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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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751 Articles

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

Do Buffalo Really Run Toward Storms?

By Ron Pereira - March 25th, 2026

You may have heard the story before. When a storm rolls across the plains, buffalo don’t run away from it…they run into it. The idea is that by facing the storm head-on, they get through it faster than if they tried to outrun it. I

The Unglamorous Power of Routine

By Ron Pereira - March 18th, 2026

You might be wondering about the picture I chose for this article. Obviously, it’s nothing fancy, just a pair of shoes sitting on a gym bag. But to me, this image represents something very important: the quiet, unglamorous power

The Hidden Enemy of Continuous Improvement

By Ron Pereira - March 11th, 2026

If you’ve been practicing continuous improvement long enough, you’ve almost certainly heard one, possibly all, of these statements: We tried that before. That won’t work here. We’re different. Management won’t approve it. Tha

Why Working Longer Often Leads to Getting Less Done

By Ron Pereira - March 4th, 2026

It seems logical that if you want to accomplish more, you should work longer. More hours should equal more output, right? Interestingly enough, at least for me, I’ve often experienced the opposite. There have been times when I spend

Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?

By Ron Pereira - December 3rd, 2025

Every year around this time, I find myself reflecting on what truly matters for organizational success. What actually moves us forward versus what just keeps us busy. And recently, one powerful metaphor keeps coming back to me: rowing.

Leading Through the Paradox: Lessons from James Stockdale

By Ron Pereira - November 6th, 2025

The older I get, the more I find myself reflecting on the many lessons I’ve learned both professionally and, especially, personally. One of these lessons is realizing that the toughest leadership and personal growth moments often com

Do Hard Things

By Ron Pereira - October 20th, 2025

There’s an ancient story about Odysseus and the island of the Lotus Eaters. When Odysseus and his men arrived there, they were offered lotus flowers that made them forget their purpose. Those who ate the lotus lost their desire t

The Discipline of Presence: Lessons from My Son and Eminem

By Ron Pereira - October 15th, 2025

Have you ever caught yourself sitting at the dinner table…physically there, but mentally still stuck in a meeting, an email thread, or tomorrow’s to-do list? Yeah, me too. It’s easy to live life half-present these days. Our bodie

Cold Plunges and Continuous Improvement: Growth in Discomfort

By Ron Pereira - October 1st, 2025

I’ve been doing cold plunges for the last few weeks. If you’re not familiar with the process, here’s how it works. I jump into 50-degree (Fahrenheit) water and sit for a few minutes. If you’ve ever done a cold plunge, y

Turning Conflict into Growth: 7 Steps Every Emotionally Intelligent Leader Should Know

By Ron Pereira - August 5th, 2025

Let’s face it—conflict is inevitable. Whether you’re leading a lean transformation or coaching a team through change, friction will arise. And that’s not always a bad thing. In fact, handled well, conflict can spark creativity,

gratitude

The Timeless Power of Gratitude

By Ron Pereira - December 20th, 2024

As the year winds to a close, it’s natural to pause and reflect on the moments that shaped us. Some bring joy, others bring challenges, but I believe one thing—gratitude—can and should be our anchor. And when I speak of gratitude

Consolation and Desolation: Lessons from St. Ignatius for Business Leaders

By Ron Pereira - November 15th, 2024

Life is full of highs and lows, peaks and valleys, victories and struggles. St. Ignatius of Loyola, a 16th-century saint and founder of the Jesuits, deeply understood this rhythm of life. His teachings on consolation and desolation—t

How Micro-Goals Helped Me Conquer a Hill (And Can Help You Too)

By Ron Pereira - September 3rd, 2024

I went for a 2-mile run with my 13-year-old son yesterday. I do quite a bit of cardio work several times a week, but I rarely run, so I was curious about how I’d do. I’m happy to report it went quite well. Both of us made it throug

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