Journey to authentic leadership: Season 1 highlights

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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. 

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 leadership
• Value of continuous learning and adaptability
• Leadership during crises
• Societal issues and responsibilities
• Different perspectives on authentic leadership
• Personal Best and Values
• Communication and Transparency

Featured: Jan Griffiths

What 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 Procurement
• Episode with Don Akery
• Episode with Laura Lawson, EVP, Chief People Officer at UWM
• Episode with Renee Harmon,  VP Leadership Development Team at UWM
• Episode with Kevin Browett, Former CEO, Renaissance Media Solutions
• Episode with Jeneanne Hanley, Board Member of KLA, Former President of Lear E-Systems
• Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors
• Episode with Nick Skislak, Founder of SS Digital Media
• Episode with Kristy Fercho
• Episode with Heather Klish, Former President, Dura Automotive
• Episode with Cathy Mott, Emotional Intelligence Expert
• Episode with Nick Norris, Navy SEAL
• Book Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink, The C4 Foundation
• Episode with Mira Griffiths, Co-Founder and Podcast Host at The Mind Takeaway
• Episode with Jim Bianchi, President of Bianchi Public Relations
• Episode with John Anderson, Founder, Replace Retirement
• “Who will you become after the Crisis?” with Dave Sanderson, Author of Moments Matter
• Episode with Ryan Berman, Co-founder of Courageous
• Episode with Michael Chime, CEO of Prepared
• Episode with Katelyn Davis, Ambassador for Millennials and Mobility
• Episode No. 1 & No. 2 with Ann Carter, C-Suite Supply Chain Executive
• Episode with Paul Humphries, former President of Reliability Solutions at Flex
• Episode with Todd Ballard, former Chief Marketing Officer at GoPro
• Episode with Dr. Andy Palmer, former COO of Nissan and CEO of Aston Martin
• Season 2 Episode with Clint Bruce - Former Navy Special Warfare Officer, NFL Player and Entrepreneur

Episode Highlights:

[00:57] Podcasting odyssey: Jan's journey from podcasting novice to the culmination of Season 1, embracing challenges and growing in the podcasting environment.

[04:46] Mastering authentic leadership in a competitive world: A recap and summary of the key principles of authentic leadership discussed throughout the season. Reflecting on the wisdom shared by diverse leaders