Transformational leadership qualities promote a healthy environment for . She was named the CEO of General Motors, assuming that position on January 15, 2014 making her the first ever female to head a major automobile manufacturing company. She has overseen drastic strategic changes, too. Anecdotal evidence provides a window into how Mary Barra has used inclusive leadership to garner employee advocates and improve business operations. 2. Its her leadership that sets the tone for the companys new path and modified corporate culture. Tips for Running a Successful Fulfilled by Amazon Business, http://www.centerforworklife.com/mary-barras-leadership/, https://www.wharton.upenn.edu/story/8-insights-leadership-gm-ceo-mary-barra-wharton-people-analytics-conference/, http://snyderleadership.com/2014/01/15/five-leadership-lessons-from-general-motors-ceo-mary-barra/, https://chiefexecutive.net/ceo1000-mary-barra/, https://www.coursehero.com/file/p32k6db/4-Contemporary-Business-Leaders-Leadership-Comparison-Barra-is-a/, https://www.iedp.com/articles/leadership-journeys-mary-barra/, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329416366_General_Motors_CEO_Mary_Barra_-_Leadership_style_analysis_Individual_assignment_-_Critical_essay. . An engineer by trade, General Motors (GM) CEO Mary Barra always looks for ways to improve situations and solve challenges. As a result, GM walloped Tesla by rolling out moderately priced, long-range electric vehicle. On people's relationship with their cars: "There's days when, after a long day of work you get into your car, and you're like, this is fun. Apparently, some of the higher-ups at GM knew this and did nothing for years. The same holds true for your business for your brand. There, she earned an MBA, before returning to work full time at General Motors. Pour en savoir plus sur notre utilisation de vos informations, veuillez consulter notre Politique relative la vie prive et notre Politique en matire de cookies. Mary Barra is good humored, yet serious in her job. In 23 years, shed gone from inspecting fenders to being in charge of worldwide product development. Her leadership style connects to a democratic leadership style where she makes sure everyone has an equal right to give their views. The ship had been steadied, but the storms were far from ended. Mary Barra's Leadership Mary Barra is the highest ranking woman in the automotive industry. She is quite humble and collaborative, keen to give all the credit to her team members rather than taking the limelight on herself. Continue ReadingDownload Free PDF. Mary Barra was about 10 when she first fell in love with a car. On December 2014, nearly a year into her tenure as CEO of General Motors, Mary Barra said GM basically does "one thing": "We build cars, trucks and crossovers." She has spent the years since then . Transformational change is the most challenging leadership strategy that can be adopted in business. In her speech at the Wharton People Analytics Conference, she said, really focusing on engaging with people, and making sure you do win their hearts and minds and how you empower them, I think has been key.. In an article by Stanford Alumni, John Calabrese, a coworker of Barra, said that I guess she kind of has a consensus approach, but when its not coming together, she gets concise and shes pretty decisive. Moreover, after being appointed as the new boss for GM, she decided to make all the GM cars safer than before whatever it takes. At the same time, they should discern which feedback is worth taking action on. I get to drive this home.". ( Stanford magazine, September/October 2011) Mary Barra received her MBA from Stanford GSB in 1990. By 1985, shed earned an electrical engineering degree. For example, in 2008 when GM fell into bankruptcy, she never doubted this company would survive and she believed they would go through this turmoil. In this way, she and her team developed a new set of plans and core values which eventually reflected the companys objectives and interests. Mary Barra is a role model for many. Barra, who rose through the ranks, is the highest-ranking female executive in the auto industry. Heading into 2017, the companys stock price remained low. She led GM out of it by being honest and dealing with the problem head-on. Intellectual Stimulation. During their conversation, she highlighted several principles and tips that have led to her success. She immediately acknowledged the problem. I am deeply sorry". Her leadership style encouraged all level employees to share information, helped them to perform better, and motivated them to achieve task objectives which later resulted in beneficial outcomes. Why is the UN Studying Solar Radiation Modification? Barra is proving her courage. Current Job Indeed, as the head of General Motors, she has not only made the car manufacturer accountable to past failed decisions, but also expanded GM into other economic sectors. This ones by far the simplest of habits. Too often, we find girls in middle school back away from math and science. And Barra inherited this colossal, lethal mess when she became the first female CEO of one of Detroit's Big Three. Alongside her father, who was a factory worker at GM, Barra started her career at the auto manufacturer when she was 18. It enables you to achieve almost anything, Barra said. Mary realized that changing the corporate culture was a necessity. The great man theory of leadership projected the perfect leader with masculine traits? Decision-Making Skill: When the time comes to a point for the final say, Mary Barra puts all her emotions aside and makes a clear-headed decision by using her skill. She then held several Global Vice President positions including Manufacturing Engineering, Human Resources and Product Development before being namedExecutive Vice President for Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply chain in 2013. Elon Musk, Reed Hastings, Mary Barra: A Guide to Leadership From the Covid-19 Crisis. It's Business And It's Personal: 4 Things To Seek In A Consulting Firm, 14 Common Myths