Jess Bala: Leading Through Life’s Biggest Challenges with Vulnerability and Humanity

Jess Bala (0:03)

I think just constantly sharing that message with my team that there is so much more to life outside of work, and while work is a big part of it, it is so important that we love what we do, because you don't know when things will dramatically change out from under you. And so while we spend so many hours in the office or whatever your job is, if you don't enjoy it, you need to find something that you will enjoy. And I've always told my team, if that's not at GM, full support, I will help you find whatever that thing is, so that you can spend so much of your time being happy with what you do.

Darcy (0:35)

Hello, welcome to another episode of the Empowering Leaders podcast. Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. VU is ranked number six in the world for sports science, training the next generation of athletes and coaches inside facilities that include Australia's only Altitude Hotel. It's the same pursuit of high performance we explore on this podcast week after week. Learn more at vu.edu.au.

If you enjoy listening to the Empowering Leaders podcast, be sure to subscribe and please if you have a moment, we would love you to leave a review so we can reach more listeners and empower more leaders.

Jess Bala was the managing director of General Motors Australia in New Zealand and one of the most senior leaders in the Australian automotive industry. Jess began her career with General Motors and has built an impressive global career across sales, marketing, product planning and strategy. She holds degrees in law and commerce as well as an MBA and has worked at GM's global headquarters in Detroit, including time as chief of staff to General Motors chair and CEO, Mary Barra. Jess has worked across Australia and New Zealand, overseeing brands and operations including Cadillac, GM Specialty Vehicles, Isuzu New Zealand and Holden After Sales. Jess, great to see you.

Jess Bala (1:46)

Thanks Darcy for having me.

Darcy (1:47)

Thanks for joining me. It's a long standing family connection, Jess.

My love and relationship for your dad, who was the club doctor at the Bulldogs the whole time I was a player there and for many decades and had a huge influence on hundreds of us. What's your early memories of the red, white and blue and it's obviously a big part of who you are as well.

Jess Bala (2:09)

It absolutely is. I used to tell people at school, they'd ask me what my religion was and I'd say it's the Bulldogs. I bleed red, white and blue and always have. I love that life's gone full circle.

Now, reconnecting with yourself and even Brad Johnson through some other channels to do with Chevy racing and things.

I mean, my whole childhood was growing up at Witton Oval. Popping back in there now occasionally is just amazing and watching the club go from strength to strength has just been awesome. Now, my three kids have got no choice. They also will bleed red, white and blue and I love that they now nag me, when are we going to the footy next? It's just one of those childhood dreams that you have grown up to do that with your own kids.

Darcy (2:49)

Yeah, it's brilliant to see it through your eyes and dad's. Doctor's surgery as a GP was just around the corner from the club in Droup Street and we were all there regularly as you were as young people growing up. But it was genuinely for you, that was just part of what the family did. And now you're seeing it with your own kids is a great thing, isn't it?

Jess Bala (3:08)

Yeah, it was. You're right.

I knew it was something special, but I don't think I realized how special it was till I had my own kids as well. And obviously, dad has since stepped away. Like Zara, my nine-year-old always said, well, you got to do this with granddad, and why don't we get to do this? And, you know, I get them as close to it as I can. But it was just such a huge part of my childhood. And, you know, for Sam and I in particular, and I remember, you know, specific games. I even, like, I tell dad this story now that he wrote me an excuse to get me out of a rehearsal for a school play on a weekend. And I was then seen on the TV at the MCG. I think it was a qualifying final. So dad's like, what am I going to do about it? You need to be at the footy. So it was just that sort of thing. You know, growing up, it was just a huge part and brought me so much joy, obviously heartbreak at the same time, but always so much joy.