GA 642 | The Future of Work with Jonathan David Lewis

GA 642 | The Future of Work with Jonathan David Lewis

Author: Ron Pereira: Lean Thinker & Co-Founder of Gemba Academy July 23, 2026 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 Wallwork and author of The Rebuilders, makes the case that the old shared narrative of careers, retirement, and institutional trust has fractured. What comes next depends entirely on whether leaders choose to rebuild it.

In this episode you’ll learn:

  • What forgetting obvious things costs a leader over time (2:34)
  • Why Jonathan wrote a daily reader instead of a conventional leadership book (5:05)
  • How the shared story of work collapsed and what replaced it (8:14)
  • What TFS reveals about the current workforce’s relationship to the future (11:41)
  • Why counter-trends in the trades and faith communities signal a rebuilding moment (16:29)
  • How the shift from print-first to digital-first thinking is reshaping the workforce (19:30)
  • What inside-out leadership means when the burden gets heavy (24:41)
  • Whether optimism is a feeling or a daily choice (28:30)
  • Why the era of postmodernism is over and what younger generations are seeking instead (30:41)

“When you see the crack, look for the light that’s being let in.” – Jonathan David Lewis

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If Jonathan’s argument about inside-out leadership resonated, the School of Leadership offers a structured way to develop the character and practices that sustain that kind of work over time.
Learn More About School of Leadership at https://www.gembaacademy.com/leadership

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What Do You Think?

In your organization, which part of the old story of work is your team still holding onto, and what would it look like to rebuild something more honest in its place?


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 639 | Putting the Customer First with Slaytor Baldwin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:30
A suppressor manufacturer in Utah started its lean transformation about a year ago. Twelve months later, inventory turns had doubled, changeover time dropped from 3.5 hours to 9 minutes, and a rollout planned for a year…
GA 638 | Separating Risk from Being Reckless with George Barrios [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 betwe…
GA 637 | Developing Organizational Maturity with Norman Wolfe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:38
Most organizations have the systems. They have the processes, the KPIs, the structured meetings, the strategic plans. And they are still stuck. Norman Wolfe has spent decades helping leadership teams understand why, and…
GA 636 | Taking Control of Your Life with Joel Steele [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:37
Most people trying to improve their lives are doing it without a clear picture of what they are building toward. For Joel Steele, a near-miss with prison forced him to start making different choices. His book "Life Switc…
GA 635 | Emotions Are Not the Enemy with D. Earl Johnston [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:07
Most continuous improvement practitioners are trained to prize logic and treat emotion as noise in the system. D. Earl Johnston spent nine years and thousands of research hours across twelve disciplines discovering that…
GA 634 | Doubling Profits in 90 Days with Ben Hansen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:41
This week's guest is Ben Hansen. Ron and Ben discussed how Ben helps companies improve their profit margins, dealing with "profititis," shifting your focus from revenue to profitability, and more. An MP3 audio version of…
GA 633 | Be Curious and Seek Knowledge with Andy Olrich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:41
This week's guest is Andy Olrich. Ron and Andy discussed the roles of people and tools in continuous improvement, what NOT to do when building a lean culture, teaching younger generations, and more. An MP3 audio version…
GA 632 | Performance Unleashed with Chris Libutti [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:25
This week's guest is Chris Libutti. Ron and Chris discussed Chris and his wife Yamila's book, "Performance Unleashed," his time in the military, the importance of self-discipline, and more. An MP3 audio version of this e…
GA 631 | What We Can Learn from Tetris with Michael Parent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:33
This week's guest is Michael Parent. Ron and Michael discussed an interesting AI conundrum, the impact that systems and design have on performance, Michael's Tetris experiment, and more. An MP3 audio version of this epis…
GA 630 | Why Tone Matters with Shahab Shah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:05
This week's guest is Shahab Shah. Ron and Shahab discussed the importance of balancing human empathy with the demands of reality, why tone matters, first steps for making improvements, and more. An MP3 audio version of t…