That Persist In The Nonprofit Sector, Social Entrepreneur Spotlight: Gabrielle Wyatt Of The Highland Project, Conversations Across Generations: Shawn Dove And Seth Saeugling, Three Ways Philanthropy Can Bring America Together, Six Elements Of A Successful Strategic Partnership, 15 Exercises Leaders Can Use To Foster Appreciation For Team Diversity, 3 Tips To Improve Your Health & Well-Being From A Female Wellness Entrepreneur, addressing transformational leadership qualities, frequently visited stores across the country, intentionally skipping over the most qualified individuals, Steve Jobs had the Pixar building redesigned, you get a shot of the neurotransmitter oxytocin. During the 1998 General Motors strike, Mary Barra was appointed as the internal communications director to bridge the communication gap between union workers and the management. They genuinely care about not only their people, but their customers. This is how she won both their hearts and minds and became a successful leader. Like her tenure in her first five years, though, the company's accounts have been a roller coaster ride during this time. It is her vision, however, that is setting the stage for change. GM uses zero crashes, zero emissions to help all employees understand the focus of the organization. She knew if the solid foundation is being built based on the present time, then the future will automatically be taken care of. Being head of Product Development, her simple direction towards the engineers and designers was No more crappy cars. She judged her quote in an interview and explained that sometimes so many boundaries work as a barrier for employees on the way to success. With over 33 years of managerial experience at GM, Barra became the first female CEO of a major automaker in 2014. . Education: General Motors Institute (now Kettering University), BSc Electrical Engineering (1980-85) | Stanford University, MBA (1988-90), Work: All General Motors: Senior Plant Engineer (1985-88) | Senior Staff Engineer (1990-93) | Manager, Manufacturing (Midsize Car Division) (1993-96) | Executive Assistant to the Chairman (1996-99) | General Director, Internal Communications (1999-01) | Executive Director, Competitive Operations (2001-03) | Plant Manager, Detroit Hamtramck Assembly (2003-04) | Executive Director, Vehicle Manufacturing (2004-08) | Vice President, Global Manufacturing (2008-09) | Vice President, Global HR (2009-11) | Senior Vice President, Global Product Development (2011-13) | Executive Vice President, Global Product Development (2013-14) | CEO (2014-16) | CEO & Chairwoman (2016-Present). Be conscious of how you make the other person feel. Mary Barra exhibits an inclusive leadership style. Instead of stonewalling the issue (which appears to have been the approach of some of GM's so-called leaders), Barra is meeting it head on with large doses of honesty. Im a big believer if everyone has access to a great education, they can be their best self. Quick Learner: Barra always puts her priority in learning new things and developing her skills. Some of them were that of admiration while many were also of condemnation and callous criticism. The way she treated her staff with dignity and respect was truly amazing. It takes courage to be this honest and forthright. She sat for the interview. There are lots of lessons to learn for other leaders from her activities while she was acting as CEO of GM. With this communication flair, Barra was able to initiate a communications . She demonstrated transactional leader characteristics. Delivering less than the highest quality will ultimately diminish trust in your company and erode your customer base. She's admitting to the problem, owning it. Read More. But dont take my word for it. While students in Whartons MBA Program for Executives are busy with full-time jobs and school, we still have opportunities to participate in events across both campuses. and more. Leadership Journeys - Mary Barra. Once she receives diverse input, she gauges the efficacy of all ideas and provides feedback. In her 38 years at GM, Barra has been an executive assistant, plant manager, product developer, and HR leader, among other roles before she became CEO. GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra addresses investors Oct. 6, 2021 at the GM Tech Center in Warren, Michigan . Such as . This article is part of our Leadership Studies series, an insight and analysis into the makeup and model of some of the world's most successful leaders. Barra has attributed her success to being honest, understanding the companys dynamics, allowing people to air their views, and prioritizing the needs of the customers and the company. She's a company lifer at a time when many executives jump around every few years as they climb the corporate ladder. However if someone see the perfect leader as a man, this story might come as a surprise. Put the safest, highest-quality cars on the road. Bastian and Barra discussed a range of topics from all-electric ambitions and a more sustainable future, inclusion and building up young women in STEM, to personal reflections on leadership during challenges. The government-approved leadership tapped Barra in July 2009 to run the humbled company's human resources division. . Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, found herself in the center of a recall crisis due to fatal malfunctions of older vehicles just months after stepping into the role in 2014. Slectionnez Grer les paramtres pour grer vos prfrences. Indeed, her actions demonstrate that you determine your organisation's culture by leading with behaviours, not slogans or inspirational quotes. In the commencement speech she delivered at Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2016, she said, As leaders, we have an obligation to act responsibly and courageously for people and the planet, because our actions have long-term effects on the generations that come after us. This is a BETA experience. Upon graduating high school, Mary became a co-op student attending the General Motors Institute now the Kettering University and working in the Pontiac plant inspecting hood and fender panels. What did Mary Barra learn from leadership jiu jitsu? Mary Barra is a resilient and an exceptional leader, who does whatever it takes to help her company achieve success. Mary Barra always makes a decision based on each team members input. Moreover, in the top positions she is in now, she adds further new skill set in her portfolio. While rising through the ranks in GM, she moved through communications, human resources, operations, and management. There truly are not any overnight success stories at least not any that havelongevity. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. I. Whats more, when someone else sees you smile, it activates the medial basotemporal lobes in their brain, which facilitates congruent facial movements, meaning they smile back at you and experience the same positive mood-boosting effects. Some people, so it seems, are born to follow a specific path to fulfill a purpose. Moving forward, Barra's objective is to ensure the entire workforce, from the top of the food chain all the way down to entry-level interns, aligns on values. The manager presents ideas and invites questions 4. Whether you are the owner of a startup that has a handful of staff, or the head of a multinational corporation that employs thousands of workers worldwide, there are plenty of core leadership lessons to take from Mary Barra. From every angle, the servant leader philosophy is a fundamental component of Mary Barra's decision-making. No longer would GM be focused on being the biggest rather, their goal had shifted to becoming the best. In association with, Top-ranked manufacturer in the 23rd annual Automotive Loyalty Awards, Best Gorgeous Costume Design 2018 at the 2018 Motor Show in Thailand, North American Chevrolet Colorado with Thai-Built DURAMAX Engine Wins MOTOR TREND 2016 Truck of the Year, Listening to Customers wins Chevrolet three 'Car of the Year 2015' awards, All GM brands in the top 10 in the Benchmark Dependability Study, GM named one of the 2015 'Top Companies for Executive Women' by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE). An expert inmanaging risk, leading by example and taking advantage of conflict for the benefit of her organisation, there is plenty to learn from Mary Barra's leadership style. Idealized Influence denotes the leader's function as an ideal role model for followers. 3) Preparation. She has also had to endure one of the biggest headaches of any corporate executive: 48,000 workers going on strike for 40 days. It was a red Chevy Camaro convertible, late-'60s vintage, driven by her older cousin. Your email address will not be published. Here are some of the numbers to examine her success: Based on numbers, Barra's record as head of GM has been mixed. She also knew that to do so, the focus had to be on changed behavior beginning with her own. Then in January 2011, CEO Daniel Akerson named her head of global product . Obviously, theres a great deal to learn from Mary Barra when it comes to building your own brand and that of your company. , In business, disruptors have existed for centuries. Ive only come to identify it through researching transformational leadership and my work with leaders across a range of industries. Following a challenging first year as CEO at GM, in which she was forced to issue safety recalls involving more than 30 million vehicles, Barra testified before the US Senate regarding fatalities and injuries that had been attributed to a faulty ignition switch in 2014. Employees not only were safe from negative reaction for reporting issues they would be rewarded. At this point, we can comfortably conclude that transformational leadership is a factor crucial in businesses. The transformational leadership style is a leadership style where leaders look to cause a change in their teams organizationally and socially. What HP's Big Move Can Teach Entrepreneurs. In her 38 years at GM, Barra has been an executive assistant, plant manager, product developer, and HR leader, among other roles before she became CEO. Quality was stressed at every level. She is also the first female CEO of any major global car manufacturing company. This article is part of our Leadership Studies series, an insight and analysis into the makeup and model of some of the world's most successful leaders. GameStop undergoes makeover as 8 board members leave, Leadership and 10 Great Leaders from History. Mary has made a name in helping GM to hire workers with diverse skills and talents. (1.25 Marks ) (Min words 200) Differences between Credit Card and Debit Card, 12 Important Considerations for Buying a Home in Navarre. 1 Transformational Leadership: Case Study of Mary Barra (CEO General Motors Company) University Affiliation Course Name and Number Instructor's Name Assignment Due Date 2 Transformational Leadership: Case Study of Mary Barra (CEO General Motors Company) Mary Barra is an embodiment of reason and the best role model for a transformational/inclusive leadership (Colby, 2015, p. 25). . Leadership Next. Put in the time do the work Mary Barra is certainly a lifer at GM. She did it by bidding farewell to outmoded operations and prioritizing innovation. While they are in fact opposite approaches to leadership, both offer advantages and are important styles of leadership to understand and apply in certain types of situations.. A leader may naturally gravitate towards either the transactional or transformational side in . This is the process of discovering, embracing and delivering their greatest value which allows them to realize greater profit. Pragmatic optimism means youre not blind to risks or obstacles, but you self-regulate negative thinking so youre not hindered by it and instead are empowered to take considered action. Besides these, there are few leadership traits which she possesses. Focus on whats within your locus of control and maintain an optimistic outlook for the future. Education is one of GMs core giving priorities. 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