GA 608 | Leading Without Authority with Ricky Banks

GA 608 | Leading Without Authority with Ricky Banks

Author: Ron Pereira: Lean Thinker & Co-Founder of Gemba Academy November 27, 2025 Duration: 29:41

This week’s guest is Gemba Academy Senior Coach and Instructor Ricky Banks. Ron and Ricky discussed what it means to lead without authority, working with incarcerated individuals, the importance of building relationships, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

  • Ricky’s background (3:17)
  • What “leading without authority” means to him (4:15)
  • Whether it’s more or less important today (6:10)
  • Building trust and credibility (7:47)
  • An example of a spectacular leader (10:49)
  • How it feels working with incarcerated individuals (15:02)
  • How these skills work in the coaching context (18:24)
  • The importance of relationships (22:27)
  • The role of likeability (23:32)

Podcast Resources

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What does the phrase “leading without authority” mean to you?


Hosted by Ron Pereira, a lean thinker and co-founder of Gemba Academy, the Gemba Academy Podcast is a deep and practical resource for anyone looking to build a better organization. The conversations here move beyond theory, focusing on the real-world application of methodologies like Lean Six Sigma and Toyota Kata. You’ll hear from practitioners and leaders who share stories from the front lines, detailing how they tackle complex problems, foster genuine productivity, and develop effective teams. Each episode feels like a candid workshop, breaking down concepts into actionable steps you can apply immediately. This isn't about abstract ideals; it's about the tangible work of improvement, from the shop floor to the executive suite. Tune in for a learning experience that challenges conventional wisdom and provides the tools for meaningful change. The Gemba Academy Podcast turns the philosophy of continuous improvement into a clear and accessible path forward for business professionals and educators alike.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership
Podcast Episodes
GA 538 | The High Achievers Success Cycle with Nina Sossamon-Pogue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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GA 537 | Standing Up a Lean and Six Sigma Program with Gary Cihak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week’s guest is Gary Cihak. Ron and Gary discussed what it takes to build a Lean and Six Sigma program, the Job Instruction component of TWI, why 5S isn’t just a series of chores, and more. An MP3 audio version of t…
GA 535 | Transforming Meetings with Evan Unger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:29
This week’s guest is Evan Unger. Ron and Evan discussed what often goes wrong in meetings, especially high-stakes meetings, as well as practical tips for making meetings successful. An MP3 audio version of this episode i…
GA 534 | Leadership and The Virtue of Magnanimity with Ricky Shoop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:55
This week’s guest is Ricky Shoop. Ron and Ricky discussed the concept of magnanimity, what it means to be a magnanimous leader, examples of magnanimous historical figures, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode i…
GA 533 | Mastering Your Life with Malti Bhojwani [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
This week’s guest is Malti Bhojwani. Ron and Malti discussed personal and professional transformations, different types of motivation, the importance of having a good work/life balance, and more. An MP3 audio version of…
GA 532 | Martial Arts and Continuous Improvement with Chad Senkowski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
This week’s guest is Chad Senkowski. Ron and Chad discussed martial arts, Chad’s podcast The Journey, coaching, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:…
GA 531 | Lean at MacDonald & Owen with Clint West [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
This week’s guest is Clint West. Ron and Clint discussed MacDonald & Owen’s lean journey, the state of lean in the lumber industry, navigating biases, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for downl…
GA 530 |  Keeping People Engaged with Ahmed Radwan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
This week’s guest is Ahmed Radwan. Ron and Ahmed discussed engagement, what it means to build a “lighthouse,” sustaining kaizen efforts, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In t…

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