玛丽•芭拉：从工读生到通用汽车女掌门

    通用汽车目前面临的最大挑战是什么？

    我想把问题转化一下来回答，那就是“在我看来，我们正面临着哪些最大的机遇？”在中国市场我们处于强势地位，在这一基础上我们要再接再励。卡迪拉克是通用汽车另一个巨大的机遇——我们拥有优质的产品和优秀的产品系列，也已下定决心恢复卡迪拉克真正的豪华品牌地位。

    通用汽车哪款车的公众形象和实际品质相差最大？

    要属我们去年发布的雪佛兰羚羊车型，它非常漂亮。如果你看过行业专家写的外部评估，会发现它能与多数高端品牌相抗衡。我期待人们这么说：“这就是雪佛兰羚羊！我得留个心。”

    你的职业理念是什么？

    我父母出生并且成长在经济大萧条时期，因此他们非常重视诚实和勤劳的品质，我也把这一点带入了我所做的每一个工作当中。另一个核心理念是：我相信团队的力量。我相信，如果你与别人团结一致，赢得员工全心全意的支持，同时能够让他们了解公司的发展方向并愿意为之付出努力，你就能取得巨大的成功。

    你提出过升职的要求吗？

    没有。

    你提出过加薪的要求吗？

    也没有。

    这反映了你对待职业生涯的态度哪一点？

    我常说的一句话是，“把每份工作当作毕生的事业来看待，做到能够完完全全地驾驭它。”真正做出成绩，同时保持高度的诚信和团队精神，其它问题就会迎刃而解。根本不需要去提升职的要求，也不需要去提涨工资的要求。

    你在自己的职业生涯中有没有经历过转折点？

    公司刚从破产困境中走出来时，我们力图改变公司的内外面貌，这时我被指派领导人事部门。在此之前我的整个职业生涯都是围绕着工程与运营。我在人力资源这个岗位上学到了很多东西。当时我与公司高层员工们一起参与制定了许多战略，我想正是这一点使我具备了在之后领导全球产品开发的能力。

    有没有人告诫你不要接手人力资源总裁的职位？要知道人们一直以来都告诫职场女性，如果想走向高层，就不要接手这一女性职位。

    当然有。无论公司内部还是外部，都有人欲言又止。但当我用自己的眼睛去看时，我对自己说：“你看，这是一个很好的机会；如果接受了这个职位，就能在正确的岗位上用正确的方法，真正使所有员工达到最好的工作状态。”于是我下定决心接手这份工作。人力资源部理应得到更多尊重。

    So what is GM's biggest challenge right now?

    I'll answer the question as, What do I think our biggest opportunities are? We have a position of strength in China. [We need] to build on that. Another huge opportunity for General Motors is Cadillac. We have the right products and the right portfolio, and we're committed to regaining our status as a true luxury brand.

    What GM car has the biggest gap between public image and actual quality?

    The Chevrolet Impala. We launched that last year. It's a beautiful car. If you read some of the external assessments by industry experts, that car competes with premium brands. I'm hoping people are saying, "Hey, this is a vehicle, this Chevrolet Impala. I've got to take notice."

    What's your career philosophy?

    My parents were both born and raised in the Depression. They instilled great values about integrity and the importance of hard work, and I've taken that with me to every job. Another kind of core tenet is: I believe in the power of teamwork, and I think you will have superior results if you are aligned and win the hearts and minds of your employees if they understand where the company is going and they're all in.

    Have you ever asked for a promotion?

    No, I have not.

    Have you ever asked for a raise?

    No, I have not.

    What does that reflect about your approach to your career?

    What I always say is, "Do every job you're in like you're going to do it for the rest of your life and demonstrate that ownership of it." You deliver and produce results and you do it with high integrity and teamwork, and it'll all work out. You don't have to ask for different jobs, and you don't have to ask for raises.

    Have you had a turning point in your career?

    When I was asked to lead human resources as the company was coming out of the bankruptcy, we were going to work to change the view of the company both inside and outside. Prior to that, my whole career had been primarily in operations and engineering. I learned a lot in that role. I was involved with the senior staff on a lot of strategic issues, and I think that enabled me to transition into global product development.

    Did anyone warn you against taking the HR job because it's the stereotypical female job that a lot of women are advised not to take if they want to get to the top?

    Absolutely. I had people from within and outside the company saying, "Hmm." But when I looked at it, I said, "Hey, there's a real opportunity here to make sure we start with the right plan in place to really engage our workforce." So I was committed. Human Resources deserves a lot of respect.