GA 638 | Separating Risk from Being Reckless with George Barrios

GA 638 | Separating Risk from Being Reckless with George Barrios

Author: Ron Pereira: Lean Thinker & Co-Founder of Gemba Academy June 25, 2026 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 between WWE and UFC. His book, Sometimes Wrong, But Never in Doubt, started as a phrase buried in a performance review and grew into a full operating philosophy about where real conviction comes from. The answer is less inspiring than most people want to hear, and more actionable than most people expect. In this episode you'll learn: What "chip on shoulder equals chips in pocket" means to founders (2:29) How early circumstances shape a lifelong drive to prove something (3:38) How a career spanning Praxair, WWE, and global sports investment came together (5:45) Where the title "Sometimes Wrong, But Never in Doubt" actually came from (8:47) The difference between confidence earned through deep work and false bravado (13:18) What conviction looks like in practice when pressure hits (17:09) How to treat failure as a signal rather than a verdict (20:27) What separates smart risk from recklessness (24:24) Why doing work you are naturally good at changes everything (27:31) "To get through that, you need to do the work that drives the conviction to push through." - George Barrios Keep Learning If George's point about deep work as the foundation of leadership conviction resonated, the School of Leadership offers structured ways to build that same discipline in yourself and your team. Learn More About School of Leadership at https://www.gembaacademy.com/leadership Podcast Resources George's Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Stay current on new courses, podcast episodes, and continuous improvement resources. Sign up for the Gemba Academy newsletter at gembaacademy.com/news What Do You Think? When you look at the leaders around you who project strong conviction, can you tell whether it comes from deep preparation or from something else entirely?

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 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.…
GA 621 | The Five Habits of Hope with Dr. Julia Garcia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:59
This week's guest is Dr. Julia Garcia. Ron and Julia discussed Julia's book, "The Five Habits of Hope," the power of resilience, the role hope plays in problem-solving, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is a…