The Boy in the Back of the Bus

By Ron Pereira Updated on June 29th, 2026

My family and I recently rewatched the movie Wonder. We’ve seen it a number of times over the years, and every time we watch it, I’m deeply moved.

If you haven’t seen it (you should!), it’s the story of a young boy named Auggie Pullman who was born with a rare genetic condition that affects his facial appearance. After years of being homeschooled, he attends public school for the first time.

Many of his classmates initially judge him by his appearance, but the kindness of two of his classmates begins to change everything, not only for Auggie, but for the entire school.

What’s This Got to Do with Lean?

But the reason I decided to write about the movie on this blog, which focuses on all things continuous improvement, is simple. Kindness, I believe, is way underrated in our movement even though there are folks like Karyn Ross doing incredible work on this very topic.

In fact, if I may be so bold, I think we lean thinkers like to hide behind our “respect for people” banners as a substitute for talking, specifically, about kindness.

Now, please don’t lose the plot here: respect for people is absolutely critical. And, yes, kindness is often at the core of deeply respecting people.

But words are important, so I think it would do our movement well to ensure kindness is spoken of more clearly and deliberately.

Throwing up on the School Bus

As I reflected on this movie, I pondered why it had such an impact on me. I mean tears flow almost every time I watch it. After some quiet reflection, I figured it out.

While my childhood was nothing like the one Auggie lives in the movie, I did have a really tough time in 7th grade. We had recently moved to a different house, and this meant I’d have to ride the school bus every morning. Obviously, this shouldn’t have been a big deal… but it was.

You see, I suffered from severe motion sickness as a kid and would often throw up in the car. And, unfortunately, this played out on the school bus every morning. In fact, as I got on the bus each morning, the bus driver, bless her soul, would hand me a plastic grocery bag and I’d take my place in the seat directly behind her. I remember this like it was yesterday.

And, every day, I’d throw up into that plastic bag and the other kids would do their best to sit as far away from me as possible. Heck, who could blame them?

This went on for many weeks. I dreaded getting on that darn bus more than anything in my young life. This is why what happened next was especially shocking. But let me set the scene with some important facts.

The Coolest Kid on the Bus

My neighbor, Jeff, also rode the bus. He was the polar opposite of me. He was literally, and I am not making this up, the high school varsity quarterback with the most beautiful varsity cheerleader girlfriend a high school boy could dream of. Jeff also sat alone in the back seat on the right side of the bus.

Ok, now that the scene is set, allow me to tell you what ultimately changed my young life.

It all happened on a normal school day. I was at the bus stop, along with Jeff, and as I was about to get onto the bus to take my seat behind the driver, Jeff asked me the most shocking question my young mind could have imagined.

He asked if I wanted to sit in the back with him. My eyes nearly popped out of my head at the question, and I eventually mumbled, “Um, ah, ok.”

Jeff got on the bus first, and I followed. The sweet bus driver slipped me my grocery bag, and I made my way to the back of the bus.

Kindness is Powerful

Once seated, I didn’t know what to do or say. Luckily Jeff broke the ice, and we started chatting. I don’t remember what we talked about…but what is indelibly burned into my brain is the feeling I had when I looked up and saw us pulling up to my school and I hadn’t thrown up!

In fact, I continued to sit with Jeff in the back of the bus for the rest of the school year, and I never threw up again.

Please Be Kind

After some research, I learned that the story of Auggie Pullman is fiction, although it was heavily influenced by some real-life stories and situations.

But my school bus story is most definitely true. In fact, I don’t remember many details from my 7th grade year of school, but I remember those bus rides with absolute clarity. I remember the anxiety. I remember the humiliation. But, mostly, I remember the incredible, life-changing power of kindness Jeff extended to me.

So, to close this article, I can’t think of a better way than by sharing the powerful words young Auggie says towards the end of the movie: “Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle.”

Ron Pereira

Ron Pereira is a co-founder and the Managing Director of Gemba Academy and has more than 30 years of experience helping organizations improve performance through Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement. Prior to starting Gemba Academy, Ron served in a variety of manufacturing, supply chain, and leadership roles, including process engineer, engineering manager, Master Black Belt, and director of manufacturing and continuous improvement. Today, Ron works with leaders around the world to develop problem-solving capabilities, strengthen leadership, and build cultures where continuous improvement thrives. Through his writing, podcast interviews, and educational programs, he shares practical insights that help organizations achieve lasting operational excellence.

Rick Foreman
July 1, 2026 - 9:08 am
Reply

As you know, I love this subject. For the past few years, we’ve spent a significant amount of time coaching on the difference between “kind” and “nice.” The difference in our CI world or the world in general is significant. Sometimes the most kind thing is an authentic and transparent conversation. Unfortunately being nice sometimes sabotages getting to the deeper levels of real connection, support and engagement. Kindness and gratefulness delivered authentically are super powers.