Was anyone surprised that Mary Barra was in the passenger seat?

[LightningBolt]

I've held a position in a large corporation high enough to work alongside executives like this and one observation is is that as a general rule, executives are very concerned with power and posturing. With that in mind, I was a little surprised to see Mary Barra take a subordinate position (aka the passenger seat) and have Tadge drive for the pre-reveal event. I get that Tadge is the corvette chief engineer, but Mary is his boss and at the end of the day, his glory is her glory. She took the position of the wife. Not very CEO like. A number of female executives in my experience are sensitive about the fact that they have had to work harder than their male counterparts to achieve the position and recognition they deserve. Maybe she is giving her CE the honors of presenting the product his teams hard work. Maybe she just hates to drive. Someday I hope stuff like this doesn't matter.

Thoughts?

[John]

I think you nailed when you posted, “Maybe she is giving her CE the honors of presenting the product his team’s hard work.”

As to you other questions, ary Barra is a gearhead in her own right. Been that way for many decades, and her first car she bought/chose was a muscle car in the early 1970’s. Her personal car right now is a 2016 with a Z07 package.

As you suggested, maybe she just felt that Tadge who lead the team that created the car, has driven a C8 many times, a) earned that right, and b) asked him to do so. I do not think it is anything re first class versus second class, nor demeaning of her specifically, nor of women in general. She is very secure in her own capabilities and how the automotive, financial and others parts of the world view her as a powerful, super skilled leader of a top American company.

[Boomer]

Not surprised at all. Very "CEO like". Also not surprised Tadge opened the door for her.

[meyerweb]

I've held a position in a large corporation high enough to work alongside executives like this and one observation is is that as a general rule, executives are very concerned with power and posturing. With that in mind, I was a little surprised to see Mary Barra take a subordinate position (aka the passenger seat) and have Tadge drive for the pre-reveal event. I get that Tadge is the corvette chief engineer, but Mary is his boss and at the end of the day, his glory is her glory. She took the position of the wife. Not very CEO like. A number of female executives in my experience are sensitive about the fact that they have had to work harder than their male counterparts to achieve the position and recognition they deserve. Maybe she is giving her CE the honors of presenting the product his teams hard work. Maybe she just hates to drive. Someday I hope stuff like this doesn't matter

Thoughts?

I didn't see it as "position of the wife." I saw it as Tadge had the "position of the chauffeur," delivering his boss to the announcement.

And I don't think she hates to drive. She has a Z06 as her company car. I think she is secure enough in her role and her person to not worry how this makes her look.

[John]

Tadge is the chauffeur. Very cool. I am sure he enjoyed that role too.

[LightningBolt]

I think you nailed when you posted, “Maybe she is giving her CE the honors of presenting the product his team’s hard work.”

As to you other questions, ary Barra is a gearhead in her own right. Been that way for many decades, and her first car she bought/chose was a muscle car in the early 1970’s. Her personal car right now is a 2016 with a Z07 package.

As you suggested, maybe she just felt that Tadge who lead the team that created the car, has driven a C8 many times, a) earned that right, and b) asked him to do so. I do not think it is anything re first class versus second class, nor demeaning of her specifically, nor of women in general. She is very secure in her own capabilities and how the automotive, financial and others parts of the world view her as a powerful, super skilled leader of a top American company.

This is what I hoped the answer would be. I know little and less about Tadge and Mary respectively, although I knew people (thankfully retired) that would have stolen the spotlight from Tadge in a similar situation. And yes, Boomer, I thought Tadge opening the door for Ms. Barra was very classy too.

[Milliwatt Rob]

First of all, it may have been the first time she was ever in the car, or even seen it. If she had been driving and there were some mishap or break down, the motoring press would have had a Field Day. A mid engine may drive differently the first time. And in mid town Manhattan traffic?

Her busy schedule probably would not have afforded time for a sufficient familiarization drive.

Maybe she wanted to drive, but changed her mind when she saw the drivers seat was stained with Big Mac Special Sauce from all those McDonalds luncheons.

Remember the Pace Car incident at the Detroit Auto Race?

[Mack]

We don’t need another pace car like incident. And I agree with that statement Milliwatt Bob.

[Mobius]

I've held a position in a large corporation high enough to work alongside executives like this and one observation is is that as a general rule, executives are very concerned with power and posturing. With that in mind, I was a little surprised to see Mary Barra take a subordinate position ...

This is something I've been thinking about as well after watching the video. Male/female roles in our society are in a state of flux, unfortunately, and the majority of young male engineers and scientists that have joined my company over the last 5 years (in particular) are surprisingly feminine (relative to the standards I grew up with). This video provides some quick insight into the causes of these social changes.

You can imagine my pleasure in seeing Mary enjoy the ride while Tadge did the driving. It was very refreshing to see, and as the CEO why would she want to do the driving? Does she also drive the limos that she travels in?

I also liked that Tadge opened the door for Mary - to me it sent such a pleasant message about the nature of traditional male/female interaction.

Overall, that the NYC video was very well done!

[electroVette]

I viewed it like others did as Tadge taking on a chauffer role. It was also gracious of Barra to give Tadge the spotlight and I'm not sure other GM brass like Reuss would have let him have as much media exposure. It speaks to Barra's confidence in her alpha status and her recognition of the Corvette team's accomplishment. Very classy and cool of her.

[AbqVic]

Genuinely powerful women are secure enough to not abandon their femininity. They embrace traditional customs and accept masculine courtesies without feeling threatened.

[FrankLP]

Thought the video was executed very well. I hadn’t thought about “roles” and/or symbolism at all.

To me it it was two corporate leaders enjoying the experience and demonstrating excitement and pride for their next (revolutionary) generation Corvette.

[JB]

Ms Barra is confident enough in herself and her staff to not have a problem with the head of the corvette project drive the c8 mule to the event...

with her as being the passenger...


when the president of the united states is being driven around as a passenger such comments are never made.

The original pemise of this thread because the CEO was being driven JMOis quite sexist..

mary Barra rocks as CEO.

[07MontyRed]

I also liked that Tadge opened the door for Mary - to me it sent such a pleasant message about the nature of traditional male/female interaction.

I so agree. And very refreshing that everybody seemed very comfortable with it all.

[frankb]

Maybe they flipped a coin and he won. Real men always open doors for a women no matter who they are or what car there in. Maybe I,m to old fashion.