Permission to Screw Up

Publisher's Summary

The inspiring, unlikely, laugh-out-loud story of how one woman learned to lead - and how she ultimately succeeded, not despite her many mistakes, but because of them.

This is the story of how Kristen Hadeed built Student Maid, a cleaning company where people are happy, loyal, productive, and empowered, even while they're mopping floors and scrubbing toilets. It's the story of how she went from being an almost comically inept leader to a sought-after CEO who teaches others how to lead.

Hadeed unintentionally launched Student Maid while attending college 10 years ago. Since then, Student Maid has employed hundreds of students and is widely recognized for its industry-leading retention rate and its culture of trust and accountability. But Kristen and her company were no overnight sensation. In fact they were almost nothing at all.

Along the way, Kristen got it wrong almost as often as she got it right. Giving out hugs instead of feedback, fixing errors instead of enforcing accountability, and hosting parties instead of cultivating meaningful relationships were just a few of her many mistakes. But Kristen's willingness to admit and learn from those mistakes helped her give her people the chance to learn from their own screw-ups, too.

Permission to Screw Up dismisses the idea that leaders and organizations should try to be perfect. It encourages people of all ages to go for it and learn to lead by acting rather than waiting or thinking. Through a brutally honest and often hilarious account of her own struggles, Kristen encourages us to embrace our failures and proves that we'll be better leaders when we do.

©2017 Kristen Hadeed (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Everything I Needed as a Millennial Manager

This book was everything I needed at just the right time. In the midst of struggling to find a way to align my leadership goals with a “behind the times” company culture, I was starting to doubt myself and my mission. After hearing Kristen’s story and being able to identify with the majority of it in one way or another, I feel like I have been able to refocus on what truly matters to me as a leader. Leadership is incredibly difficult when you are saddled with the title and responsibilities of [insert title of influence here]. No wonder so many seniors/executives have lost their leadership paths in a jungle of conflicting organizational cultures. Simon pointed out that people pulled out their notepads and listened when Kristen spoke; as they should. What she has to say is absolutely invaluable for all levels of an organization. Particularly for those who have lost their way. I am so glad she decided to share her screw ups with the rest of us. Thank you, Kristen.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Finally an honest, vulnerable book about business.

I was engrossed from the beginning to end, and enjoyed it more than the last 20 I listened to combined. I applaud the authors courage.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Inspired

Great book. Easy to listen to. I finished in just a few short days. As a business owner it is great to hear that it is ok to mess up from time to time...to be human. After listening to this book I feel a renewed energy to find the best in people and to work as hard to build internal relationships as we do on the external ones!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Easy to listen to!

Kristin is so pleasant and easy to listen to. Hearing her story is almost like sitting down and listening to a story narrated by a friend. Her lessons learned are indispensable and her openness to admit her mistakes is refreshing . This book is deafly something that all leaders and future leaders need to read!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This book is Amazing!

This book is so heartfelt! So real! I feel that am better from just knowing your story. Thanks!

A book that resonates "FeelGood" growth.

I loved this book. The message that Kristen conveyed resonates with me and my experience. It affirms my personal style of how I interact with others.

fun to listen to

I really enjoyed this audiobook, the author offered good insight on leadership and presented it with an interesting story.

Thank you for this book

This book made me feel better about the fact that I don’t know everything and that some things are trial and error in running a business. I am on track with many things though, based on the author’s story. I would recommend this book to any entrepreneur who is getting frustrated with the never ending job of growing their business and just needing to feel like they are not alone.

A Great Story on Permission

I don't know if you are like me, but I have been a straight A student and always found messing up to be a problem. I have found that I desire perfection and expect it from myself more than anyone else. This means that I would rather sit somewhere that I know I can succeed, than barrel into an area that is full of fear and that I might mess up. This book, through personal story and reflection, gives permission and necessity to why you need to just go do.

Love

I really enjoyed the book. Fel we can all learn from our mistakes and become better!

My new go to resource on humane & effective leadership

A really wonderful, engaging and insightful book on leadership. Whether you’re an experienced leader who has studied the theory, got the t shirt etc, or brand new to leadership, or starting up a new venture if your own, this book will help your thinking, and I hope, inspire you. I listened on Audible and my commute was transformed. Kristen is a great story teller, really bringing to life her ‘screw ups’ and the deep learning that followed. So much of her success is her people focus and the attention she has paid to relationships, values and honest feedback. She shares her insights generously and and also attributes and thanks the others who have helped along the way. I am already boring anyone who will listen to me with my recommendation to read or listen to this book. I’m delivering a 2 hour overview on leadership theory imminently - no mean feat! This is one of 4 books I am specifically referencing.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Inspiring and entertaining tales of leadership

Refreshingly candid and open tales from leadership that are both inspiring and entertaining in equal measure.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wow!

If you want to learn then this is a great book to listen to. Game changer.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

INSPIRING

Amazing life changing story already helped me so much in our business and my personal life THANK YOU SO MUCH !

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A good listen for aspiring and established leaders

A good listen for the aspiring and the established leaders it there. Lots of lessons to be learnt.

Refreshing and inspiring

I refer all of my friends who start their first businesses to this book. Gives effective perspective both in professional and personal life.

Inspired

I am touched and felt connected with her journey and sharing what things can go wrong and how she manage to pull this together. It is giving the other side of Entreprenuer which rarely people talks about.

Honest narration of one's inner struggles

Direct and honest about the feelings and everyday struggles of a regularly imperfect person, but also a leader who gets to know herself more and more each day.

easy to listen

Kristen is inspiring and cheerful. Its definitely a feel-good listen. It gives lots of helpful insights. I am now going to purchase a book by Tony Hsieh that Kristen recommends.

Must read for Entrepreneurs

Probably the best book I have listened to on audible. Absolutely Fantastic. Kirsten is an inspiring leader who helps us understand it's ok to get things wrong and it's ok for your team to get it wrong. it helped me recreate my company culture and revisit my core values. thank you Kirsten Hadeed.