10 Quotes by Mary Barra on Leadership and Innovation

Everybody does a better job when they’re able to balance.

It’s important to surround yourself with people who will challenge you and tell you when and why you are wrong.

If we win the hearts and minds of employees, we’re going to have better business success.

Not everything needs changing. Some things need protecting. And that can be just as important, challenging and rewarding as changing the world.

When we have to make tough decisions, giving direction and setting the strategies for the products of General Motors, there should be constructive tension. We should have vigorous debates.

At the end of the day, when the decision has to be made, if we don’t have complete unanimity, I have no qualms about making it.

I want that tension in a constructive way to make sure we evaluate things from every angle.

Don’t confuse progress with winning.

As leaders in business, government, nonprofits, NGOs, or wherever your career takes you, you have a responsibility to help change the relationship and the reputation our institutions have with society.

My definition of ‘innovative’ is providing value to the customer.