About this book:

In "Turnaround Titan: How Mary Barra Saved and Reinvented an Automotive Empire," author explores the extraordinary leadership of Mary Barra as she navigated General Motors through its most challenging decade. Appointed CEO in 2014, Barra immediately confronted the devastating ignition switch scandal, a crisis rooted in years of corporate neglect. Rather than deflecting, she chose a path of radical transparency, commissioning an independent investigation, publicly apologizing to victims, dismissing key executives, and establishing a generous compensation fund. This decisive, empathetic response fundamentally reshaped GM's internal culture, moving it from bureaucratic complacency to one prioritizing safety, accountability, and ethical conduct.

Beyond crisis management, the book details Barra's audacious vision for industrial reinvention: a future with "zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion." This involved a monumental pivot towards electrification, epitomized by the groundbreaking Ultium battery platform and a multi-billion-dollar investment in new EV models like the Hummer EV and Silverado EV, along with extensive retooling of manufacturing plants. Simultaneously, GM ventured into autonomous driving with Cruise, navigating technological complexities and market pressures with resilience and strategic adaptation. Barra's leadership fostered a comprehensive cultural overhaul, emphasizing diversity, inclusion, and renewed collaboration with labor unions to secure the human capital essential for this transformation, ensuring GM's legacy as a leader in sustainable and safe mobility.

What You'll Find Inside:

• **Crisis Leadership & Accountability:** Explore Mary Barra's unprecedented response to the ignition switch scandal, including transparent investigations, public apologies, executive dismissals, and victim compensation, setting a new standard for corporate responsibility.
• **Industrial Reinvention & Electrification:** Discover how Barra boldly committed General Motors to an all-electric future by 2035, spearheading the development of the Ultium battery platform and a diverse lineup of EVs, from luxury sedans to heavy-duty trucks.
• **Cultural Transformation:** Learn about the profound cultural shifts Barra implemented, from streamlining bureaucratic policies (like the dress code) to fostering transparency, empowering employees, and embedding a 'safety first' mindset throughout the organization.
• **Autonomous Vehicle Ambitions:** Examine GM's journey into self-driving technology through its Cruise subsidiary, detailing the ambitious vision, significant investments, and the strategic pivots required to navigate complex technological and regulatory challenges.
• **Sustainability & Stakeholder Trust:** Understand Barra's holistic approach to corporate citizenship, encompassing aggressive renewable energy targets, ethical supply chain practices, community investment, and a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion to rebuild and maintain stakeholder trust.

Who's It For:

This book is essential reading for current and aspiring business leaders, executives, and board members seeking to understand how to navigate complex crises, drive large-scale industrial reinvention, and foster cultural change within established organizations. It also appeals to anyone interested in the future of the automotive industry, corporate ethics, and the strategic importance of transparency and stakeholder trust in an era of rapid technological and societal shifts.