Susie Wolff | Driven | Talks at Google
Talks at Google · 45:00 · 2 months ago
Susie Wolff’s journey from a professional racing driver to an executive leader proves that developing resilience, embracing collaboration, and ignoring doubts are vital for navigating male-dominated fields and creating systemic change.
- Physical training — Managing G-forces in a Formula One car is relentlessly demanding, though power steering allows drivers to customize steering effort to their preference .
- Representation — Embracing femininity, such as driving a pink car, proved effective at attracting young girls to the sport, helping to debunk the idea that racing is only for men .
- Handling failure — Developing grit and learning from losses is more defining for a long-term career than raw talent or early wins .
- Overcoming skepticism — Launching the F1 Academy required persistent negotiation to get all 11 Formula One teams on board, refusing to accept rejection when the project faced initial resistance .
- Collaborative leadership — When navigating new initiatives, it is effective to admit when you lack answers and instead rally others to build solutions together .
- Career pivots — When changing professional paths, it is essential to trust your instincts and avoid living according to other people’s expectations .