Themes discussed in this episode:
-The broad range of opportunities within the auto industry
-How automotive leadership is embracing a purpose-driven culture
-The challenges of attracting — and retaining — Gen Z talent
-Competency-based development and a new way of hiring
-How Volkswagen is Expanding its talent pool
-The pathway to diverse representation in future leadership
-How to put vulnerable leadership into practice
➡️FULL PODCAST EPISODE LINK: https://theautomotiveleaderspodcast.com/episode/next-gen-automotive-leadership-with-volkswagen-csmo-andrew-savvas
Featured Guest: Andrew Savvas
What he does: Andrew is the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Volkswagen North America. His previous Volkswagen management experience has spanned four continents, and his track record of success in different regional markets has made him one of the auto industry’s most highly-regarded business strategists.
On leadership: “Work out what you're good at and really be comfortable in your own skin […] Don't pretend you're someone else. Don't try to emulate somebody else. Listen, learn, observe, and just focus on how you can make yourself better.”
Episode Highlights
Timestamped inflection points from the show
[3:05] ‘I never dreamed about cars’: Andrew recounts his winding path into the auto industry from immigrating to Australia, working in a fish market, and eventually landing in sales — and he names the people who believed in him along the way.
[7:05] The VW connection: Jan and Andrew discuss the variety of opportunities in the global auto industry, and Jan reveals what kind of car she drives.
[10:27] ICE to BEV: Product transformation is happening as the industry shifts to electric, but how is the leadership model changing? Jan recalls her interview with Stephen Covey about winning in the workplace, and Andrew emphasizes the importance of seeking new viewpoints.
[12:32] Purpose-driven leadership: Jan remembers Stefan Krause how explained the movement from compliance to conviction in German OEMs. Andrew offers his perspective.
[14:00] Can’t win the numbers game: Andrew says he may not be the smartest in the room, but he energizes his team members through vulnerable leadership. He goes on to elaborate on Volkswagen’s regional market design process.
[18:09] Succession planning: How does Volkswagen attract Gen Z talent? For Andrew, it’s about promoting the industry and competency-based development.
[21:05] Know the way, show the way: Jan talks about the workplace culture shift and the generational differences that make it hard to empower Gen Z. Andrew emphasizes delivering a sense of purpose and diversifying the industry.
[26:11] Building the pipeline: For Andrew, diversity is the number one challenge in the industry. He shares his experience of growing up as a Greek Cypriot, then details what he’s doing at VW to create diverse representation in future leadership.
[31:21] Hire up: Competency-based hiring sounds good in theory, but most organizations are too afraid to follow through with it. Andrew gives two examples of this actually working.
[36:48] 21 traits: Andrew has no trouble choosing his favorite from Jan’s 21 traits of authentic leadership — vulnerability. He explains how he arrived at this realization early in his career and learned to ask questions.
[41:26] Showing his personal side: Andrew talks about his diverse podcast playlist and his biggest demon of distraction.
[47:11] Closing comments: Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not, Andrew urges. He explains why authenticity is so important in a person’s career development.
----------------------------------------------
🎙Subscribe and Listen to more of this episode for FREE 👉 https://theautomotiveleaderspodcast.com/
📰Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.gravitasdetroit.com/the-automotive-leaders-letter
🌐 Learn more at 👉 https://www.gravitasdetroit.com/
