GA 641 | What Makes a Good Teammate with Eric Reveno

GA 641 | What Makes a Good Teammate with Eric Reveno

Author: Ron Pereira: Lean Thinker & Co-Founder of Gemba Academy July 16, 2026 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 team wins or collapses, and his answer is not the coach. The conversation moves from college basketball to NIL compensation to Michael Jordan to what you should do first when you walk into a struggling team. The thread running through all of it is the same uncomfortable idea: the people in the room are more responsible for the culture than anyone standing at the front of it.

In this episode you’ll learn:

  • The quote that reframes what culture actually is (3:19)
  • Why leadership is overtaught and teammate behavior is undertaught (6:07)
  • What NIL is and why it changed the dynamics of building a team (13:52)
  • What showing up as a great teammate actually looks like day to day (18:35)
  • Whether a player like Michael Jordan was truly a good teammate (21:55)
  • Why talent alone does not produce connection on a team (27:24)
  • How to identify and address the real problems when a team is struggling (30:15)
  • Why every person’s ability to change their future depends on being a great teammate (33:49)

“Everyone’s true agency and true ability to change their future and create the world they want, it lies in their ability to be a great teammate.” – Eric Reveno

Keep Learning

If Eric’s point about teammate behavior being undertaught resonated, the School of Leadership is a direct next step for practitioners who want to build the kind of team culture he describes rather than just study it.
Learn More About School of Leadership at https://www.gembaacademy.com/leadership

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What Do You Think?

In your organization, who carries more responsibility for the team’s culture: the leader at the front of the room, or the teammates deciding what they will and will not tolerate?


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
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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…