Padmasree Warrior, one of Silicon Valley’s best-known technology executives, shifted industries in 2016 to be part of the global competition to develop electric automobiles. Several months after leaving her position as chief technology officer at Cisco Systems Inc. she joined the Chinese electric auto startup, NextEv Inc. Warrior was appointed as the company’s U.S. chief executive officer and head of software development.

The Indian-born Warrior said that she was looking to enter a new field after her days at Cisco where her thirty years of technology experience would be relevant. “I wanted to be part of creating something that is bigger and different,” she said. When Warrior joined NextEv, the company had not yet produced electric cars for the consumer market. NextEv, however, had developed a single-passenger race car that had competed in major racing events for electric vehicles. The company plans to sell its electric cars first in China, and then branch into other markets. NextEv is intent on competing directly with Tesla.

Warrior’s experience and values fit well into the NextEv mission that reads in part: “Our aspiration is to shape an exciting lifestyle for our users by delivering next-generation connected vehicles. We are a company dedicated to becoming a user enterprise that transforms vehicle ownership to a pure delight. We are passionate about user experience.” Warrior envisions developing a new mode of transportation that leverages all of the technology advances that have been incorporated into the Internet and mobile devices. Although NextEv USA is not yet selling any vehicles, the company is able to operate and hire people with approximately $1 billion in startup funding.

Warrior advises young people to take risks in their career. She says, “A lot of people stay in the same industry sometimes for their entire lives.” From her viewpoint, it is better to go after new opportunities and take new challenges, and see what else you can do with your career.

As a NextEv leader, Warrior is committed to creating a culture that outlasts changes in technology. The culture should be passionate about starting a movement in an industry with a hundred-year legacy. She envisions the new culture to be international in scope, sparked by smart people who work collaboratively to combine their experiences from different specialties. She believes that hiring great talent is the leader’s job. Warrior handpicked the first hundred hires to NextEv USA. A key selection criterion was whether the candidate was passionate about developing a car that will be the smartest device people will own. She contends that passion is more important than years in a job when selecting among job candidates. “In my book, tech chops + drive + hunger to learn scores over experience any day.”

Warrior says that as a leader, she is passionate about technology, entrepreneurship, and global business. She says that she is a tireless advocate on behalf of women in technology.

Source: Original story created from facts and observations in the following sources: Sarah Buhar, “Padmasree Warrior on Why She Chose to Take on Her New Role as NextEv CEO,” TC (https://techcrunch.com), December 16, 2015. pp. 1–5; Claire Dodson, “The Road Warrior: Padmasree Warrior,” Fast Company, May 2016, p. 20; Don Clark, “Warrior Joins Electric-Car Startup,” The Wall Street Journal, December 16, 2015, p. B5; “Padmasree Warrior: CEO at NextEV USA,” www.linkedin.com, July 27, 2016, pp. 1–7; Padmasree Warrior, “Why Building a Great Team Is the Key to an Ideal Workplace,” www.linkedin.com, July 26, 2013, pp. 1–3.

1)To what extent to do think that Warrior is taking on too big a risk by trying to be competitive in the electric car business?
2)Which personality-related leadership traits does Warrior appear to demonstrate?

3)Which cognitive skills does Warrior possess that are particular relevant in her role as CEO of NextEv?

4)What is your evaluation of Warrior’s belief that passion about electric cars and technology skills are more important than experience in hiring people to work at the company?