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 619 | Don’t Walk By a Mess with Chad Bareither [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:50
This week's guest is Chad Bareither. Ron and Chad discussed making culture changes in the workplace, powerful aspects of Japanese culture, the importance of cleaning up, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is…
GA 618 | MORE Is Better with Kathy Miller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:02
This week's guest is Kathy Miller. Ron and Kathy discussed manufacturing, Kathy's new book "MORE Is Better," optimism, psychological safety, and the art of making high-quality connections. An MP3 audio version of this ep…
GA 617 | What Alignment Looks Like with Hanna Bauer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:09
This week's guest is Hanna Bauer. Ron and Hanna discussed the role of emotional intelligence in success, balancing empathy and accountability, navigating love languages, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is…
GA 616 | Teaching Lean with Noah Waech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:56
This week's guest is Noah Waech. Ron and Noah discussed Noah's experiences teaching lean, what happens when things don't go as planned, Value Stream Mapping, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available fo…
GA 615 | Radical Product Thinking with Radhika Dutt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:20
This week's guest is Radhika Dutt. Ron and Radhika discussed OKRs, Toyota Kata, the target mentality, the OHLA puzzle framework, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this epis…
GA 614 | Getting Lean to Stick with Joel Hugghins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:21
This week's guest is Joel Hugghins. Ron and Joel discussed dealing with CAVE people, intellectual property, getting lean to stick, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this ep…
GA 613 | Revealing Hidden Truths with Billy Taylor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:23
This week we're ringing in the New Year with Billy Taylor. Ron and Billy discussed strategy and KPAs, hidden truths, clarity, being hard on the process, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for dow…
GA 612 | Gratitude, Giving, and Growth with the Gemba Academy Team [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:47
This week, we're sharing a special Christmas episode featuring insights from the Gemba Academy team. Each individual answered the question: What does continuous improvement mean to you in your own life? An MP3 audio vers…