We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The company's engine power locomotives travel across the country. Behaviors, not inspiring slogans, determine the culture of an organization, she said. Besides these, there are few leadership traits which she possesses. Her leadership style involves giving her subordinates and peers the space to express their opinions. When she isnt writing she prefers reading. When asked about the start of her career in aFebruary 2018 interview, Barra tellingly quoted Eleanor Roosevelt: "Do one thing every day that scares you". Mary Barra is a role model for many. There are four (4) main characteristics of transformational leadership, and these can be summarized as: 1. By 1985, shed earned an electrical engineering degree. It means working to improve the communities where we live and work by.. Mary Barra is good humored, yet serious in her job. Want to build a fearless brand? DELTA NEWS ON THE GO. Will Mary Barra end up being remembered as the kind of legendary leader that Lee Iacocca was? Ethical Leader Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors is changing the culture of one of the largest automotive companies applying ethical leadership. Why Should You Shop for Home Insurance Even if You Arent Relocating? 2. It had been complicated and largely misunderstood, but successful in saving GM. At this years conference, Prof. Adam Grant hosted the keynote discussion with Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, about people management. Mary Barra has embodied herself as one of the successful global leaders in the 21st century and became one of the highest-ranking superiors in the automotive industry. After graduating, Mary began full time employment at GM, working in part, on the Pontiac Fiero. Watch the replay and share your comments on Delta.com/GainingAltitude. 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. You see everything in HR. At this point, we can comfortably conclude that transformational leadership is a factor crucial in businesses. GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra addresses investors Oct. 6, 2021 at the GM Tech Center in Warren, Michigan . II. II. Gaining Altitude is a new series from Delta that tackles conversations worth navigating, connecting people while building understanding across the globe. Barra is proving her courage. Create a corps of leaders who think newly, act differently and are prepared to lead in the market and the organization by writing new rules for the game. Demonstrate service and empathy for everyone you interact with. Put in the time do the work Mary Barra is certainly a lifer at GM. 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 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. There, she earned an MBA, before returning to work full time at General Motors. The board found Barra to be the best fit for the organization since her talent is homegrown. A number of years ago, while researching for my book (which is coincidentally on the art and science of happiness), I learned that happy is not something you are. I write about leadership in history, pop culture and business. Elon Musk, Reed Hastings, Mary Barra: A Guide to Leadership From the Covid-19 Crisis. Straddling the EV-verse: A Bentley Venture, Driving Tomorrows: The Mercedes-Benz and Google Partnership, Subway Sandwiches Explore Sale Options After Profitable Makeover. Mary Barra's Leadership Style: What Entrepreneurs Can Learn. Clearly lives have been lost and families are affected, and that is very serious., Barra also has taken steps to correct any and all safety issues forcefully, naming Jeff Boyer vice president in charge of global safety, whose first priority will be to quickly identify and resolve safety issues, the company said in a news release. She also knew that to do so, the focus had to be on changed behavior beginning with her own. Quick Learner: Barra always puts her priority in learning new things and developing her skills. Women hold immense potential right from the start. Perseverance Skill: In Mary Barras case, it was not easy for her to lead a charmed life without having any setbacks. 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. They encourage followers to recognize the part they play in the organizations vision and growth. As you probably know, GM has sold cars with faulty ignitions for more than 10 . At the same time, they should discern which feedback is worth taking action on. Barra's appointment was announced . III. With this communication flair, Barra was able to initiate a communications . Profitability would outweigh number of units. Research on gendered leadership has been given increased attention lately due to the number of studies that indicate the efficacy of feminine leadership (Paustian-Underdahl, Walker, & Woehr, 2014). Leadership Next. The transformational leader portrays trustworthiness and serves as an inspiration to others, possessing an optimistic, positive, and encouraging outlook. Whether youre acquiring a company or hiring a new person for your team, you want to spend time to discern whether your values match. 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). In the meantime, find out how to hone your own leadership skills and abilities with our handy guides, and dont forget to check out our recommendations on the best leadership books, films and podcasts to enlighten your development. The ship had been steadied, but the storms were far from ended. Mary Barra is Chair and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors. However, the woman herself sees her achievements differently. This performance is the result of the leadership of a truly fearless brand Mary Barra. Do the work. One of the new mechanisms in place was encouraging employees to report problems when confronted with issues that may seem incorrect, contradictory to manufacturing specifications, or inferior. We can take on others emotions and moods without conscious awareness. Its not what you might think and its not what most would expect. She then introduced the speak for safety program that encourages employees to report issues without the fear of punishments to encourage accountability and responsibility. ( Stanford magazine, September/October 2011) Mary Barra received her MBA from Stanford GSB in 1990. The CEO of General Motors, Mary Barra, is a fixture on Fortune's list of the Most Powerful Women in business. . While rising through the ranks in GM, she . This is a factHer leadership style involves giving her subordinates and peers the space to express their opinions. Such as . Mary Barra was about 10 when she first fell in love with a car. IV. This is how she's leading General Motors' charge to a greener future. . Ive only come to identify it through researching transformational leadership and my work with leaders across a range of industries. Id call that a win-win-win! 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. Raised during the Great Depression, they taught their children to believe in the American Dream that they could become whatever they put their minds to. General Motors CEO Mary Barra was walking the stage at the J.P. Morgan Automotive conference in New York on an early . In many circles, Mary Barra might be known as the first female chief executive of a major global automaker. Different leadership styles are taken into consideration, from participative leadership . "I loved that time because you're dealing with people," she told Wharton professor Adam Grant in a2018 interview. The measurement of success for Mary Barra, GM's new CEO, relies on whether she can make it more competitive, profitable and live up to its potential. 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. Once she receives diverse input, she gauges the efficacy of all ideas and provides feedback. The way she treated her staff with dignity and respect was truly amazing. Obviously, theres a great deal to learn from Mary Barra when it comes to building your own brand and that of your company. This sounds like common sense, but if you observe your own meetings, youll likely be surprised at how much time is spent on information sharing rather than discussion. Big blonde hair. Despite articles addressing transformational leadership qualities, one indispensable quality, core to being an impactful transformational leader, appears to have been overlooked. Mary also calls hall meetings to gather various concepts and ideas from different individuals in order to run a project. Without one, the front line will not get or understand the message. Both Mary and her brother, Paul, excelled in the areas of science and math. And that's the key to achieving something truly transformational. This ones by far the simplest of habits. 1) Boosts Motivation. Adopt an optimistic explanatory style. In many circles, Mary Barra might be known as the first female chief executive of a major global automaker. Today, Mary Barra is the first woman to lead any of the Big Three automobile manufacturers in America- Fiat Chrysler, Ford and GM. . Given GM's history, why does Barra put a premium on her executives' leadership behaviors? In one interview, taken by Bloomberg, she mentioned that team sport is necessary for producing . 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 . Education is the great equalizer. One study found that a regular gratitude practice also leads to increased happiness and optimism. It may come as no surprise that sustainability and protecting the environment are issues at the forefront of both CEOs' minds. The Wall Street Journal distilled takeaways on navigating the pandemic from profiles of business leaders. They genuinely care about not only their people, but their customers. 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