23 | Create the Winning Link in Your Strategy [with Billy Ray Taylor]

Chain of Learning: Empowering Continuous Improvement Change Leaders

What does “winning” mean to you as a leader? And what is your leadership role in creating a winning strategy and organizational culture?

According to Billy Ray Taylor, CEO and President at LinkedXL and former Goodyear Tire executive, winning is not only about setting a clear strategy and aligning on the goals and metrics, but engaging your team members and defining the actions to get there.

Billy and I recorded this episode back in 2022, just as his book “The Winning Link: A Proven Process to Define, Align, and Execute Strategy at Every Level” was about to be released – and I wanted to bring the conversation here for you to learn from Billy’s wisdom and insights about the humanity of leadership and how to win.

In this conversation you’ll hear stories from Billy’s leadership at Goodyear, highlights from his book, the importance of DEI in building a winning culture, and Billy’s greatest challenge – and greatest learning – as a leader.

Remember, the winning link in your organization is your people, and it’s the connection of links of people together that creates and grows our Chain of Learning.

YOU’LL LEARN:

• How to define and align your strategy and goals to ensure organizational success by focusing on clear standards and processes.
• The importance of not just making metrics visible – but “making people visible” – by acknowledging their contributions is crucial for fostering a culture of psychological safety and engagement.
• The significance of servant leadership in valuing individuals' thoughts and experiences, regardless of their position within the organization.
• The difference between key performance actions (KPAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) and how to leverage them to achieve significant performance improvements.
• Actionable advice on creating common meaning through language and connecting with your team, based on real-life examples and practices.

IMPORTANT LINKS:

• Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/23
• Get Billy’s book “The Winning Link” - here
• Get the book “Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn” – available in paperback, hardbound, audiobook, and ebook - LearningToLeadLeadingToLearn.com
• Work with me: KBJAnderson.com
• Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjanderson
• Follow Billy on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/billyrtaylor
• Download the KATALYST Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst

TIMESTAMPS:

• [00:00] The importance of value and respect in leadership
• [03:07] Helpful practices that have shaped Billy’s leadership approach
• [06:59] The power of embracing who you are as a leader
• [09:38] How to connect an entire organization (“LinkedXL”)
• [11:25] What “winning” really means according to Billy
• [13:54] The link between KPAs and KPIs
• [18:02] The importance of DEI and inclusion
• [23:45] The power of trust within large organizations
• [26:44] Billy’s learnings from his book
• [31:22] Billy’s greatest challenge as a leader

Apply for the May 2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/

Upcoming 'Ask Me Anything' Episode
Submit your questions here: https://chainoflearning.com/ask