Personal log: T plus six months
What's happened since I was laid off from General Motors?
Well, it’s been… weird. Unexpected. Unpredictable.
Since I was laid off after nearly 39 years at General Motors last November, I have discovered an unexpected parallel (which will resonate with some, but not all, of you): talking about being laid off is a lot like coming out of the closet.
I recently spent some time reconnecting with some friends from graduate school, a number of whom are not on social media—which generated a lot of “So, how’s life at GM?” questions. And, just like coming out takes a weight off your shoulders, so does talking about one’s layoff.
The reactions—whether I’m talking to friends, strangers, or former colleagues—have been rather consistent: “That stinks!” (or words to that effect) followed by a few choice (and sometimes unprintable) words aimed at GM leadership. One GM director I met said simply, “I have no words.” And then that’s often followed by the “one door closes, another one opens” sentiment—which is cliched, but actually true.
So, what’s happened in six months?
I launched my own LLC, AutoPerspectives, along with a website and blog, focused on consulting on automotive industry business and product strategies and trends.
I learned about video production and launched a weekly news roundup on YouTube under the AutoPerspectives brand and have joined Substack.
I’ve contributed several articles to Driving The Backroads and have joined both the Automotive Press Association and the International Motor Press Association.
I made my professional video debut talking about minimalism in automotive design at jaspercolin.com and later spoke to a group of graduate business students in Ireland about the changing automotive business model.
I made my public speaking debut at the M1 Concourse here in metro Detroit at their first cars-and-coffee event of 2025, talking about the Japanese auto industry.
I’ve been quoted in Automotive Dive, the Detroit Free Press, and the Toronto Globe and Mail, talking about Nissan, Cupra, and Honda.
I joined a great networking organization called Thrive, which is focused on service entrepreneurs (consultants, marketers, designers, coaches, etc.). It has proven to be an invaluable resource for both information and support, with peer groups, Slack channels, and weekly webinars.
As the new president of the Society of Automotive Analysts (a one-year term), I’ve stepped into a leadership role in an already well-run organization and am looking to continue that momentum this year.
I have met a lot of new and fascinating people: other ex-GMers who were also laid off, current employees who knew and appreciated my work, and other connections all over the auto industry. I’ve also been applying what I learned about mentoring from my GM days, chatting with several people find themselves at a career crossroads and are looking to discuss options.
I have met an amazing number of “recruiters” on LinkedIn who are “impressed” with my background and are looking for me to help their employer purchase or start a new “car company,” as long as I provide them with a WhatsApp or Telegram contact number. I have yet to meet Ms. Anna, Ms. Jenny, or Ms. Patricia, but I am sure they are all fascinating.
I have received a surprising number of cold-call emails from firms who have apparently not visited my website and so don’t know anything about my business, and who don’t even provide a URL for me to check them out.
I have not yet met Joel Lalgee (a/k/a “Realest Recruiter”), whose TikTok video on my story is now at 2 million views; maybe he’ll do a follow-up story on me… 😉I do, however, have a hard copy of my appearance on the front page of USAToday’s Money section. And, as my 15 minutes of fame approaches its expiration date, I’ll note I’ve had strangers approach me in public and ask, “Are you Adam…?” One was a GM employee who remembered me presenting at his new employee orientation ten years ago; another was a young GM engineer who’s been enjoying my LinkedIn posts.
On the personal front, I’ve developed a weekday routine that no longer involves getting up at 6.15 am (and still gets me to the gym for an hour or so each day).
I’ve spent more time experimenting in the kitchen with new recipes for my patient (and gastronomically open-minded) husband, including some rather challenging lemon cream meringue cookies for Easter.
I’ve added a 2025 Mini Cooper S to the fleet as a daily driver (alongside my 1972 Austin Mini and 1963 Buick Riviera) and decided to keep the 2024 Camaro Convertible for fun. The Mini is a blast (I just discovered “DJ mode”), with the only challenge being on the tech support side, which (given how much technology is baked into this little wonder) needs work. I hope to join the Mini on the Mack parade in Mackinaw City, Michigan, this August.
So, how’s business, you may ask? Well, I am having fun writing and talking about the industry (as well as doing the videos) without the “GM handcuffs”, shooting the breeze with others in this crazy business. My one-year severance agreement, oddly, does allow me to work for any GM competitor, but I can’t work for a GM supplier doing the same job I used to do for GM—which most people have characterized as “peculiar.” That means I’m a bit limited in consulting opportunities, but I’m also in no rush—I’ve only been in business less than five months, so, come this November 15, I’m hoping to be able to branch out a bit. Meanwhile, I have a few other irons in the fire, as it were, but I don’t want to talk about them and risk jinxing them… 😉
Finally, I still get asked, “Did anyone at GM reach out to you?” Short answer? Nope. I did see a top GM exec (who I have known for over 25 years) at a memorial service for a prominent automotive journalist in February. I didn’t make eye contact, and I don’t know if they saw me, and I’m frankly not sure what I would have said. The other leaders I’ve known for over two decades? Not a peep.
That being the case, in the spirit of “everything happens for a reason”, it seems just as well that I’m not inside GM at this point given the rampant chaos and inability to plan in the industry (on top of what I’ve heard from the occasional GM employee I’ve run into). And, yes, I think there will always be a tiny sliver of bitterness towards my former employer, but I feel I have largely moved forward and am in a better space, attitude-wise, than I was on November 16, 2024. At the end of the day, it’s their loss, right? As to the future, I’ll quote my favorite Vulcan science officer: “I like to believe there are always possibilities.”
Thanks for listening and stay tuned!