Rob Thomas, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team

Leadership 2050

In episode 2 of this bonus miniseries of Leadership2050, Andrew White and co-host Adam Canwell of EY talk to Rob Thomas, Chief Operating Officer of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.

What can leaders who’ve been through the process of radical organisational change teach us about the secrets of a successful transformation? What are the pitfalls to avoid?

Rob Thomas has led the transformation of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team at a critical point in the company’s history, and here he talks frankly about what worked, and what he’d do differently next time.

Says Rob: “You’ve got to find a way to enjoy it, because it takes its toll. And don’t try to carry the burden on your own shoulders. People appreciate honesty. We told them we didn’t have all the answers. And the emotion and uncertainty part of it is perfectly normal. You’re not alone. We all feel it at every single level.”

For this special deep dive into transformation leadership Dr Andrew White has teamed up with research partner Adam Canwell from the EY organisation to explore the journey global leaders and their workforce went through as they successfully led their organisations through significant change. The series is part of a year-long research project in which Andrew and Adam’s team has surveyed 935 senior leaders and direct reports, as well as 1,127 workforce members from around the globe and across multiple industries. Their aim is to demystify the process of transformation.

Featuring:

Dr Andrew White, Senior Fellow of Management Practice, Saïd Business

School, University of Oxford.

Adam Canwell, EY Oceania Workforce Advisory Leader.

Rob Thomas, Chief Operating Officer, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One

Team.

Resources:

• Subscribe to Andrew’s Leadership2050 Newsletter on LinkedIn

• Discover more articles, podcasts and videos from Saïd Business School on

the challenges business leaders of the future need to consider on Oxford

Answers

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