GA 629 | Why Leadership Is Like Cooking with Pete Behrens

GA 629 | Why Leadership Is Like Cooking with Pete Behrens

Author: Ron Pereira: Lean Thinker & Co-Founder of Gemba Academy April 23, 2026 Duration: 35:19

This week’s guest is Pete Behrens. Ron and Pete discussed Pete’s book, “Into the Fog,” what it means for leaders to face uncertainty, why leadership is like cooking, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

  • Pete’s quote (2:10)
  • His background (3:15)
  • Why people are the biggest source of variability (6:57)
  • What Pete means by “into the fog” (9:50)
  • Pete’s approach (14:14)
  • What’s better than sitting still (17:59)
  • Why leadership is like cooking (22:07)
  • The constraints Pete is seeing (28:41)
  • Pete’s final words of wisdom (32:32)

Podcast Resources

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?

What does venturing “into the fog” look or feel like for 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 608 | Leading Without Authority with Ricky Banks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
GA 606 | Fixing What Bugs You with Nick Klein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:25
This week’s guest is Nick Klein. Ron and Nick discussed how Nick applies lean at his organization, the challenges they’re facing, and why quick improvements like cleaning up your desktop do more than you think. An MP3 au…
GA 605 | The Katalyst Framework with Katie Anderson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:39
This week’s guest is Katie Anderson. Ron and Katie discussed Katie’s most recent book, the Katalyst framework she created, her experiences leading trips in Japan, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is availab…
GA 603 | The Culture of Calm with Gui Costin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:48
This week’s guest is Gui Costin. Ron and Gui discuss fostering a calm company culture, bringing out the best in people, dealing with different generations and personality types in the workplace, and more. An MP3 audio ve…
GA 602 | Clues from the Factory Parking Lot with George Pesansky [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:26
This week’s guest is George Pesansky. Ron and George discussed taking gemba walks, what we can learn from factory parking lots, the Kano model, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download her…
GA 601 | The Power of NLP with Josh Davis and Greg Prosmushkin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:18
This week’s guests are Josh Davis and Greg Prosmushkin. Ron, Josh, and Greg discussed NLP, or Neuro-Linguistic Programming, why it matters, how it can help in difficult situations, and more. An MP3 audio version of this…
GA 600 | Reflecting on Six Hundred Episodes with Ron Pereira [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:26
This week we’re celebrating our 600th episode. Our Director of Studios Greg Nickell asked Ron about the company’s growth over the years, the challenges we’ve faced, what we hope the next generation will take away from ou…
GA 599 | Coaching Different Personalities with Melissa Sherman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:15
This week’s guest is Melissa Sherman. Ron and Melissa discussed misconceptions about continuous improvement, navigating different personalities, the role coaching plays in change management, and more. An MP3 audio versio…