GA 640 | Optimistic Fear with Cornelia Choe

GA 640 | Optimistic Fear with Cornelia Choe

Author: Ron Pereira: Lean Thinker & Co-Founder of Gemba Academy July 9, 2026 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 book The Panoramic Leader, co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith, Cornelia builds a case that continuous change has made the old leadership playbook obsolete. The world stopped being a predictable highway, and too many leaders are still staring at the rearview mirror. In this episode you'll learn: What the quote "Achievement is all about me, but leadership is all about them" really means (3:33) Why continuous change broke the old model of leadership (6:49) How the GEM method helps leaders navigate constant change (9:52) Why G must come before E in the GEM sequence (11:31) How panoramic leadership builds on go-and-see (13:15) What mapping your evolving perspective actually looks like in practice (17:44) Why success is the most dangerous place to stop learning (23:25) What optimistic fear is and why courage alone is not enough (26:25) Three questions that pull leaders out of autopilot (29:40) "One of the greatest dangers we can have is to stop mapping." - Cornelia Choe Keep Learning If Cornelia's point about seeing the system from multiple angles resonated, the School of Leadership can help you build the habits that turn that awareness into consistent practice. Learn More About School of Leadership at https://www.gembaacademy.com/leadership Podcast Resources Cornelia's Website Cornelia on LinkedIn "The Panoramic Leader" 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 did you last seriously question whether the mental map guiding your decisions still reflects the reality around 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: 50

Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership
Podcast Episodes
GA 650 | Train It Before You Trust It with David Osagie-Igiehon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:13
Most continuous improvement practitioners are using AI the same way they use Google, and getting roughly the same quality of results. David Osagie-Igiehon has taken a different approach. He builds custom agents trained o…
GA 649 | Accountability Starts in the Mirror with Michael Caito [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:02
Most organizations have a strategy. Far fewer can actually execute one. Michael Caito built and sold a food delivery business decades before DoorDash existed, then spent years helping other companies close the gap betwee…
GA 648 | Discovering Lean in High School with Ted Pendergrass [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:11
Most lean practitioners spend their careers trying to change the minds of adults who have been doing things the same way for decades. Ted Pendergrass decided to start earlier. Over 20 years coordinating a career technica…
GA 647 | Making Sleep a Priority with Tim Thomas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:20
Most organizations measure productivity, absenteeism, and safety incidents without ever asking what all three have in common. Tim Thomas, a former Australian Special Forces soldier turned sleep specialist, argues the ans…
GA 645 | Why Leadership Is Failing with Keith Wyche [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:18
Trust in leadership has been declining for decades, and Keith Wyche has the research to prove it. A 40-year veteran of AT&T, IBM, and Walmart, Keith opened up to us about a few mistakes he’s made in his career. The real…
GA 644 | Defining Propaganda with Owen Fitzpatrick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:01
Most leaders assume that the right argument, delivered clearly, will change minds. Owen Fitzpatrick has spent 30 years studying why that assumption is wrong. A psychologist who has worked inside some of the world’s most…
GA 643 | Asking Better Questions with Kabrina Ashley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:53
Most organizations say they want high performers, yet quietly punish them for being too valuable to lose. Kabrina Ashley, a coach and behavioral science practitioner based in Nashville, makes the case that the real barri…
GA 642 | The Future of Work with Jonathan David Lewis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:54
Something fundamental has shifted in how people relate to work, and most leaders are still operating from a story that the workforce has already left behind. Jonathan David Lewis, president of brand strategy firm McKee W…
GA 641 | What Makes a Good Teammate with Eric Reveno [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:33
Most organizations spend enormous energy developing leaders and almost none developing teammates. Stanford Associate Head Men’s Basketball Coach Eric Reveno has spent 30 years watching what actually determines whether a…