Businessman

Never make a joke or try for humor at someone else's expense. In a high-stakes environment, everyone needs to feel safe.

There's a Ford dealer in every city around the United States. They're the fabric of the community. They're either head of the chamber of commerce or the priest, or I mean they're just the fabric of America, and they took care of us.

It is just more rewarding to do things in a supportive environment.

At the most fundamental level, it is an honor to serve - at whatever type or size of organization you are privileged to lead, whether it is a for-profit or nonprofit. It is an honor to serve. Starting from that foundation, it is important to have a compelling vision and a comprehensive plan.

An important part of leadership is being able to hold two things in your mind at once: Dealing with the reality, whatever it may be, and focus on hope for the future. Any leader helping an organization through challenges needs to be able to do both.

It's all about producing products people want.

I can remember the first time I tried to drive into the garage of the world headquarters of Ford in a Camry. It was almost like they wouldn't let me in. They said, 'Why do you want to do that?' I said, 'Because we are going to make the best cars in the world, and we need to know everything about the competitor's car.'

The similarities between commercial airplanes and automobiles are striking. It's all about safe and efficient transportation using the latest technology and the best fuel efficiency.

I grew up with Microsoft. I know the leadership of Microsoft.

There is a great market for cars in the United States - as Honda and Toyota have proven.

A lot of people don't want to get bad news.

It was an honor to serve at Boeing on the 777.

I found a new love in Google. I'm a Googler now.

I felt very comfortable moving from aerospace to automobiles.

The most important thing is the fact we have created this successful and sustainable Ford Motor Co. worldwide. I have no regrets.

Nothing will ever have the impact that 9/11 had on Boeing and on the world. It just changed things overnight.

My career has been spent developing airplanes.