"Forget everything you knew about what you did in a traditional business" - Dave Kehr of Schaeffler

In this episode of Land and Lead, Dave Kehr joins Dr. Josh Elmore to discuss his transition into leading Schaeffler’s humanoid robotics, a fast-moving internal startup focused on one of the company’s emerging growth areas. After more than two decades at Schaeffler, Dave has held engineering, manufacturing, and global business leadership roles across the U.S. and Germany. In this conversation, he reflects on what it means to move from established business units, with familiar rhythms and structures, into a new space where the path is still being created.

Dave shares how the humanoid robotics team has grown from zero to a global organization, why speed and direct access to executive decision-makers matter, and how Schaeffler is working to combine startup urgency with the technical depth and manufacturing strength of a large global company. He also discusses the discomfort of stepping into unfamiliar territory, the importance of listening, finding allies, and relying on a strong team.

For leaders entering high-stakes roles, Dave emphasizes self-belief, avoiding the pressure to be perfect, and seeking outside perspective. His story offers a practical look at leading through ambiguity, building momentum, and learning while the business is still taking shape.

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