Sign up for The Automotive Leaders Letter

In its debut season, the "Automotive Leaders Podcast," hosted by Jan Griffiths, takes you on a journey to explore the essence of authentic leadership. With a diverse array of guests, Jan leads you through conversations highlighting the significance of staying true to oneself in a corporate world where authenticity often takes a backseat. You'll encounter inspiring stories and profound perspectives from various leaders throughout the season. They collectively emphasize the importance of upholding one's values and consistently delivering one's personal best despite the competitive games and ego-driven behaviors that often plague the corporate world. 

Notably, the podcast explores the critical role of leaders during crises, drawing from real-life experiences like the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These stories exemplify how authentic leadership truly shines when facing adversity. Beyond leadership, the season also addresses pressing societal issues, including the profound impact of the Black Lives Matter movement. This broader perspective extends authentic leadership to encompass general social and moral responsibilities, underscoring the significance of leaders engaging in these essential dialogues. As the season concludes, it imparts valuable wisdom, providing a clear understanding of the fundamental principles of authentic leadership.

Themes discussed in this episode:

Authentic leadershipValue of continuous learning and adaptabilityLeadership during crisesSocietal issues and responsibilitiesDifferent perspectives on authentic leadershipPersonal Best and ValuesCommunication and Transparency

Featured: Jan Griffiths

What she does: Jan is the founder and CEO of Gravitas Detroit, an organization dedicated to cultivating authentic leadership in the automotive industry by providing courses, workshops, speaking events, and more. She is also the host of The Automotive Leaders Podcast.


Mentioned in this episode:

Phil Ideson, Founder Art of ProcurementEpisode with Don AkeryEpisode with Laura Lawson, EVP, Chief People Officer at UWMEpisode with Renee Harmon,  VP Leadership Development Team at UWM

Sign up for The Automotive Leaders Letter

In its debut season, the "Automotive Leaders Podcast," hosted by Jan Griffiths, takes you on a journey to explore the essence of authentic leadership. With a diverse array of guests, Jan leads you through conversations highlighting the significance of staying true to oneself in a corporate world where authenticity often takes a backseat. You'll encounter inspiring stories and profound perspectives from various leaders throughout the season. They collectively emphasize the importance of upholding one's values and consistently delivering one's personal best despite the competitive games and ego-driven behaviors that often plague the corporate world. 

Notably, the podcast explores the critical role of leaders during crises, drawing from real-life experiences like the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These stories exemplify how authentic leadership truly shines when facing adversity. Beyond leadership, the season also addresses pressing societal issues, including the profound impact of the Black Lives Matter movement. This broader perspective extends authentic leadership to encompass general social and moral responsibilities, underscoring the significance of leaders engaging in these essential dialogues. As the season concludes, it imparts valuable wisdom, providing a clear understanding of the fundamental principles of authentic leadership.

Themes discussed in this episode:

Authentic leadershipValue of continuous learning and adaptabilityLeadership during crisesSocietal issues and responsibilitiesDifferent perspectives on authentic leadershipPersonal Best and ValuesCommunication and Transparency

Featured: Jan Griffiths

What she does: Jan is the founder and CEO of Gravitas Detroit, an organization dedicated to cultivating authentic leadership in the automotive industry by providing courses, workshops, speaking events, and more. She is also the host of The Automotive Leaders Podcast.


Mentioned in this episode:

Phil Ideson, Founder Art of ProcurementEpisode with Don AkeryEpisode with Laura Lawson, EVP, Chief People Officer at UWMEpisode with Renee Harmon,  VP Leadership Development Team at UWMEpisode with Kevin Browett, Former CEO, Renaissance Media SolutionsEpisode with Jeneanne Hanley, Board Member of KLA, Former President of Lear E-SystemsMary Barra, CEO of General MotorsEpisode with Nick Skislak, Founder of SS Digital MediaEpisode with Kristy FerchoEpisode with Heather Klish, Former President, Dura AutomotiveEpisode with Cathy Mott, Emotional Intelligence ExpertEpisode with Nick Norris, Navy SEALBook Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink, The C4 FoundationEpisode with Mira Griffiths, Co-Founder and Podcast Host at The Mind TakeawayEpisode with Jim Bianchi, President of Bianchi Public RelationsEpisode with John Anderson, Founder, Replace RetirementWho will you become after the Crisis?” with Dave Sanderson, Author of Moments MatterEpisode with Ryan Berman, Co-founder of CourageousEpisode with Michael Chime, CEO of PreparedEpisode with Katelyn Davis, Ambassador for Millennials and MobilityEpisode No. 1 & No. 2 with Ann Carter, C-Suite Supply Chain ExecutiveEpisode with Paul Humphries, former President of Reliability Solutions at FlexEpisode with Todd Ballard, former Chief Marketing Officer at GoProEpisode with Dr. Andy Palmer, former COO of Nissan and CEO of Aston MartinSeason 2 Episode with Clint Bruce - Former Navy Special Warfare Officer, NFL Player and Entrepreneur


Episode Highlights:

[00:57] Podcasting odyssey: Jan's journey from podcasting novice to the culmination of Season 1, embracing challenges and growing in the podcasting environment.

[04:46] Mastering authentic leadership in a competitive world: A recap and summary of the key principles of authentic leadership discussed throughout the season. Reflecting on the wisdom shared by diverse leaders