My prof in university for strategic management was an ex-firefighter who was a brilliant leader/mentor.

In one of his lectures Mr. O’connell told us about one of his key interview questions in business: ‘Tell me about a mistake you made in your career, what you learned from it and how you would handle the situation differently moving forward.’ He went on to say how it usually took potential candidates off guard and more then less would answer that they didn’t make any major mistakes that they regretted. This would be the end of the interview.

So here I am 23 years later asking potential candidates this week (we’re looking to fill a position in customer service): ‘what has been an experience in your career that you would have handled differently’. You would be surprised how many candidates are speechless ! It’s not the end of the interview for us….however we do want to get to know our potential peeps a little better, what are we looking for ? Depth, humility.

I’ve had a ton of ‘learning experiences’ here at M&N. Over a period of time between 2009 and 2011, we made changes in terms of design and distribution. Sadly, we alienated some customers in the process that had given us their support since our humble beginnings back in 1995.

In 2012 we came back to our original founding ethos: designing timeless pieces with innovative materials in the inspired color of the moment, with accessibility being key. My learning experience ? NEVER take the customer for granted, EVER. They are as much a part of MATT & NAT as our creations and our team so any decision we take has to involve them. I would have never have had the type of appreciation and relationship with our customers that I have today had we not gone through this tumultuous period.

SO get out there, get busy and own the moment! You are going to make mistakes, learn from them and have no regrets! Be humble enough to admit your ‘learning experience’ and courageous enough to take responsibility. I’ve learned more over the last 2 years then I have since 1995. A change in perspective on ‘learning experiences’ has been a major life changing experience for myself in terms of personal growth…

Happy Friday Everyone and a BIG welcome to our contributing bloggers Christine and Megan !

“I am glad that I paid so little attention to good advice; had I abided by it I might have been saved from some of my most valuable mistakes.”
― Edna St. Vincent Millay