GA 610 | Lean and AI in the Legal Field with Heather Underwood and Adam Marsland

GA 610 | Lean and AI in the Legal Field with Heather Underwood and Adam Marsland

Author: Ron Pereira: Lean Thinker & Co-Founder of Gemba Academy December 11, 2025 Duration: 35:32
This week's guests are Heather Underwood and Adam Marsland. Ron, Heather, and Adam discussed how lean is being applied in legal settings, the status quo when it comes to AI, what the future might look like, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire Heather and Adam (3:44) Their backgrounds (5:37) The role of lean (7:36) Examples of using lean in a legal setting (10:20) What they're learning (13:01) The future of AI and its effect on humanity (17:38) Challenges as it relates to lean and AI (19:14) What things will look like in five years (24:52) The adoption of lean in the legal industry (27:01) Moving from control to curiosity (29:10) Their final words of wisdom (33:33) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Adam on LinkedIn Heather on LinkedIn GA 326 | Lean and Law in the UK with Adam Marsland GA 422 | Getting Lean Buy-In with Adam Marsland Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Are you concerned for the future in regards to AI? Why or why not?

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: 50

Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership
Podcast Episodes
GA 640 | Optimistic Fear with Cornelia Choe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:11
Most leaders think their biggest risk is making the wrong call. Cornelia Choe argues the real danger comes earlier, when a leader stops questioning the mental map they're using to make calls in the first place. In her bo…
GA 639 | Putting the Customer First with Slaytor Baldwin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:30
A suppressor manufacturer in Utah started its lean transformation about a year ago. Twelve months later, inventory turns had doubled, changeover time dropped from 3.5 hours to 9 minutes, and a rollout planned for a year…
GA 638 | Separating Risk from Being Reckless with George Barrios [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:20
Confidence and arrogance can look identical from the outside. George Barrios has spent a career in rooms where the difference mattered, from running a semiconductor division at 29 to co-leading a $20 billion merger betwe…
GA 637 | Developing Organizational Maturity with Norman Wolfe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:38
Most organizations have the systems. They have the processes, the KPIs, the structured meetings, the strategic plans. And they are still stuck. Norman Wolfe has spent decades helping leadership teams understand why, and…
GA 636 | Taking Control of Your Life with Joel Steele [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:37
Most people trying to improve their lives are doing it without a clear picture of what they are building toward. For Joel Steele, a near-miss with prison forced him to start making different choices. His book "Life Switc…
GA 635 | Emotions Are Not the Enemy with D. Earl Johnston [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:07
Most continuous improvement practitioners are trained to prize logic and treat emotion as noise in the system. D. Earl Johnston spent nine years and thousands of research hours across twelve disciplines discovering that…
GA 634 | Doubling Profits in 90 Days with Ben Hansen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:41
This week's guest is Ben Hansen. Ron and Ben discussed how Ben helps companies improve their profit margins, dealing with "profititis," shifting your focus from revenue to profitability, and more. An MP3 audio version of…
GA 633 | Be Curious and Seek Knowledge with Andy Olrich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:41
This week's guest is Andy Olrich. Ron and Andy discussed the roles of people and tools in continuous improvement, what NOT to do when building a lean culture, teaching younger generations, and more. An MP3 audio version…
GA 632 | Performance Unleashed with Chris Libutti [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:25
This week's guest is Chris Libutti. Ron and Chris discussed Chris and his wife Yamila's book, "Performance Unleashed," his time in the military, the importance of self-discipline, and more. An MP3 audio version of this e…
GA 631 | What We Can Learn from Tetris with Michael Parent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:33
This week's guest is Michael Parent. Ron and Michael discussed an interesting AI conundrum, the impact that systems and design have on performance, Michael's Tetris experiment, and more. An MP3 audio version of this epis…