Learning Through the School of Hard Knocks | with Amit Mital

Learning Through the School of Hard Knocks | with Amit Mital

Author: Bill December 2, 2025 Duration: 1:02:23
Join host Bill Lennan on the 40% Better podcast as he sits down with veteran executive Amit Mital for a candid look at his 25-year career.
In a world that prizes learning from others, Mital shares why his own personal experience and the "school of hard knocks" were his most valuable teachers. This episode challenges the traditional view of professional development and focuses on the power of doing and failing.
You will learn:
Why personal experience often trumps theoretical knowledge in real-world challenges.
The essential mindset shift that turns mistakes into valuable lessons for personal growth.
The critical importance of reflecting on past decisions to avoid repeating errors (and get 40% better in your own role).
How embracing difficulty and overcoming obstacles shapes a deeper, more resilient understanding of leadership.
If you believe true growth comes from getting your hands dirty and learning directly from your challenges, this episode is a must-listen for executives, leaders, and anyone committed to an ongoing journey of learning.

I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Bill and the 40 % Better podcast team
Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wblennan/ 
Visit the 40 Percent Better website here: https://40pb.com/

Listen to 40 % Better on these podcast platforms:
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/40%25-better---engineering-leadership/id1709546347 
Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/01ad162e-7a33-4df4-8c29-04c4af0405fc/40-better---engineering-leadership

#40PercentBetter #BillLennan #Leadership #TeamPerformance #EmployeeEngagement #PsychologicalSafety #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #EngineeringLeadership #Coaching The 40% Better podcast with Bill Lennan unlocks previously unheard-of performance levels in teams and leaders. Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, interviews experts on employee engagement, psychological safety, engineering leadership, and actionable mental models. Learn how to foster high-performing teams, improve team productivity, and achieve sustainable success in business through a focus on human-centered systems.

Hosted by Bill, 40% Better-Engineering Leadership is a conversation for those who build and guide technical teams. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical dialogue focused on the tangible mechanics of morale, motivation, and output. Each episode features a single expert in employee engagement, and together we dissect the specific strategies that lead to measurable leaps in performance. You'll hear detailed explorations into what actually moves the needle for engineers and their managers, translating research and experience into actionable leadership techniques. The goal is straightforward: to provide the insights that can help your team operate at a significantly higher level of effectiveness and satisfaction. Tune in for a focused, deep-dive podcast that cuts through the noise of generic management advice, offering concrete ideas you can apply directly to the unique challenges of engineering leadership.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

40% Better - Engineering Leadership
Podcast Episodes
Discomfort and Leadership [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:26
Rule 1 of leadership is helping the team operate better.Rule 2 is that even if Rule 1 is uncomfortable - you are still responsible to do it.This episode dives into Rule 2.Yes, you can :-)
Leaders Are Not Trusted [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:55
This is a sad reality of leadership. So many negative stories (and experiences) about managers/supervisors/leaders who do not take good care of their teams.
Overcoming Introversion with Felix Boecker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
I'm a fan of anyone working on introversion. Felix is doing excellent work.Learn more about Felix at http://brokesurgeon.com#40pb
The Initiative Advantage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:27
How did you do that?I've been asked repeatedly by colleagues and execs. Across all the other mental models and skills - initiative is critical.
Leadership as a System [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:21
Smart leadership is a system.It works the same over and over again.And it starts with first level leaders/supervisors/managers.
Talking With Strangers - 40PB Episode 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:55
Every employee engagement journey starts with communication.I spent decades struggling with social anxiety - but now I talk with strangers every day and enjoy public speaking.The difference - learning and practicing skil…
Persuasion Wins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:11
Being friends with your boss is nice - but often times ineffective for making change happen. What you need are the models and skills for persuasion. Persuasion means translating what you know into language that resonates…

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