Chapter 4Your Organization (Use Empathy and Social Skills to Make Everyone around You Better)
“At the end of the day, the success of every company is about its people.”
—Mary Barra
Life's best leadership lessons are taught at home. For General Motors (GM) chair and CEO Mary Barra, her leadership education started at the kitchen table.
Barra grew up in a close‐knit family in Michigan. When it was dinnertime at the Barra household, everyone would gather around to talk, listen, and share stories. “Everyone” meant family, friends, and relatives. If they'd stopped by after lunch or work, they were there to stay for dinner. Barra's mother wouldn't turn any family or friends away. Everyone was included. There was always room for one more. This inclusive approach rubbed off on Barra. She's carried it with her throughout her 40‐plus‐year career at GM.
It's a great lesson for leaders on how to bring everyone to the table to build a high‐performing organization.
Mary Barra started at GM when she was an 18‐year‐old, working as a college co‐op student. Over her long tenure, she's worked on the assembly line as a quality control officer, as an executive assistant, plant manager, HR leader, and several other roles. In 2014, she became the first female CEO of a major automaker.
She rose up the ranks by leading with empathy and taking the perspective of every GM employee. She understood because in several instances, at one point, she had their job. “I also got to see the company and the world ...
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