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 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.