Lead with a Learning Mindset

Since I first began my career as an engineer, I’ve learned many things and experienced pivotal moments that shaped who I am today. 

One thing I’m particularly grateful for is that during my time at General Motors , I’ve been given many opportunities to stretch beyond what I learned in college, and beyond what I ever expected an engineer’s career could look like. 

At its core, engineering is about solving problems, and improving people’s lives.

Many of these assignments were not easy, and I was lucky to have the support of great leaders and mentors. What stands out now, as GM transitions to an all-electric, autonomous future, is how well those experiences prepared me to understand that change creates opportunity.

Embracing new experiences and adopting a learning mindset can lead to remarkable personal and professional growth. Whether you’re just starting your career, or have a senior role in your company, I encourage you to keep these two things in mind when you get a chance to do something new or different:

1. Embrace every turn in your career path.

I’m often asked what advice I would give to my younger self, and my answer remains the same: Go for it. My career path has certainly not been linear – and looking back, I’m glad it wasn’t. I learned valuable lessons in each step along the way. 

Early in my career at GM, I worked as a controls engineer and was responsible for keeping the body shop running. At 27, I had the chance to take on a leadership role in an area that I knew would challenge me. Upon moving into this role, I quickly learned that challenge can drive meaningful change.

This opportunity rerouted my career path, and although I experienced uncertainty at the time, it was one of the best decisions I made. Because of this mindset, I embraced taking on roles ranging from manufacturing and product development to human resources. Each experience taught me new things about myself, the people around me, and the impact we are creating.

2. Find ways to say yes. 

When new opportunities arise, I always tell the team to find ways to say yes, because that’s how you learn the most about yourself. I’m proud that employees like Tarek Kaafarani embody this spirit of growth and the possibilities the future brings. 

An alumnus of GM’s TRACK early career development program, Tarek is a controls engineer who supports battery assembly for our growing #EV lineup. Like many GM employees, he has also mastered Technical Learning University courses that help strengthen skills that support his daily job responsibilities and broaden his understanding of new applications.

“We're trying to create an all-electric future where there’s zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion,” says Tarek. “It really shows how the future is going to be a better place because of the strides that we’re making.”

Together, our employees are both excelling in their current roles and tackling growth opportunities for rewarding careers, today and tomorrow.

There’s so much to learn in this world, especially as technology and innovation drive rapid change. As we embrace the game-changing possibilities of an all-electric, autonomous future, I’m optimistic for what’s to come as our teams learn and grow together. So, I encourage you to challenge yourself to find your “yes” – and go for it.