Barra rose through the ranks to GM. She began working at GM at the young age of eighteen as a co-op student. Over the years he has held numerous positions making numerous positive changes to the company. Making changes in the Human Resources department, which resulted in people working together for the good of the company. Leadership Approaches Barra is known for her conservative attitude, which she maintained throughout GM's entire bankruptcy. Although he was not the CEO at the time, he had been working there for several years. According to Steven Snyder, when Barra took over, he “immediately went to work, streamlining the product line, improving quality and efficiency, and better aligning the product with customer needs” (2014). Barra states, “It is truly amazing how powerful it can be when a leader treats a worker as a capable, well-intentioned human being, rather than a number on the assembly line” (2009). He also believes that a leader should never stop learning, which he has continued to do throughout his career. Fundamental leadership