Ep 18: No Mistakes Allowed: Breaking the Perfectionism Trap 6l6v2m

In the latest installment of Ore-atory: Elevating Mining Minds, host Lindsey Schultz welcomes back Stephen Dummitt of Tradewinds Leadership for part two of their special May mental health series. This episode focuses on Stigma Lie #2: “You’re Not Allowed to Make Mistakes.” The duo dives into how this harmful belief restricts learning, erodes team trust, and undermines both physical and psychological safety in the workplace. Stephen opens with a story from his time as an electrician, recalling the day he accidentally blew up a 480V relay system. Rather than being reprimanded, he was met with a question from his mentor (his father): “Did you learn what you did wrong?” That mindset, he explains, solidified the lesson—and changed how he approached every job moving forward. Mistakes, he argues, are vital to true mastery. Lindsey builds on this by sharing her strategy as a consultant: start new roles by asking, “What don’t I know?” This curiosity-first mindset disarms pressure, accelerates learning, and builds deeper connections with the team. They discuss the difference between giving someone the answer and teaching them how to think—emphasizing the need for teachable moments. They also tackle the psychological side of perfectionism—how fear of asking “dumb” questions or making errors creates mental stress, silences communication, and isolates workers. Stephen introduces practical tools: spotlighting experts to invite mentorship, asking others how they learned, and using phrases like “explain it to me like I’m five” to create an open environment. The conversation also unpacks the vital distinction between endurance and resilience—enduring means suffering in isolation. Resilience, on the other hand, is about bouncing back through , tools, and connectedness. This reframing is critical in mining, construction, and other high-stakes industries where mistakes can be both emotional and physical. With 55% of the mining workforce nearing retirement, Stephen urges younger professionals to start asking questions now—because the window to capture decades of experience is closing. And for leaders, it’s a call to create space for those questions, to model vulnerability, and to offer both literal and implied permission to fail. The episode closes with a discussion on the underutilization of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)—only 4.9% nationally—and how simply sharing that you’ve sought help can give others permission to do the same. When trust, communication, and courage intersect, teams don’t just perform better—they thrive. Key Takeaways Mistakes are necessary for growth—not signs of weakness. Psychological safety begins with learner safety. Resilience isn’t about suffering—it’s about . Great leaders teach others how to think, not just what to do. Only 4.9% use EAPs—let’s normalize getting help. Our Promise: We aim to engage with the most creative minds in mining—from engineers and executives to environmentalists and geologists—to explore groundbreaking projects and pioneering innovations. Our discussions are designed not only to inform but to inspire action and empower our listeners to lead and innovate. Stay Connected:   ➤LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mrcrecruiting/ ➤WEBSITE: https://mrcrecruiting.com/ ➤FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MRCRecruiting ➤INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/MRCRecruiting  f5w4v