A simple fact of innovation, and all of the speed, efficiency, and automation that comes with it, is that technology will break down from time to time. Engineering is inherently human and iterative. The same principle of forgiveness should apply to technology as to people – viewing failures as a moment in time in a long journey, not a final endpoint.

Mark MacDonald knows a thing or two about the importance of accepting and learning from breakdowns. As the top executive in charge of Phenom’s Global Professional Services and Customer Care team, his team helps more than 700 organizations overcome tech challenges. Accepting temporary setbacks is crucial for progress and efficiency in a rapidly evolving tech environment.

Tune in to this episode to hear why curiosity and continuous learning are vital in leadership roles, particularly in exploring new tech and addressing hiccups along the way.

Great leaders at any level of an organization are notable for two traits: they admit their weaknesses and hire to compensate for them. That explains why Panasonic Automotive’s CHRO, Stephen Childs, once laid bare his gaps and weaknesses in front of his team before sharing them with the entire company.

“I literally became a better leader over a period of a few weeks after doing that,” he said in this episode of “Unusual Attitudes.” Vulnerability humanizes leaders and not only assures others on the team that it’s OK to have flaws, but that each member has a strength that benefits the broader organization. That’s how amazing teams get created.

Tune in to this episode and hear how a conversation with his teen daughter paved the way for Childs to become a better active listener.

Guest: Stephen Childs, CHRO, Panasonic Automotive, executive coach and author of “Just Be Undeniable”

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As the scion of elected officials, Kellan White grew up in Philadelphia around the politically powerful. He would dream of the day he entered City Hall, where people would address him as “Mr. Mayor.” But that’s not how things turned out.

After his dad lost a close race for mayor of Philadelphia, tragedy struck when his mother and grandfather died. Feeling lost, White walked away from politics and the city he loved, only to return to contribute to the greater good in another way: as a community connector. He compares himself to Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone in “The Godfather” – “I wanted to challenge myself somewhere where nobody knew my family.”

Tune in to this episode of “Unusual Attitudes” to hear White’s story about living at the intersection of politics, government and community.

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