Understanding EV Startups & Industry Dynamics with Larry Burns The Automotive Leaders Podcast

This episode is sponsored by Lockton, click here to learn more
Watch the full video on YouTube - click here
Meet Larry Burns, a leading voice in the world of mobility. From serving as Corporate VP of R&D for General Motors to consulting for tech companies like Waymo, Larry bridges the gap between legacy OEM and tech-startup worlds. 
During this episode of the Automotive Leaders podcast, Larry addresses critical questions about the EV startup DNA, what enables its success, and the challenges traditional automotive culture poses. He revealed why traditional OEMs struggled with EV innovation and discussed how leadership played into the success of tech companies like BYD and Tesla in the EV market. He highlights the need for empowerment and a culture that embraces failure as a learning opportunity.
Discussing the kind of leadership the auto industry needs, Larry advocates for the "power of and," suggesting that effective leadership encompasses multiple traits rather than a single characteristic, emphasizing empathy, teamwork, and setting the proper examples in leadership behavior.
Furthermore, Larry highlights the evolving nature of leadership in today's world, where personal and professional lives are intertwined. He stresses maintaining personal values while balancing work and family life.
As the podcast wrapped up, Larry said that moving from ICE to BEV marks only the beginning. He stressed how technology is reshaping travel habits and urged leaders to adapt. Larry emphasized how crucial it is for companies to grasp these changes in mobility and encouraged them to grab onto the new tech opportunities coming their way.
Themes discussed in this episode:
The importance of authentic leadership traits in fostering innovative learning environments.Challenges in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, especially in demanding industries.The transition from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)The success of EV startups and their unique approach to technology.The impact of traditional automotive culture on hindering innovation.The transformative potential of communication and information technology in shaping the future of mobility.Difference between traditional OEM and EV startups
Featured: Larry Burns 
What he does: Larry is a prominent advisor in mobility, logistics, manufacturing, energy, and innovation. With a distinguished background as General Motors’ Corporate Vice President of Research & Development and Planning, Larry now consults for various organizations, including Kitson & Partners, Niron Magnetics, and Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE). His expertise lies in autonomous electric vehicles and their transformative impact on transportation services, a topic he explores in his book “Autonomy: The Quest to Build the Driverless Car―And How It Will Reshape Our World.”
On leadership: “There’s not one magic pill a person can take to be a great leader. You must be very sensitive to the people you’re leading. If you don’t set the right examples in your behavior, whether it’s integrity or treating people with dignity and respect, if you overreact to someone who had a...