When it comes to General Motors, you might say that CEO Mary Barra is ride or die.
When it comes to General Motors $GM, you might say that CEO Mary Barra is ride or die.
At 18, she started working for GM as a way to help pay for her college tuition. Her gig, inspecting hoods and fender panels of the Pontiac Grand Prix, turned out to be the first step in a lifelong career with the manufacturer, culminating in Barra’s appointment as chief executive in 2014. This made her the first woman to run one of the “Big Three” automakers (GM, Ford $F, and Fiat Chrysler) in the US.
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As CEO, Barra has faced plenty of challenges. Shortly after she took the job, the company was rocked by a global scandal over a defective ignition switch that led to at least 124 deaths, eventually forcing the company to recall 2.6 million cars. Barra refused to shirk the company’s responsibility, conducting an internal probe that resulted in the firing of 15 employees and instating new policies that aimed to prompt workers to flag problems, which permanently altered the company culture.
“I never want to put this behind us,” she told employees. “I want to put this painful experience permanently in our collective memories.” In the years since, Barra has staked her reputation on transparency while pushing to modernize GM with electric and self-driving cars.
In an interview with Quartz, Barra shares her thoughts on the importance of seeking out new opportunities and the myth about working moms that she detests.
That an almost supercentenarian company can change the world.
I have a fundamental belief that everyone wants to contribute and do a good job.
I’d urge women not to cut off their career branches too early. Don’t step away from your career based on what “might” happen.
When asked for advice on how to get ahead, Eleanor Roosevelt was fond of saying, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” If I could offer some advice to my younger self, this idea of embracing new and different opportunities would be a good place to start.
I am always action-oriented because there’s always a way to move forward.
I spend the time to get to know them, their families, and what’s important to them.
The best advice I ever received came from my parents, who encouraged me to work hard and pursue my early love of math.
Stop making assumptions.
The mountain I’m willing to die on… is anything that’s right for my family.
I wish people would stop telling me… that you can’t have a successful career and be a successful parent.
Everyone should own… a dog.
This interview is part of How We’ll Win, a project exploring the fight for gender equality at work. Read more interviews with industry-leading women here.
