Getting to Know Collin Shaw, the next President of MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers Group The Automotive Leaders Podcast

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In this episode of the Automotive Leaders Podcast, Jan Griffiths interviews Collin Shaw, the incoming President of MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers Group. They talk about leadership, transformation, and culture in the automotive industry.
Collin shares his leadership philosophy: enjoying work, showing empathy, and building a solid team. He tells us how his early leadership role taught him the importance of guiding others toward success and how leadership isn't just about the leader but about empowering others to thrive.
Collin identifies focus as the biggest challenge in the auto industry as we wrestle with electrification, software-defined vehicles, and supply chain disruptions. He stresses the need for leaders to provide a clear vision for the future and rally their teams around it to foster unity and direction.
Discussing his new role in MEMA, Collin highlights the stability and strong leadership already in place. He emphasizes the need to understand current trends and member needs without " blowing things up." He aims to adapt and enhance existing foundations to serve members better and foster community engagement.
Collin identifies vulnerability and empathy as crucial authentic leadership traits, especially in a multi-generational workforce. He underscores the importance of leaders admitting their limitations and fostering connections across diverse teams.
On a personal note, Collin shares his passion for music and how it takes him off the stress of business life. Discussing the importance of mindset in setting the tone for the day, he stresses the importance of starting the day with meaningful connections and a sense of purpose, setting the stage for productivity and fulfillment in both personal and professional endeavors.
Themes discussed in this episode:
The ongoing transformation in the automotive industryLeadership philosophy that focuses on enjoying work, empathy towards employees, and team-buildingPersonal stories and experiences that shaped ideas of leadershipIdentifying focus as the primary challenge facing the automotive industry amidst various disruptions Building a community within organizations and associations like MEMA How Vulnerability and Accountability contribute to effective leadership The importance of starting the day with a positive mindset, fueled by meaningful interactions with family and a sense of purpose in work
Featured: Collin Shaw 
What he does: Incoming President of the MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers group. He initially joined MEMA as president of the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) in early 2022. 
On leadership: “The very first thing that I find to be important as a leader is: let's have fun, let's laugh. Now, second to that, I think it's important that you have empathy for those around you; you know, we all bring things to the table when it comes to leadership. We all have baggage, good or bad, and making sure that you're empathetic as a leader is vitally important to the success of your team.”
Mentioned in this episode:
Julie Fream to Depart MEMA, Collin Shaw Named as Her Successor, Effective April 1, 2024a href="https://www.hdaw.org/"...