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No matter what industry you’re in, you can learn a lot from the experiences and advice of veterans of the automotive industry. Manufacturing CEOs and influential designers learn many lessons over the years about successful leadership, which some of them share to interested readers in self-penned publications. If you want to learn lessons from the world of car manufacturing, check out these excellent leadership books by automotive industry veterans.
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We recommend these management and leadership books by automotive industry gurus
The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World’s Greatest Manufacturer by Jeffrey K. Liker
One of the biggest hits to come from this literary niche was originally published in 2003 and has spawned many spin-off publications. Jeffrey K. Liker, a professor of industrial and operations engineering at the University of Michigan, was inspired by Toyota’s success record and its approach to managing a thriving business. In The Toyota Way, Liker identifies Toyota’s principles of eliminating wasteful and overpriced practices while empowering employees can lead any business to success.
Icons and Idiots: Straight Talk on Leadership by Bob Lutz
Former Vice Chairman of General Motors Bob Lutz has penned a couple of books inspired by his experiences with the legendary automaker. Icons and Idiots, his publication focused most on leadership practices, consists of Lutz’s observations and evaluations of other leaders in the automotive industry, such as BMW, Ford, and Chrysler CEOs. Teaching via examples, Lutz shares juicy, scandalous behind-the-scenes stories of management gone wrong — and gone right.
Where Have All the Leaders Gone? by Lee Iacocca
Although this book is somewhat outdated by now — as it was specifically written in 2007 in preparation for the 2008 presidential election — many of the observations and entreaties made by Iacocca still ring true today. As a revolutionary in Ford’s and Chrysler’s history, Iacocca has a lot to say about how management practices have changed in America over the past decades. If we want to see change in industries like auto manufacturing, we need more integrity, generosity, hard work, and optimism.
Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation by James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones
Originally the research director of the International Motor Vehicle Program at M.I.T., Womack has a unique perspective on the ups and downs of the industry over the years. Partnering with Daniel T. Jones, Womack writes about the ways that any business can bounce back from an economic depression, following the example of automakers who were able to realign their vision with customers and streamline operations.
American Turnaround: Reinventing AT&T and GM and the Way We Do Business in the USA by Edward Whitacre
The American economy underwent disastrous times in the late 2000s, and the depression hit companies like General Motors hard. In the midst of this financial struggle, President Obama called former AT&T CEO Ed Whitacre out of retirement to help bring GM back to success. Whitacre shares how he was able to achieve this rebound in his book American Turnaround.
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The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.