"Sometimes, on a personal level, I wince"

This quote by Terry Semel recommends that, on occasion, he experiences a sensation of pain or humiliation. This could be due to a range of factors, such as an error he has actually made, a circumstance he has actually found himself in, or something he has said or done. It might likewise be because of something another person has said or done, or a scenario they have found themselves in. It is likely that this sensation of pain or shame is on a personal level, meaning it is something that he has actually experienced himself, rather than something he has observed. This quote recommends that, in spite of his success and accomplishments, Terry Semel is still human and experiences the very same emotions as everybody else.