Known worldwide as an expert in strategy and operational excellence, Billy Ray Taylor is the CEO and president of LinkedXL, chairman of the board of AME, and the author of The Winning Link. Before founding LinkedXL, Billy served as a global operations leader at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, where he led major manufacturing turnarounds and helped drive significant performance improvements and profits. On this episode of Quality Time with MoreSteam, you will learn why Billy Ray Taylor is also one of the most engaging and entertaining speakers in the world of continuous improvement.

Billy and host Dan Swartwout talk about what it actually takes to lead a transformation. Most leaders earn the technical right to change. They have the title, the tools, and the training. But according to Billy, the cultural right is what actually moves people. And you don't get the cultural right to change from a PowerPoint presentation. You have to earn it.

Billy also makes a distinction that resonated with Dan (and will resonate with you, too). Everyone talks about KPIs. Billy Ray's company also focuses on KPAs, which stands for Key Performance Actions. The difference between KPIs and KPAs is the difference between knowing that you failed and knowing why you failed.

And then there is the Fayetteville story. People told Dan he had to ask Billy about it. Listen and you will understand why.

Billy's mother is also referenced several times throughout this episode. That is not an accident. Some of the best leadership advice in this episode did not come from a boardroom. It came from Billy's mom.

In this episode, you will hear about:

0:51 - Introducing Billy Ray Taylor

1:39 - The value of people

3:17 - The technical right to change and the cultural right to change

5:09 - You can't manage a secret

6:46 - Celebrating the red

10:29 - Be hard on the process

13:17 - Dealing with a top performer

17:25 - Nick Saban and leadership

19:59 - Ownership, leadership, and psychological safety

25:24 - Key Performance Indicators and Key Performance Actions

29:56 - LinkedXL

34:27 - The Fayetteville Story

38:53 - Success and humble leadership

46:04 - How Billy Ray Taylor builds a team

48:04 - Making people feel like participants in change

51:24 - Making people feel valued

53:12 - Make people visible and they'll make you valuable

Additional Resources:

Billy Ray Taylor on LinkedIn

LinkedXL

The Winning Link on Amazon

MoreSteam's YouTube Channel

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Quality Time With MoreSteam on LinkedIn

MoreSteam's Website

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Dan Swartwout on LinkedIn

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