How Mistakes Make You a Better Leader (and Mentor)

Transformation Unfiltered

Summary:

From accidentally lighting a lab bench on fire to championing Virginia’s bioscience community, Caron Trumbo’s journey is a masterclass in calm under pressure, empathy, and saying yes to growth. She shares the early-career mistake that rewired her response to crisis, how it made her a better leader, and why scientists and women in STEM in particular win when we ask more questions, make room for mistakes, and keep showing up.

Chapters:

00:00 – When the lab literally caught fire

03:30 – From freak-out to fix: building crisis composure

06:30 – Early mistakes that shaped an empathetic lab leader

09:45 – From bench science to ecosystem builder at Virginia Bio

13:15 – Standards, empathy, and leading diverse stakeholders

16:30 – “Say yes” and learn: stepping into policy & partnerships

19:30 – Career pivots for scientists: transfer your skills

22:00 – Don’t give up: reframing research and funding pivots

24:00 – Give back: mentoring, visibility, and women in science

Host Alexa Beavers: linkedin.com/in/alexabeaverspmp

Guest Caron Trumbo: linkedin.com/in/ctrumbo

Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka