The Automotive Leaders Podcast

In this episode, we explore the technology culture Aled has successfully led his entire career, specifically, how to create a high-performance team in an environment that demands fast-paced change and constant innovation in order to survive.Listen for the Welsh Star Wars connection!Click here for more on Sauce Labs03:00 Aled’s story10:07 Authentic leadership15:14 Creating the high-performance team22:12 Starting the day31:51 The Auto industry through the eyes of a tech guy37:19 Innovation culture45:01 The vine of trust54:46 Advise to your 25 yr old self58:00 Being a Welsh Government envoy & the Star Wars connection

Download the 21 traits of authentic leadership e book This is a solo episode produced to share my personal authentic leadership journey with you. You'll hear about the origins of Dream it, Brand it, Own it, the power of storytelling, why I wished I started speaking up in meetings - sooner, embracing the gray and the milestone photoshoot with Brad Ziegler. 

Dr. Steve Taubman, aka The Anxiety Doc is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and coach. In this episode, you’ll hear how an ex-neurotic, ex-Long Island chiropractor underwent a personal life transformation that led to his helping others discover the keys to their success and, how all of this relates to your authentic leadership journey.More on Dr. Steve Taubman2:27     His story12:16   Experiences as the MTV spring break hypnotist16:43   Nerves that fire together, wire together20:27   Making micro corrections24:29   Fear interrupts the flow32:08   Clean up your act40:48   Wash one dish45:00   Energy50:25   Advice to your 25 yr. old self52:32   The legacy

From spacesuits to trucks across multiple timezones, Tim Fiore speaks not only about his craft in the world of the supply chain, but he is also the spokesman for a key economic indicator known as the  Manufacturing Business Survey (PMI®)Tim makes the case for authentic leadership and is grounded by his humanity, caring, and respect for his people, the business, and all of its stakeholders.02:03 Janet Yellen can dance!03:32 Tim’s story12:41 The evolution of the supply chain15:20 Lessons from the Pandemic22:00 Embracing WFH29:41 The high-performance team40:29 Innovation46:28 Transparency51:36 Respect55:25 Advice to your 25-year-old self1:00:59 What is Gravitas?1:02:07 The Legacy

Clint Bruce is a former Navy Special Warfare Officer, a graduate of the US Naval Academy, decorated athlete, former NFL player, and seasoned entrepreneur. He is dedicated to helping leaders protect, perform, endure, and compete while helping veterans and their families transition successfully from service.In this episode Clint shares lessons from the ballfield, the battlefield, and the boardroom (and the farm)Clint is humble, authentic, inspirational, and REAL – Enjoy!Check out this link  https://www.clintbruce.com01:58 – Clint’s story05:10 – Wisdom from the farm20:00 – The Todd Ballard connection and “building high ground for hard days”29:00 – Vulnerability in the Special Ops team32:00 – Learning and performing at the same time34:10 – Are you climbing the right ridgeline?38:00 – Authentic leadership45:00 - Trust47:05 – Advice to your 25-year-old self49:04 – Asking the difficult questions52:00 – Open door policy – do you really have it?56:30 – High-performing team, tactical and moral58:49 - Gravitas1:00:03 – Starting the day1:04:00 – The legacy

In this short bonus episode, I'll share with you ideas you can implement immediately to help re-energize your team and prepare for 2021

The leadership journey of the Tennessee boy who thought he’d made it when he became a design & release engineer for General Motors, he was wrong, that was just the beginning. Meet the man who progressed from GM to Maytag to become the Senior Vice President and President for Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Life Sciences Solutions and Laboratory Products business, and in April 2019 appointed as a member of the DuPont Board of Directors and was recently named one of the most influential people in the fight against COVID 1903:31 – Fred’s story09:41 – Keeping the edge14:23 – Do you stay or leave the plant when COVID19 hits?17:16 –  Creating the high-performance team20:46 – Tearing down the walls23:47 – Getting to trust27:34 – Diversity & inclusion29:59 - Reverse mentoring31:25 – The Pandemic – what we’ve learned34:51 – Speed at scale39:45 – Gravitas50:55 – Starting the day55:09 – Advice to your 25yr old self59:57 – The board member perspective1:03:55 – The legacy

Season 2 launches with studio upgrades and a new look.In this episode, Jan talks about the 21 traits of authentic leadership compiled from Season 1 along with a sneak peek at the guest line up for Season 2

Sign up for The Automotive Leaders Letter In its debut season, the "Automotive Leaders Podcast," hosted by Jan Griffiths, takes you on a journey to explore the essence of authentic leadership. With a diverse array of guests, Jan leads you through conversations highlighting the significance of staying true to oneself in a corporate world where authenticity often takes a backseat. You'll encounter inspiring stories and profound perspectives from various leaders throughout the season. They collectively emphasize the importance of upholding one's values and consistently delivering one's personal best despite the competitive games and ego-driven behaviors that often plague the corporate world.&nbsp;Notably, the podcast explores the critical role of leaders during crises, drawing from real-life experiences like the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These stories exemplify how authentic leadership truly shines when facing adversity. Beyond leadership, the season also addresses pressing societal issues, including the profound impact of the Black Lives Matter movement. This broader perspective extends authentic leadership to encompass general social and moral responsibilities, underscoring the significance of leaders engaging in these essential dialogues. As the season concludes, it imparts valuable wisdom, providing a clear understanding of the fundamental principles of authentic leadership.Themes discussed in this episode:Authentic leadershipValue of continuous learning and adaptabilityLeadership during crisesSocietal issues and responsibilitiesDifferent perspectives on authentic leadershipPersonal Best and ValuesCommunication and TransparencyFeatured: Jan GriffithsWhat she does: Jan is the founder and CEO of Gravitas Detroit, an organization dedicated to cultivating authentic leadership in the automotive industry by providing courses, workshops, speaking events, and more. She is also the host of The Automotive Leaders Podcast.Mentioned in this episode:Phil Ideson, Founder Art of ProcurementEpisode with Don AkeryEpisode with Laura Lawson, EVP, Chief People Officer at UWMEpisode with Renee Harmon,&nbsp; VP Leadership Development Team at UWMEpisode with Kevin Browett, Former CEO, Renaissance Media SolutionsEpisode with Jeneanne Hanley, Board Member of KLA, Former President of Lear E-SystemsMary Barra, CEO of General MotorsEpisode with Nick Skislak, Founder of SS Digital MediaEpisode with Kristy FerchoEpisode with Heather Klish, Former President, Dura AutomotiveEpisode with Cathy Mott, Emotional Intelligence ExpertEpisode with Nick Norris, Navy SEALBook Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink, The C4 FoundationEpisode with Mira Griffiths, Co-Founder and Podcast Host at The Mind TakeawayEpisode with Jim Bianchi, President of Bianchi Public RelationsEpisode with John Anderson, Founder, Replace Retirement“Who will you become after the Crisis?” with Dave Sanderson, Author of Moments MatterEpisode with Ryan Berman, Co-founder of CourageousEpisode with Michael Chime, CEO of PreparedEpisode with Katelyn Davis, Ambassador for Millennials and MobilityEpisode No. 1 &amp; <a...

Imagine starting your career as a draftsman in the automotive industry in the UK, and then…….. you become the CEO of one of the most iconic car companies on the planet. Andy shares his leadership journey that takes him from the more aggressive style of leadership we saw in the industry in the early eighties, through to his experience in Japan and how he's taken the best of all of that leadership experience to become who he is today. He openly shares his vulnerabilities, what he does to deal with those vulnerabilities, how he inspires a team, how he galvanizes a team around a mission, and much more.02:18 – Andy’s story10:20 – Leadership style – the evolution15:42 – Command and control19:16 – Best team experience21:08 – Creating psychological safety22:48 – It’s ok to fail26:45 – Wales29:13 – Authentic leadership31:20 – Napoleon vs. Wellington36:11 – Gravitas37:51 – Galvanizing a team behind a vision42:02 – Keeping it real49:27 – The daily routine51:12 – Advice to your 25yr old self57:16 – The legacy

Todd Ballard, the former Chief Marketing Officer for GoPro possesses that unique combination of an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and authentic leadership. Todd spent 13 years at GoPro where he strategically directed the global marketing, brand development, and media vision for the company, taking it from a start-up to a publicly-traded $1B+ consumer electronics business. Todd shares his leadership insights and best practices to build high-performance teams in this fast-paced, high tech, growth environment.In this episode, you’ll hear all about Todd’s leadership journey, his offsite meetings, and the “5 dependencies” approach, how he builds collaboration, and why “ building high ground for low days” is important to him.02:09 – Todd’s story05:50 – Leadership style evolution07:16 – Avoiding silos09:24 - What’s your job?14:10 – The Tombstone test22:36 – Authentic leadership25:44 – The toxic employee29:05 – Building high ground for low days32:24 – Managing creatives40:10 – Advice to your 25yr old self

Paul is the man responsible for inspiring my bone-deep commitment to authentic leadership, he was my first boss back in Wales in the early ’80s as he modeled authentic leadership with every fiber of his being and this was well before the term “authentic” became a thing. Paul has experienced tremendous success in his career and now runs a significant portion of a $25Billion+ company and he hasn’t changed a bit from those early days back in Wales. It’s my honor and privilege to share with you the leadership insights from one of the most down to earth, real and authentic leaders the corporate world has ever seen.In this episode, we share personal stories from the early days, screw-ups, vision, innovation, attracting talent, and much more.00:00 – Paul’s story07:14 – Screw ups11:47 – Learning to fail13:23 -&nbsp; Innovation18:17 – Attracting talent21:17 – Vision &amp; purpose33:25 – Giving back36:32 – Advice to my 25yr old self40:18 – The legacy

Download the 21 traits of authentic leadership e book Ann Carter is the leader people love to follow and if you listened to part 1 you’ll know why. In this episode, we have an open and candid discussion about racism in the workplace. I was reluctant to record this episode because quite frankly I didn’t know where to take the discussion and what questions to ask. I had to be open and honest about that feeling, so I put myself in a safe space with Ann Carter, and we had the conversation. Our intent is to encourage others to have similar conversations and make strides towards eradicating racism. &nbsp;00:50 – Why I didn’t know what questions to ask04:59 – The term to use07:02 – Advice to leaders in the corporate world13:54 – The conversations white people have15:19 – Racism, discrimination, and bias17:38 – The recruiting process27:38 – The process of promotion32:40 – Being silent34:15 – Advice to the younger generation38:22 – The value of diversity

Download the 21 traits of authentic leadership e book Ann Carter is the leader people love to follow. Don’t take my word for it just ask anyone who has worked with her.&nbsp; Ann has experienced tremendous success in the C suite and across multiple industries, Automotive, Oil &amp; Gas, Chemical, Aerospace, and Healthcare, she sees no barriers to success and leads the charge in the area of supplier and workplace diversity and inclusion, it's her mission.This Harvard grad has a story to tell and one that will inspire you on your authentic leadership journey. She is a compassionate leader who has the confidence to inspire, but also the humility to be respectful and encouraging.&nbsp;There is a part 2 to this podcast, tune in to part 1 to find out why.&nbsp; I had to be vulnerable in part 2, more to follow.02:26 – Ann’s story12:49 – Automotive to Healthcare14:23 – Authentic Leadership19:00 – Aligning and breaking down silos23:09 – The games we play in the boardroom27:46 - Mentoring31:35 – Advice to your 25-year-old self36:27 – Leading through a crisis43:16 – Employee engagement49:25 – Fun in the workplace53:11 – The legacy

Download the 21 traits of authentic leadership e book Katelyn Davis believes passionately about the future of the Automotive Industry and her dedication has never wavered even during the difficult times of the downturn she persevered and encouraged others to share her passion. In this episode, you’ll learn about Katelyn’s story, her automotive roots, and her leadership beliefs. Katelyn dispels some of the myths of the Millennial generation and shares with us how she approaches social media and how she embodies the header on her LinkedIn profile as “Storyteller for the Automotive and Mobility Industry”Katelyn is currently a director at Lambert, a nationally ranked top-5 automotive and transportation public relations firm, supporting a number of key accounts in the automotive and mobility space. Prior to joining Lambert, Katelyn was the director of MICHauto, Michigan’s automotive and mobility industry association, and she held corporate affairs and communications positions with a Tier 1 automotive supplier and an OEM. During her career, Katelyn’s projects were recognized with four national awards which included internal communications campaigns and a user-generated social media campaign. Katelyn is a board member of the Automotive Public Relations Council, a co-lead for the Women in Mobility organization, and a graduate of Leadership Detroit Class XLI.You can reach Katelyn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelynsdavis/01:50 – Katelyn’s story06:50 – Leadership style11:41 – Influencers13:48 – The leadership model for the future / Millennials – dispel the myth19:06 – The power of the One on One meeting22:16 – Being personable and maintaining respect24:11 – Your voice on social media30:50 – Gravitas31:37 – Energy34:55 – Mary Barra37:35 – Continuous learning39:08 – Advice to your 25-year-old self41:44 – The legacy

Move over Millennials, Gen Z is coming through! In this episode, you’ll get inside the mind of a Gen Z CEO, Yale student, football player, and purpose-driven leader.Michael Chime is the CEO and founder of Prepared, a company on a mission to pursue a safer world for everyone. Michael and the team created an App that connects schools and emergency services in real-time during crisis situations where every second counts.In this episode you’ll learn about vision, passion, courage, defying conventional wisdom, and leadership from a Gen Z point of view.https://preparedapp.com/02:13 – Michael’s story06:39 – Football, the passion, the selection process, the decision16:01 – The visualization process20:39 – Yale22:38 – School shootings, the impact, the purpose29:37 – Being authentic34:11 – Building the company culture42:15 – Personal brand47:30 – A typical day50:57 – Influencers55:41 – Advice to non-Gen Z listeners

“Every company should have a potential future fear because fear leads to growth” – Ryan Berman. NOW is the time to face that fear of the unknown and a very uncertain future, NOW is the time to unleash COURAGE in our organizations.&nbsp; “What could the future of your company look like with an infusion of courage?” – Ryan Berman In 2019 Ryan sparked the courage movement that set out to reinvent businesses by galvanizing people, inspiring leaders, and celebrating courageous action in life and in business.&nbsp; In this episode, you’ll meet Ryan Berman, once an intern at MTV, now a major thought leader in the world of leadership change and branding and, very much an authentic leader. Ryan is the founder of Courageous, a change consultancy that develops Courage Brands and trains companies on how to operationalize courage through Courage Bootcamp. Ryan has spent a career developing meaningful stories for household brands—like Caesars Entertainment, Major League Baseball, New Era, Subway, and UNICEF—and he believes that courage is the ultimate competitive advantage for any willing business, being or brand. Ryan used the courage methodology detailed in the book Return on Courage to launch his own Courage Brand called&nbsp;Sock Problems, a charitable sock company that&nbsp;socks&nbsp;different problems in the world. https://www.couragebrands.com/ https://www.returnoncourage.com/You can reach Ryan on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/courageousideas/04:41 How we met06:56 Ryan’s Story, with a few twists and turns14:18 Millennials, change, and the New Normal18:58 Back to Ryan’s Story38:24 Interviewing leaders for the book, Steve Wilhite, Russell Weiner, Eric Ryan and more47:59 Time to put your business in timeout49:51 Back to work, where do we start?53:49 Fear of failure, trust, and vulnerability57:45 &nbsp;Take the mask off59:22 &nbsp;Get the rallying cry behind your why01:01:57 &nbsp;Advice from Ryan&nbsp;

We are starting back to work soon and there’s some anxiety around our “New Normal” and exactly what that means, but first a question we must ask and answer for ourselves. A question that holds the answer to how we plan to live the rest of lives, it’s simply this -&nbsp; How has this crisis changed us? &nbsp;We explore this topic from a man who has lived his life in 2 distinct parts – BEFORE the plane went down on January 15th, 2009, and AFTER.In this episode, you’ll meet Dave Sanderson, the last passenger on US Airways flight 1549 that ditched into the Hudson River.&nbsp; Dave made many interesting personal leadership choices during that experience but perhaps, more importantly, he made a personal choice on HOW to live his LIFE after the incident. Dave is an inspirational survivor, speaker, and author of the book “Moments Matter”. His thoughts on leadership have made him an internationally sought-out speaker. The last passenger off the back of the plane on that fateful day, he was largely responsible for the well-being and safety of others, risking his own life in frigid water to help other passengers off the plane. Despite the hazards to himself, Sanderson thought only of helping others and emerged from the wreckage with a mission: to encourage others to do the right thing. Today, he travels the globe sharing his inspirational and motivational leadership messages to help people make a difference in how they do business and live their lives.https://davesandersonspeaks.com/You can reach Dave on LinkedIn at&nbsp; https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiredavesanderson/03:00 &nbsp;&nbsp;Dave’s story11:45 &nbsp;&nbsp;Throw the baby! / when people freeze14:33 &nbsp;&nbsp;It’s not always the person with the title17:12&nbsp;&nbsp; You asked General Norman Schwarzkopf - what?21:42&nbsp;&nbsp; Life Before and after January 1536:19 No one dies today42:17&nbsp;&nbsp; Challenging bureaucracy51:31&nbsp;&nbsp; The morning routine1:00:03&nbsp; I made a choice

During the pandemic, as routines are turned upside down and corporate playbooks tossed aside, John Anderson—entrepreneur and author of Replace Retirement—brings a fresh perspective on leadership, vision, and the concept of Retirement with his rallying call: “Don’t retire, refire.”John’s story starts at IBM, where he began his career before building a successful office furniture business.&nbsp; Along the way, he found mentorship in Verne Harnish and worked with thought leaders like Jim Collins and Patrick Lencioni to develop transformative coaching practices for executives.A key part of his approach is the 10-year vision—a tool he uses to help leaders set clear goals, handle challenges, and align personal and professional priorities. Inspired by Ari Weinzweig’s visioning methods and Stephen Covey’s focus on “what matters,” John explains how leaders can use a long-term vision to guide their teams, even in uncertain times.Instead of chasing the traditional “work-life balance,” John suggests focusing on energy management. For him, a fulfilling life is about identifying what energizes you and intentionally designing your career and personal life to maximize those pursuits.Throughout the episode, you’ll hear advice, including tips on developing vision statements, communicating transparently during crises, and building routines that support personal and professional growth.By the end, John inspires listeners to rethink their legacy and embrace self-transformation, regardless of age. For leaders facing uncertainty or figuring out their next steps, his insights provide a roadmap to navigating change with confidence, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.Featured guest: John AndersonWhat he does: John Anderson is a business advisor, entrepreneur, and co-founder of The CEO Advantage, a coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations achieve exceptional results. With extensive experience guiding companies across public and private sectors, John specializes in helping executives and entrepreneurs develop clear visions, build strong management teams, and drive meaningful outcomes. He is also the founder of Replace Retirement, where he inspires leaders of all ages to rethink their future, adopt an exponential mindset, and craft a purposeful, rewarding, and fulfilling life plan.Mentioned in this episode:REPLACE RETIREMENT: Living Your Legacy in the Exponential AgeCREATE YOUR LEGACY MAP™Episode Highlights:[00:04:16] John’s story[00:09:54] Developing a vision for your business[00:22:21] Crisis leadership style[00:26:16] A daily routine to set you up for success[00:41:45] Time to rethink retirement[01:03:55] The tapestry of your life[01:12:05] Your legacy map[01:14:38] This is the time

How we communicate will set the tone for how we lead through this crisis and set the stage for how we lead AFTER the crisis, in the world of the new normal. Relationships with ALL stakeholders are critical to our success and how we navigate the complex world of communication right now during the crisis will either cement those relationships to build a strong foundation for the future or destroy them. This is an opportunity to galvanize the team, the business and maybe even the industry.Communication is one of the key traits of authentic leadership and in this episode, &nbsp;we look to an industry veteran in the field to help us understand and explore this topic.Meet Jim Bianchi, &nbsp;President, Bianchi Public Relations, with more than 35 years of experience on both the corporate and agency sides, Jim is a senior, hands-on PR professional directing Bianchi Public Relations, a Detroit area firm recognized nationally for its expertise in working with automotive and technology suppliers. Jim’s firm has been named among the “Best of Michigan Business” and one of "101 Best &amp; Brightest Companies” in Metro Detroit … and has been ranked by PR industry journals as the largest independent PR firm based in Detroit and one of the top technology PR firms in the U.S.Inducted into the PRSA Detroit Hall of Fame in 2012 for his contributions to the PR industry, Jim was also named the first recipient of Wayne State University Department of Communication’s Alumni Achievement Award in 2003. And around Detroit, Jim is often called “the dean of auto supplier PR.”Jim received a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Wayne State University in Detroit and is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Jim is a member of the Automotive Press Association, the Automotive Public Relations Council, the Detroit Chapter of PRSA, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Troy Chamber of Commerce and the Marketing &amp; Sales Executives of Detroit. He is also an affiliate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and has served as a judge for the International Automotive Media Competition awards.https://www.bianchipr.com/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbianchi/02:36 Jim’s story04:25 Emotional turmoil / bring calm08:57 Global impact12:51 Audio, video &amp; written14:50 Authenticity15:42 The Trump / Cuomo comparison19:43 Employee engagement / after the crisis23:02 The supply chain impact /dealing with all stakeholders36:12 Management by talking around38:35 People will remember how you make them feel

Last week we explored leadership insights from that elite group of warriors known as the Navy SEALS, well trained for combat in extreme, uncertain and unstable times. This week we take a different perspective, still very much within the scope of leading through a crisis, dealing with an enemy, riding the emotional roller coaster of our entirely changed lives but this time through the lens of a wartime refugee.&nbsp; What can we learn from her experience? How did she make the shift from victim to inspirational coach? Why this crisis can be a source for creativity to flourish and why authentic leadership is so important right now – TODAY!In this episode you’ll meet Mira Griffiths, Mira grew up in the time of the civil war in the country previously known as Yugoslavia, she and her family had to flee the city she was born in and leave everything to be destroyed during the war. Mira has since lived and worked in Serbia, UAE &amp; Germany and her work has always been related to helping people overcome the consequences of physical and psychological trauma, loss and pain in their life in general, relationships, work, and the future. Helping them understand who they are and how their experience is created which consequently brings back authenticity, aliveness, courage, creativity, joy, love and compassion back in their lives.​Mira has a BSc in Physiotherapy, Advanced Diploma in Hypnotherapy, Counselling and Psychology, Diploma in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and Advanced Pain Management, and she has completed her NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Masters, is a Certified NLP and Certified Clarity Coach. She also studied emotions and human behavior through the Paul Eckman International Institute. Mira is a co-founder along with her husband, Peter Griffiths of The Mind Takeaway, a company committed to supporting leaders to grow and become the best that they can be.&nbsp; Mira and Peter have created a groundbreaking online program people can join from any part of the world, visit&nbsp; &nbsp;https://www.themindtakeaway.com/authentic-leadership-project for more information or contact Mira directly via email&nbsp; [email protected]&nbsp;Mira and Peter firmly believe the world needs more compassionate and authentic leaders who are able to meet the complex needs of the everchanging environments we live and work in.&nbsp;

It's Sunday, March 29th, 2020 and we are in the midst of a global crisis, the COVID 19 crisis.&nbsp; Leaders are challenged with an unprecedented situation where there is no corporate playbook to follow and very little evidence of contingency planning.Where can we look for guidance? for leadership insight in this time of crisis, this time of uncertainty - who is ever really trained for this?The answer – the military – and we look to an elite group of warriors known as the NAVY SEALSIn this episode, you’ll meet Nick Norris. Nick was clearly born to serve, he not only served his country as a Navy SEAL but continues to serve the Navy SEAL community with his active involvement with the C4 foundation www.c4foundation.org &nbsp;.&nbsp;The C4 Foundation honors the legacy of Charles Humphrey Keating IV, a heroic Navy SEAL who gave his life defending our country and the freedoms we enjoy.Nick also serves in his current role as CEO and co-founder of Protect Products,&nbsp;a wellness company committed to positively impacting customer health with both personal care products and nutritional supplements. www.protektproducts.comNick embodies the qualities of his brand and this is EXACTLY the type of leadership we need right now, leading through this crisis can be the most rewarding and, yes, exhilarating experience of our lifetime if we step up and embrace this leadership opportunity right NOW!06:42 Nick Norris – Nick’s story09:43 Contingency planning is everything12:08 Why are SEALS so effective?14:47 Micromanagement – The handicap17:51 Trust and Hell Week19:56 Love and compassion23:55 Calm breeds calm27:30 A time for creativity30:59 Balancing emotions and vulnerability36:22 The sand table46:47 Dealing with toxic employees51:35 Can you trust too much?54:09 Extreme sports, pushing the limits, inside your head1:03:05 Starting your day and Nick’s morning routine1:07:49 Changing habits

How was your week? Adjusting to life with the new norm?Do you have the new work routine set up and your teams all charging ahead? Working from home all figured out?My answer is - NO, not even close, I wasn't nearly as productive as I wanted to be, I struggled to get out of bed, keep my energy up and focus on anything for more than 5 minutes. I was angry, scared, emotional and at times a bit crazy.I craved interaction with other people, and I judged myself for not being productive and not having the willpower to pull through it.&nbsp; What happened to me?In this episode, we explore the rollercoaster of emotions many of us went through last week through the eyes of an Emotional Intelligence expert and coach, Cathy MottWe explore the grief cycle, the 4 quadrants of emotional intelligence, active listening, vulnerability, fear, why we need to lead ourselves first before leading others and much more.There are valuable insights to share as we step up and lead through this crisis.00:53 What happened to me last week08:03 The grief cycle10:20 Take the space you need11:16 Judging yourself14:34 Active listening20:24 Vulnerability/strength and balance22:51 Time to be tough?23:58 Coaching questions26:10 The 4 stages of Emotional Intelligence29:20 Resilience31:16 Taking action and accountability37:27 Advice from Cathy as we face Monday

These are troubling times indeed yet they open up an opportunity to connect with people on a deep and meaningful level like never before.It's time to step up and embrace one of the most rewarding leadership experiences of our lifetime. Are you ready?In this episode, we cover exactly what it takes to lead through this crisis.Staying positiveProviding meaningGalvanizing the teamFears of leading a remote teamTrust issues?How to manage the demands of the family when you work from homeTechnical tipsDesigning your workspaceand much more.

Download the 21 traits of authentic leadership e book (Recorded when Heather was Global Vice President Logistics &amp; Lean Manufacturing – Delphi)Meet Heather Klish, Heather is the daughter of a GM tool &amp; die maker on a mission to positively impact American manufacturing and she’s rocking it.Tune in to hear how she prioritizes family, faith, career, and fitness and how her leadership compass and moral compass guide her leadership philosophy.In this episode, you can expect to hear how Heather transformed herself from an introverted engineer to a global leader who clearly recognizes “It’s a people business”We explore how the power of visualization and positive affirmation early on in her career impacted her life. How she galvanizes people around a vision and drives accountability into the details yet staying true to her firm belief in empowerment and fully supporting her team.&nbsp; We go deep into Trust, the speed of trust and the hard-line impact on a business. All of this and more…..There are valuable insights to share as we pursue our quest to find GRAVITAS.03:27 Heather’s story07:27 Why did you pick manufacturing? &nbsp;08:57 Leadership style12:11 The power of negative knowledge13:11 Evolving from that introverted engineer15:06 Mentors and the power of visualization17:05 Galvanizing a team around a vision21:17 Detail-oriented or micromanager?23:46 Gravitas27:16 Lead by example, leadership compass29:06 Hot buttons30:06 Advice to your 25year old self32:00 Working through fear – coaching34:25 Leading yourself36:41 Saying NO39:42 Positive energy42:40 Advice to an emerging leader

(Recorded when Kristy was President of mortgage at Flagstar bank)Meet Kristy Fercho, the daughter of a track coach from Compton CA on a mission to help people achieve the American dream of homeownership and she’s rocking it! a leader with GRAVITAS exuding warmth, competency, and connection. Three words describe Kristy – Energy, Light, and Grace, you’ll know exactly what that means after you tune in to this podcast.In this episode, you can expect to hear how her father’s coaching philosophy influenced her leadership style and drives her to focus on “personal best” for herself and others.We explore what happened that day she displayed enormous courage and vulnerability on stage that resulted in an overwhelming outpour of social media attention and support.We dive deep into an open and honest discussion about race, gender, industry stereotypes and fitting a corporate mold.There are valuable insights to share as we pursue our quest to find GRAVITAS.03:00 Kristy’s story04:57 Being your best self09:22 Staying true to yourself12:09 Breaking the mold16:41 Attracting Millennials18:34 Embracing social media22:48 Courage, leadership and vulnerability33:01 Advice to your 25-year-old self35:42 What’s your legacy?36:49 Leadership influence – see people41:21 Gravitas - Energy, Grace &amp; Light

Meet Nick Skislak, Nick comes from the small town of Sparta, Michigan and learned very quickly how to rock Google ad words like Gary Vaynerchuck. Nick made the bold decision to launch his business in 2008 in the metro Detroit area and he’s never looked back. Nick is a Millennial leading a company of multi-generational employees and he embodies all the traits of leadership we need for the future.In this episode, you can expect to hear how Nick made the shift from being “in the weeds” on everything to trusting, delegating and letting go. He talks openly about having “the tough conversations” with his team and his thoughts around “radical transparency” and what that really means.We go deep into trust, safety, complacency, vulnerability and the creative process. Nick sees his role as a guide and mentor.&nbsp; “We’re here to make each other better” and “We’re arm in arm” are quotes driving his leadership philosophy.&nbsp;Nick is passionate about breaking down silos and you’ll hear why and how he does that.One of his favorite quotes comes from The Andy Griffith Show, “I’d rather be nice than right”There are valuable insights to share as we pursue our quest to find GRAVITAS.

Download the 21 traits of authentic leadership e book Meet Jeneanne Hanley, a leader with over 25 years’ experience in the automotive industry culminating in her position as President of the E Systems division at Lear Corp, a business with revenues over $5B, 50 sites and 70,000 people. It’s clear that her mission is to match “people with purpose”, she leads with a firm belief in “modeling behavior” and “we win as a team”.&nbsp; A self-confessed “strategy zealot” and a “list person” Jeneanne takes us through many facets of authentic leadership.In this episode, you can expect to hear how she engages a team around a new technology play specifically in the EV space, how they embrace innovation and execute in troubled times, particularly when “there’s fear in the air”. The transition to a company with a Silicon Valley based culture and more.You’ll hear insights gleaned from her interview with Mary Barra CEO of General Motors and Jocko Willink, the Navy Seal and co-author of the book “Extreme Ownership”There are valuable insights to share as we pursue our quest to find GRAVITAS.03:01 Jeneanne’s story08:01 The Mary Barra interview11:02 2010 – the year of the Volt12:27 Fear in the air16:08 Innovation – allowing people to experiment18:37 Engineers must have a seat at the table19:58 Working for a Silicon Valley based company22:16 Connecting hearts and minds25:59 The Jocko Willink interview30:52 Personal accountability32:36 Authentic leadership40:21 Gravitas41:34 Fun and the corporate offsite44:31 Advice to my 25-year-old self47:08 What’s your legacy?

Meet Kevin Browett, Kevin comes from a one red light town in Pennsylvania he rose through the corporate ranks to head up an $18 Billion P&amp;L &nbsp;and then……..the pivot, a magazine? tune in to hear his story it covers toys, drugs, start-ups, martial arts and more.In this episode you can expect to hear about a man who was born to serve, it’s in his DNA, it started with the community he grew up in and continues to be a driving force in his life today as he unites the community. Kevin supports the philosophy of “no man left behind” and practices servant leadership in his professional and personal life.&nbsp; He holds several board positions, supports charity organizations and is proud to put family first, all of this with a strong sense of personal accountability and a strict workout routine starting at 3AM !Kevin speaks openly about failure, lessons learned from the experience and standing up in the boardroom to take the unpopular stand.There are valuable insights to share as we pursue our quest to find GRAVITAS.03:41 Kevin’s story07:11 We want somebody like you08:45 Financial bonus or something else - incentives11:47 It’s about trust12:27 Staying true to yourself when others are not19:09 Failure and lessons learned21:44 The pivot32:06 Personal accountability – 3AM ?37:09 Boards, charities and making it all work41:59 The GRAVITAS factor43:54 What’s your legacy ?

Meet Renee Harmon, they call her “coach”&nbsp; and they acknowledge her with a slight tip of the head as they pass her by in the hallways and wide open spaces at United Wholesale Mortgage and you can feel the level of respect and warmth toward her servant leadership approach.In this episode you can expect to hear more about the coaching culture at UWM and the training program that supports over 500 + leaders and placed UWM in the top #5 ranking of training teams across the country.How technology plays a part in improving employee engagement and a very different approach to the traditional performance review.“We’re not the culture police” states HarmonThere are valuable insights to share as we pursue our quest to find GRAVITAS.01:38 Renee’s story03:37 The leadership development program05:58 People are our greatest asset06:31 Did she say retention rate of over 90% ?09:34 Not the culture police10:12 The team huddle12:50 Automotive culture – impact ?15:07 Service level agreements16:46 Where did the dance party idea come from ?23:28 Nurturing psychological safety24:54 Technology and the impact on employee engagement27:43 Advice to your 25 year old self28:24 What’s your legacy ?

Meet Laura Lawson, an authentic leader who takes her skills and creativity from her Hollywood job on the Ellen show and becomes the “chief architect of culture” for a mortgage company in Michigan hiring over 3,000 people in 2019.&nbsp; Laura exemplifies the servant leadership model of leadership and practices it every-day at UWM.&nbsp; Tune in to hear what this culture is all about and how they make it a reality at UWM.&nbsp; Yes, there is GRAVITAS in Pontiac Michigan, a city once known for car production.&nbsp;01:33 Detroit – the mortgage town ?03:20 Laura’s story05:33 The pivot08:18 Our first meeting09:28 Ascending to the C suite12:16 Culture14:30 Blame culture15:25 Fun and friendship16:45 Coming from automotive ?19:44 On-boarding21:18 Thumb pointer22:47 Coaching24:23 Technology28:05 Your time31:50 Dance party ?35:42 What about the metrics ?39:01 Advice to leaders going through cultural transformation42:47 Does Mat Ishbia have GRAVITAS ?45:40 Legacy

Meet Don Akery, a man who walks the talk when it comes to authentic leadership, a man who knows what it takes to take care of all of his stakeholders, customers, suppliers, owners, and most importantly, employees. We will explore today exactly how he does that and stays true to himself.When people come to work at TTI they tend to stay.&nbsp; The values statement at TTI talks about providing a home and it hasn’t changed in 40 years, the culture has evolved with the times and retained its core values.A real southern boy from Atlanta Georgia who sold subscriptions to the Atlanta Newspaper and now runs a Berkshire Hathaway company, Don has valuable insights to share as we pursue our quest to find GRAVITAS.02:20 Don’s story03:49 Technology and leadership model changes05:40 Attracting Millennials07:07 Embracing social media13:09 The executive roadshow / with a waiting list ?20:52 That irresistible quality of leadership21:36 The TTI story / the American dream23:18 Working for Warren Buffett29:48 Positional power vs supportive / coaching leadership34:33 Creating a home for people40:07 Advice to your 25 year old self43:14 What’s your legacy ?

In this episode, Jan provides the background on her transformation from farm girl to Automotive executive and her passion for authentic leadership. You’ll hear about the questions that will be asked and answered during the podcast series and the type of guests we can expect to hear from as we launch the quest to find GRAVITAS00:27&nbsp; Jan’s background02:45 Moving to America04:04 Dial it back, tone down the personality04:52 The dream job06:10 Now what? aligned to purpose?07:04 Start my own business, are you crazy?07:50 Launching Gravitas Detroit09:34 What is authentic leadership?12:28 Have you given yourself permission to lead?13:18 The industrial revolution model15:18 The types of guests you can expect to hear from16:06 Staying true to yourself

Welcome to the Automotive Leaders Podcast, where we help you prepare for the future by sharing insights, stories, and skills from leading voices in the automotive world.I’m your host, Jan Griffiths — that passionate, rebellious farmer’s daughter from Wales with over 35 years of experience in the auto industry.&nbsp;I’m on a mission to create a more authentic leadership culture, one in which people can thrive.“Command and control” as a leadership model is DEAD. Authentic leadership is in.It’s time to break the mold.So what exactly is authentic leadership and how do you practice it? What are the challenges facing auto industry leaders today?We’re in a transformational time. EVs and autonomous driving are entirely new product portfolios. But have our models of leadership and business culture evolved to meet the moment?You can’t have one without the other.In this podcast, you’ll hear in-depth interviews, powerful insights and fun facts from the people at the forefront of these groundbreaking shifts in the auto industry.&nbsp;We publish a new episode every 2 weeks, one long form guest interview between 40 and 50 minutes followed by a solo episode where I’ll deconstruct the guest interview and go deeper into the leadership traits discussed.As a listener, you can also access the 21 traits of authentic leadership pdf&nbsp; to help you on your leadership journey.Download the 21 traits of authentic leadership e book Start your journey into authentic leadership today by digging in to our library of episodes with thought leaders such as Stephen M.R. Covey where we focus specifically on the automotive industry and explain why the C &amp; C model is well and truly dead , the author Daniel Pink on the Power of Regret and how this applies to leaders in the auto industry, Sandy Stojkovski CEO of Vitesco, Steve Kiefer former head of global purchasing for GM and Stefan Krause former CEO of Canoo and a recognised leader in the mobility space and many more.You can find a complete list that’s easy to navigate on our website, theautomotiveleaderspodcast.com.&nbsp;Easily navigate our back catalogue of episodes Each episode has robust show notes to help you navigate the episode along with a full episode transcript.If you prefer to watch a video rather than pure audio you can find us on the Gravitas Detroit&nbsp; YouTube channel&nbsp;Learn more about your host, Jan Griffiths in this short video Stay true to yourself, be you , and lead with Gravitas, the hallmark of authentic leadership.