GA 632 | Performance Unleashed with Chris Libutti

GA 632 | Performance Unleashed with Chris Libutti

Author: Ron Pereira: Lean Thinker & Co-Founder of Gemba Academy May 14, 2026 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 episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

  • The quote Chris likes (2:29)
  • His background (4:08)
  • About his time in the military (8:46)
  • What Chris is most proud of (12:42)
  • His transition to college (14:01)
  • About Chris’s book (18:42)
  • The importance of self-discipline (26:39)
  • Chris’s final words of wisdom (32:43)

Podcast Resources

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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 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…
GA 630 | Why Tone Matters with Shahab Shah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:05
This week’s guest is Shahab Shah. Ron and Shahab discussed the importance of balancing human empathy with the demands of reality, why tone matters, first steps for making improvements, and more. An MP3 audio version of t…
GA 629 | Why Leadership Is Like Cooking with Pete Behrens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 avai…
GA 628 | A Factory on Fire: How Lean Saves Lives with Brian Meyers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:48
This week’s guest is Brian Meyers. Ron and Brian discussed the heart-stopping story of how Brian’s facility caught fire, the profound difference lean made in saving it, what “unwavering commitment” means, and more. An MP…
GA 626 | Learning to See Waste with Randall Dupre [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:07
This week’s guest is Randall Dupre. Ron and Randall discussed Randall’s book, “Everyday Lean,” the kinds of mistakes Randall sees people making, what good leadership looks like, his favorite lean principles, and more. An…
GA 625 | Dealing with Hidden Threats with Dean Svarc [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:42
This week’s guest is Dean Svarc. Ron and Dean discussed Dean’s book, “Trojan Horse,” navigating hidden threats, why culture matters, the mistakes leaders make, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available…
GA 624 | The Pause, Consider, Act Framework with Ashley Herd [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:12
This week’s guest is Ashley Herd. Ron and Ashley discussed Ashley’s Pause, Consider, Act Framework, the concept of a career quilt, micromanagement, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download…
GA 623 | The Power of Entropy with Adam Lawrence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:29
This week’s guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed Adam’s Wheel of Sustainability, the importance of continuously improving, what his Sustainability System assessment is trying to solve, and more. An MP3 audio ve…
GA 622 | The State of AI with Steven Remsen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:41
This week’s guest is Steven Remsen. Ron and Steven discussed Steven’s time at Intel, how to make change “stick” at a large organization, what Steven sees organizations struggling with, the current state of AI, and more.…