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What separates a good company from a truly great organization?

In this episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, George and Dr. Tom Lawless explore powerful lessons from Lean Leadership, Toyota’s philosophy, and the principles behind Good to Great.

This conversation dives deep into:

✅ Why great companies start with passion for the customer
✅ The difference between “and” thinking vs. “or” thinking
✅ Why innovation comes from experimentation at the Gemba
✅ How people are your only appreciating asset
✅ What it takes to build a strong, coherent, cohesive culture
✅ Practical reflection questions you can apply this week

If you want to move from knowing about leadership… to actually practicing it… this episode is for you.

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the Leadership Excellence Podcast
00:32 – Jeff Liker on The Toyota Way & Lean Philosophy
01:06 – Lean Thinking vs. Traditional Mass Production
02:18 – Respect for People & Continuous Improvement
04:23 – Level 5 Leadership & Good to Great
05:36 – What Makes Companies Truly Great
06:01 – Passion for the Customer
07:12 – Building a Legacy Beyond Yourself
09:35 – “And Thinking” vs. “Or Thinking”
10:07 – Innovation Through Experimentation
10:38 – What is Gemba?
11:01 – People Are the Only Appreciating Asset
12:09 – Strong, Coherent, Cohesive Culture
12:32 – Tom & George: What Does “Good to Great” Really Mean?
15:28 – Productivity AND Quality (Not One or the Other)
17:39 – Why Developing People Takes Longer Than Fixing Processes
19:21 – How Leadership Shapes Culture
20:55 – One Hour Listening vs. Twenty Hours Doing
21:23 – Reflection Question #1: Customer First
24:06 – What Is Value? (From the Customer’s Perspective)
25:20 – How to Surprise & Delight Customers
28:47 – Quality vs. Productivity Debate
34:02 – Go to the Gemba: Lead with Your Feet
38:11 – Run Small Experiments This Week
41:03 – Are Your People Growing Under Your Leadership?
47:17 – What Legacy Are You Building?
52:39 – What Action Will You Take This Week?
56:46 – Leadership Growth Commitments from

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv

Send us a text

Season 2, Episode 2

Beyond the Goal with Mark Fujiwara

What happens when achievement isn’t enough?

In this episode of the Leadership Excellence Podcast, George Trachilis and Dr. Tom Lawless are joined by Mark Fujiwara for a powerful conversation that goes beyond traditional goal‑setting and performance. Together, they explore the deeper work of leadership—identity, purpose, mental fitness, and who we become as we pursue success.

Mark shares his personal journey through loss, transition, and growth, and explains why the Harada Method resonated with him when other goal‑setting systems fell short. The discussion touches on wabi‑sabi and embracing imperfection, daily discipline, community, and the importance of working on the person before chasing the outcome.

This episode is especially relevant for leaders, entrepreneurs, veterans, and high achievers who are questioning what’s next—or sensing that something more meaningful is required.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why goals alone don’t create fulfillment or sustainability
• How identity and purpose shape long‑term performance
• The role of daily practice and mental fitness in leadership
• Why community and accountability accelerate growth
• How embracing imperfection can unlock human potential

🎙️ Leadership Excellence Podcast
📅 New episodes recorded weekly

Leadership isn’t just about reaching the goal—it’s about who you become on the way there.

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv

Send us a text

Create a Meaningful Goal

Subtitle: Why Purpose-Driven Leadership Begins With How You See Yourself

What if the key to better leadership—and better results—starts with creating a goal that actually means something?

In this powerful podcast conversation, Dr. Tom Lawless, George Trachilis, and Dr. Vance Cooper Jr. explore what it truly means to create a meaningful goal and why so many goals fail to inspire lasting change. Recorded on January 21, 2026, this episode challenges the traditional idea that leadership is about titles or positions and instead reframes leadership as a personal responsibility we all carry.

Dr. Vance Cooper Jr. shares insights rooted in the belief that everyone is leading someone, whether they realize it or not. The discussion dives into how purpose-driven goals shape daily habits, influence decision-making, and help leaders serve others more effectively. From relatable personal stories to practical reflections on motivation and consistency, this conversation highlights how meaningful goals don’t just drive performance—they help people sleep better at night because they’re aligned with who they are.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why leadership starts with self-awareness, not authority
• How meaningful goals create clarity, accountability, and follow-through
• The connection between purpose, service, and sustainable leadership
• Simple mindset shifts that turn everyday actions into leadership moments

If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, coach, or anyone striving to grow with intention, this episode will help you rethink how you set goals—and why meaning matters more than metrics.

👉 Anyone interested in following Dr. Vance Cooper Jr.’s leadership journey and ongoing work is encouraged to join the app at ow64.com.

🎙️ Listen in, reflect deeply, and start creating goals that truly stick.

Join Dr. Tom Lawless and George Trachilis every week for the Leadership Excellence Podcast LIVE! Be part of a growing global community of leaders dedicated to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement. Sessions are recorded every Wednesday at 4:30 PM CST, and everyone is welcome to listen in, learn, and engage with others who share a passion for leadership growth.

Simply visit LeadershipX.tv and register using the link at the top right corner of the homepage to receive your exclusive meeting access. We love having new faces join the conversation each week!

To help us ensure a smooth and focused live recording, please remember to STAY ON MUTE 🔇 and KEEP YOUR VIDEO OFF 🎥 until the hosts invite audience participation at the end of the session.

Every episode is a chance to grow, reflect, and strengthen your leadership mindset. Come learn alongside Tom and George as they explore timeless principles, share stories from the Gemba, and discuss the habits that define true leadership excellence.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. Lead Better — at LeadershipX.tv