Gerrit Marx’s Post

Zakaria Abdulkadir and I have published our second white paper titled "The Power of a Strong Leading Team" in collaboration with Volvo Cars! 🚗✨ Discover the traits that make a leading team powerful 💪 and the importance of psychological safety 🛡️.

Mariacarla Roych and I have published our second white paper titled "The Power of a Strong Leading Team" in collaboration with Volvo Cars! 🚗✨ Discover the traits that make a leading team powerful 💪 and the importance of psychological safety 🛡️.

Imagine yourself in a fast, hot wheel drive (I will go with a BMW: you are free to choose your aspirational wheels). its a great highway and you can touch a high speed of 160 easily and safely. I will add a constraint to the situation. It's a 4 lane highway and all 4 lanes have cars in it. Now imagine, you have a Maruti 800 running in front of your car which can hit a speed of 60-80 max, and you need stay behind it unless you can change the lane. How would you feel? Frustrated, angry, irritated..right? This is exactly team members feel when they are led by managers who are perceived (and may be are really) incompetent and uninspiring. if given an option what would you have done to avoid driving behind the M800? Change the lanes? And this is exactly what people do when they have to work woth incompetent and uninspiring managers. They change roles or companies. If you are not assessing the competency of your leadership to keep their teams motivated, inspired and energized with a clear vision, clarity of goals, focus on innovation and passion for results, its time to reflect.

How Toyota beat Ford to become #1 automobile manufacturer in the world. It is fascinating to know that Toyota had almost zero market share when they started out and now is known to be the industry leaders. I have been able to explain what they did and how they did it. If you find this educative and interesting, kindly share, comment and like. #AnythingImprovementWithOtokiti #ContinuousImprovement

In my last post, I revved through the frustrations of a BMW car trapped behind a Maruti 800, a metaphor for the stifling effect of less competent leadership. Some of my peers reached out to me, humorously pointing out that my view might have been a tad one-sided. "What about our perspective?" they asked. So, in the spirit of fair play and a balanced viewpoint, let's dive into an alternate scenario that also happens at work. This time imagine you are in Maruti-800 (or choose the car you love which fits the situation) and your leaders or seniors are in a Innova/Fortuner (like last time, feel free to pick your car), or the kind of car which completely blocks your vision of what’s ahead. You're eager, ready to accelerate, but they're navigating cautiously, and your frustration is mounting. Then, suddenly, they change lanes, and as your path clears, you see the reason for their pace — a series of unexpected potholes, a broken-down vehicle, or perhaps an unforeseen sharp bend in the road. Your frustration gives way to understanding as the bigger picture unfolds. This scenario is a gentle reminder that sometimes the obstacles and challenges our seniors face aren't immediately apparent from our position. A quick conversation can illuminate the roadblocks they're navigating, fostering understanding and teamwork. I hope this bridges the gap between the fast lanes and the careful navigators. ALWAYS remember that whether you're in the BMW or the Maruti 800, we're all on this road together. Happy driving!

I remember telling the #team we're increasing 20% everywhere! I told them this at the beginning of January. The looks I got were similar to this 🤣. Many of them didn't believe in themselves. But, I did. In January.... we gained but we didn't come close to 20% across the board. We could have accepted that as our new standard. But, we didn't! In February the #team started to come alive. Energy started to fill the dealerships and oddly (sarcasm) the results began to roll in! Now everyone believes and the reality is... our plane is just taxiing the runway. What will the results be when we truly take flight?! February RESULTS! Sales: 26% YOY GROWTH!!! Parts: 27% YOY GROWTH!!! Service: 33% YOY GROWTH!!! Body Shop: 57% YOY GROWTH!!! If we can do it. So can you! #people #process #product #goals #sales #service #automotive #leadership #bethechange

As a long standing Fiat then FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and now Stellantis shareholder, it is my obligation to remember the last true visionary leader: #Sergio_Marchionne. He not only had the pragmatic vision of the “doers” but was also capable of designing a pathway for the entire #automotive industry. Over the past 6 years, since his passing, lack of true leadership has brought the company (now together with the former Groupe PSA) to the brink of irrelevance! He knew how to drive Value forward!! #automation #branding #mobility

Opportunity

Acknowledging and learning from past decisions is a crucial aspect of leadership. Looking forward to witnessing how Ford navigates and evolves to overcome challenges, demonstrating resilience and commitment to continuous improvement. 🚗 #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #FordCEO

This year, I delved into the world of owning a classic car, specifically a 1970 Camaro Rally Sport! As I reacquainted myself with the joys of owning such a vehicle, I couldn't help but draw parallels between this passion and the art of leadership. Here are some of my thoughts. 🚗✨ Like a timeless automobile, outstanding leadership requires meticulous care, passion, and a commitment to excellence. Classic cars aren't just about their beauty or performance; they're about the journey, the craftsmanship, and the legacy they leave behind. Similarly, leadership isn't just about results; it's about the path we as leaders carve, the team(s) we build, and the lasting impact we create. 🔧 Maintenance Matters: Regular upkeep is essential. Leaders must continually refine their skills, just as classic cars need regular maintenance to stay in peak condition. 🏁 Performance Under Pressure: Both need to handle challenges smoothly. Performing under pressure is critical when navigating a tricky road or leading through tough times. 🚀 Legacy and Inspiration: Classic cars inspire future generations, much like influential leaders. What legacy are we building? How are we encouraging those around us? So, drive forward with passion, precision, and a commitment to excellence in our leadership and the things we love. 🌟 #Leadership #ClassicCars #Inspiration #Excellence #ScottWeinberg