The Automotive Leaders Podcast

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.  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,  we look to an industry veteran in the field to help us understand and explore this topic.Meet Jim Bianchi,  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 & 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 & 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/    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbianchi/02:36 Jim’s story04:25 Emotional turmoil / bring calm08:57 Global impact12:51 Audio, video & 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.  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 & 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.  Mira and Peter have created a groundbreaking online program people can join from any part of the world, visit   https://www.themindtakeaway.com/authentic-leadership-project for more information or contact Mira directly via email  info@themindtakeaway.com 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. 

It's Sunday, March 29th, 2020 and we are in the midst of a global crisis, the COVID 19 crisis.  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  . 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, 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.  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 & Lean Manufacturing – Delphi)Meet Heather Klish, Heather is the daughter of a GM tool & 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.  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?  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 & 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.  “We’re here to make each other better” and “We’re arm in arm” are quotes driving his leadership philosophy. 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”.  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?