the Whitewater investigation, highlighting the importance of understanding the specific context (Washington D.C. vs. backpacking) when establishing personal habits.