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 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.
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.
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.