In a perfect world, factors like age and gender would not eclipse the ability of any candidate for a job. However, some milestones simply need to be acknowledged for what they are, and the media seems to have focused on the fact that General Motors has selected a woman named Mary Barra to be its new CEO, effective this coming January.
The decision has become noted not just because she is GM's first female leader, but, as USA Today points out, the first woman ever to take the helm of a big auto brand like this. While she has decades of experience and enters the role with the approval of her predecessor, the demographic effects of this development will inevitably be recognized.
There will almost surely be those who balk at this selection for superficial reasons, but because Barra has lots of inside tenure to bank on and is, to use departing CEO William Akerson's words, a "car gal," the decision seems to make sense and, at least within the company, has not been a major source of contention. Executive experience can speak for itself.
"With an amazing portfolio of cars and trucks and the strongest financial performance in our recent history, this is an exciting time at today's GM," Barra said in a statement from the company.
Noticing talented individuals and making sure that they are fairly appointed within your company is an important priority, and evaluating any executive experience candidates may have is an important part of determining whether a particular candidate is ready to assume CEO responsibilities.
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