The Genesis of Positive and Inclusive Leadership with CEO of Hyundai Canada | Don Romano

In this powerful and inspiring episode of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, we sit down with Don Romano, CEO of Hyundai Canada, to unpack his revolutionary approach to leadership that reshaped the entire company's culture. Don shares his compelling journey from battling challenging customer and dealer relations to fostering a thriving environment where trust, inclusivity, and open dialogue are the cornerstones of success. Through captivating stories and key experiences, Don illustrates the power of listening and cultural understanding, drawing from his time in the Middle East to his current initiatives at Hyundai Canada. Learn about "Discussions with Don," an initiative that promotes honest and fear-free communication, and see how this approach has driven both productivity and creativity within the organization. Don's perspective on the delicate balance between being receptive to feedback and managing expectations offers invaluable insights for leaders at all levels. Lastly, we explore the profound impact of authentic leadership and values alignment. Hear firsthand how Don integrates core values like honesty, integrity, and resilience into the very DNA of Hyundai Canada, and how these principles have spurred business growth and innovation. Don's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is not just a corporate mantra but a lived reality that provides a competitive edge and a more engaging workplace. This episode is filled with valuable wisdom for anyone seeking to cultivate a positive, inclusive and high-performing organization. What You’ll Learn: • Rebuilding trust through active listening. • The significance of fostering a psychologically safe environment for driving innovation and performance. • How authenticity and self-awareness shape effective management. • Strategies for integrating diversity, equity and inclusion into business practices. • How inclusivity can transform company culture. • The importance of aligning organizational values with employee development. • The balance between being receptive to feedback and managing expectations. Podcast Timestamps: (00:00) Rebuilding Trust Through A Listen-First Philosophy (12:44) Asking Questions: A Key Change Management Skill (20:03) The Power of Authentic Leadership (28:00) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Driving Forces for Success (32:57) Core Values Alignment: A Leadership Superpower (44:07) Leading with Empathy More of Don: Don Romano is the President and CEO of Hyundai Canada, a position he has held since January 2014. Under his leadership, Hyundai Canada has risen to become one of the nation's leading automotive brands and the largest mainstream electric vehicle distributor. Romano is recognized for championing initiatives that promote a diverse and inclusive corporate culture, resulting in Hyundai Canada being named a great place to work for five consecutive years and one of the best workplaces for women. The company has also been honored as a five-star Diversity and Inclusion Employer by Human Resources Director. In 2021, Automotive News named Romano a notable champion of diversity. Prior to joining Hyundai, Romano held senior positions at Toyota, Nissan North America, and Mazda Motor Company. Mentions: Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott Key Topics Discussed: Positive Leadership, Building Trust, Open Communication, Organizational Culture, Customer Experience, Active Listening, Receiving Feedback, Authentic Leadership, Values Alignment, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Employee Development, Creativity, Positive Work Environment, Psychological Safety, Self-Awareness, Empathy, Adaptability, Career Development, Learning from Mistakes, Fostering Innovation, High-Performance Leaders, Inclusive Organization, CEO Success. More of Do Good to Lead Well: Website: https://craigdowden.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdowden/