The best leaders in America are rarely the loudest.
They’re the builders, operators, and problem-solvers quietly transforming industries, teams, and communities every day.
Progress beats perfection.
Our guests are practitioners. They’ve built it, run it, or fixed it.
The 96% Perfect Podcast features candid conversations with leaders who are building teams, solving hard problems, and driving change where it matters most.
Hosted by Lisa Thomas, President & CEO of Peak Performance, Inc., the show goes past polished talking points to the real stories behind leadership, culture, workforce development, operations, technology, and growth in manufacturing.
No panels. No scripts. Just honest conversations with people doing the work every day.
The name comes from a simple belief: progress beats perfection. The leaders changing the world aren’t waiting for perfect conditions. They move forward, solve problems, and build great teams anyway.
New episodes every week. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or find the full archive at 96percentperfect.com.
Every episode ends with the 96% Moment, a closing reflection from each guest.
Lisa Thomas
Host · President & CEO, Peak Performance, Inc.
I’m Lisa Thomas, President & CEO of Peak Performance, Inc., and the host of The 96% Perfect Podcast. I started my career at Toyota, where I learned to optimize across the entire process flow. I’ve spent 30 years in supply chain, procurement, and operations since.
I earned my PMP, PMI-ACP, and Certified Six Sigma Black Belt later in my career. My why hasn’t changed: to serve and to help others and to solve highly complex problems.
On the show, I sit down with operators who have built or fixed something real, and I ask them how it works.
Questions, answered.
What is The 96% Perfect Podcast?
The 96% Perfect Podcast features candid conversations with leaders who are building teams, solving hard problems, and driving change where it matters most. Hosted by Lisa Thomas, President & CEO of Peak Performance, Inc. A new episode comes out every week, and 48 leaders have been featured so far.
Who hosts The 96% Perfect Podcast?
Lisa Thomas, President & CEO of Peak Performance, Inc. She started her career at Toyota, has spent 30 years in supply chain, procurement, and operations, and holds PMP, PMI-ACP, and Certified Six Sigma Black Belt certifications.
Why is it called 96% Perfect?
The name comes from a simple belief: progress beats perfection. The leaders changing the world aren’t waiting for perfect conditions. They move forward, solve problems, and build great teams anyway.
What topics does the show cover?
People, operating systems, and technology. People covers leadership, culture, and workforce development. Operating systems covers operations, operational excellence, and supply chain. Technology covers bringing smart technology into operations and making it stick.
Who are the guests?
Our guests are practitioners. They’ve built it, run it, or fixed it. They are CEOs, presidents, operations and plant leaders, supply chain executives, and founders from 15 industries, including manufacturing, consulting and professional services, technology and AI, and food and beverage.
How long are the episodes?
Most episodes run 30 to 60 minutes.
How often do new episodes come out?
Every week. The newest episode is always at the top of the Episodes page.
Where can I listen?
On Spotify, or right here: every episode plays on the Episodes page.
How can I be a guest on the show?
Book a 15-minute exploratory call on the Be On The Show page, or send a written pitch with the form there.
Real conversations about real work.
Every episode digs into people, operating systems, or technology: how leaders build teams, run better operations, and make new tools stick. Pick a topic to filter the archive.
Have a story worth telling? Let’s talk.
If you’re building your own transformation journey inside your organization, reach out. We might be sharing your story next on The 96% Perfect Podcast.