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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.

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756 Articles

Nobody Washes a Rental Car

By Ron Pereira - September 16th, 2026

Quick question…have you ever washed a rental car before returning it? If you’re anything like me, the answer is almost certainly “of course not.” Most people wouldn’t bother washing a rental car for one si

You Are Not Standing Still

By Ron Pereira - September 9th, 2026

If you’re in a safe space and physically able…I’d like you to try something. Stand up, tilt your head back, and stand on your non-dominant foot (with your other foot off the ground). Easy enough, right? Most people ca

The Peculiar Longevity of Things Not So Bad

By Ron Pereira - September 2nd, 2026

I recently listened to a sermon by Fr. Mike Schmitz where he brought up something called the Region Beta Paradox. I had never heard of it before…but haven’t stopped thinking about it since! Here’s the idea in its orig

The Space Between Trigger and Response

By Ron Pereira - August 26th, 2026

The Multiple Perspective Advantage helps us step back, observe our emotional reactions, and respond with greater intention. This simple practice can improve leadership, problem solving, and psychological safety.

Kindness at Work: A Different Kind of Continuous Improvement

By Ron Pereira - August 19th, 2026

Could you ever imagine voluntarily giving one of your kidneys to a complete stranger? As it turns out, there are people who do exactly that. These extraordinary altruists go through surgery, willingly accept the pain and risk that come

Stop Worrying and Start Problem Solving

By Ron Pereira - August 12th, 2026

Worry is one of the least productive uses we can make of our minds. It’s also one of the least pleasant. I know this because I’ve struggled with worry throughout my life. Of course, this doesn’t imply we never have good reaso

Will We Remember How To Think?

By Ron Pereira - August 5th, 2026

AI tools can help us write, think, cook, work, and even parent better. But as we become increasingly dependent on them, are we slowly losing our ability to think for ourselves?

What Spills Out When the Pressure Is On?

By Ron Pereira - July 29th, 2026

What happens when your organization faces unexpected pressure? The response often reveals and amplifies the habits, relationships, and leadership behaviors that shape its culture.

Be Where Your Feet Are

By Ron Pereira - July 22nd, 2026

If you walk through almost any workplace, you’ll likely see it. A supervisor is talking with an employee while glancing at their phone. A manager attends a meeting but is already preparing for the next one. A leader conducts a Gemba

Why Some Leaders Grow Wiser

By Ron Pereira - July 15th, 2026

Experience alone doesn't produce wisdom. The leaders who continue to grow are the ones who intentionally seek lessons in every success, setback, and conversation. Here's why curiosity and reflection may be two of a leader's greatest st

Your Response Is Always a Choice

By Ron Pereira - July 8th, 2026

Every day presents leaders with situations they can't control. What they can control is how they respond. Inspired by Viktor Frankl's timeless insight, this article explores why our response, not our circumstances, is one of the most i

The Boy in the Back of the Bus

By Ron Pereira - July 1st, 2026

A simple invitation on a school bus changed my life forever. Inspired by the movie Wonder, this personal story explores why kindness may be one of the most overlooked leadership principles in Lean.

The Most Dangerous Improvement Project

By Ron Pereira - June 24th, 2026

Lean and Six Sigma practitioners are experts at improving processes, but often overlook the most important process of all: the conversation happening in their own minds. Discover how negative self-talk can influence performance and how

It Started with a Grey Bedsheet

By Ron Pereira - June 17th, 2026

Gemba Academy’s first “studio” was a spare bedroom with a grey bedsheet backdrop. This story is a reminder that meaningful work rarely starts perfectly. It starts when we stop waiting and begin.

Are You Too Old to Learn Something New?

By Ron Pereira - June 10th, 2026

The biggest barriers to growth are often the stories we tell ourselves. Learn how self-limiting beliefs shape performance, leadership, and continuous improvement.

What the Best Problem Solvers Know About Suffering

By Ron Pereira - June 3rd, 2026

Continuous improvement teaches us to solve problems, but not every hardship can be fixed. Sometimes the greatest opportunity for growth is learning how to suffer well.

The Illusion of Someday

By Ron Pereira - May 27th, 2026

Leadership isn't just about metrics and results. It's about investing in people. Discover why respect for people is one of the most important, and misunderstood, principles in Lean leadership.

Ego: The Quiet Enemy of Leadership

By Ron Pereira - May 20th, 2026

Ego often sounds reasonable in our own heads, but it can become one of the biggest obstacles to growth. Discover why humility and self-awareness are essential leadership skills.

changing tire on 635

Choosing Joy on the Side of I-635

By Ron Pereira - May 13th, 2026

Monday evening was one of those days that felt like a lifetime packed into a few short hours. It started in Steubenville, Ohio, at Franciscan University, where my daughter Brenna graduated from college this past weekend. As a father, t

Elite marathon runners competing in a race, illustrating high performance and endurance

Stop Looking for Faster Runners

By Ron Pereira - May 6th, 2026

A little over a week ago, something happened in the world of marathon running that many thought to be impossible. Two runners broke the two-hour marathon barrier. Not one…two! Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe finished in 1:59:30, just 11 sec

The Angel in the Marble

By Ron Pereira - April 29th, 2026

I recently came across a quote normally attributed to Michelangelo that I can’t stop thinking about. “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” Notice he didn’t say he built the angel. Instead,

Whispering Names, Remembering Blessings

By Ron Pereira - April 22nd, 2026

Disclaimer: This blog article is more personal in nature.  On Monday mornings at 6:00 am I spend an hour in the adoration chapel at my church. It’s a time for quiet contemplation and prayer. Normally, I find myself asking for th

Getting to 80%

By Ron Pereira - April 15th, 2026

I recently worked my way through a fantastic podcast between Arthur Brooks, a professor at the Harvard Business School, and Tim Ferriss. Brooks studies the idea of happiness and has written many books on the subject. While there were a

Occam’s Razor and Lean Thinking

By Ron Pereira - April 8th, 2026

Occam’s Razor is a principle that dates back to the 14th century and is attributed to the English Franciscan friar and philosopher William of Ockham. It simply says: When multiple explanations exist, start with the simplest one. Not

Is the Universe Working Against You, or For You?

By Ron Pereira - April 1st, 2026

I want you to imagine it’s Monday morning and you’re on your way to work. Everything’s going as well as can be expected in rush hour until, out of nowhere, some guy cuts right in front of you, causing you to slam on y

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