Simon Taylor: Harnessing High Performance in Leadership: LIVE from UNLEASH 2025
We proudly share #thePOZcast interviews from Unleash 2025 in Las Vegas with guest host Rhona Pierce!
Simon A. Taylor is the Senior Director of Talent and Organizational Effectiveness at Gap Inc. and author of the best-selling book, Build Smart: A Blueprint for Building a High-Performing Organization. He has advised diplomats and senior executives at world-renowned organizations, including The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., and Amgen. He led HR for the tech startup Graphiq, where he helped guide the organization prior to its acquisition by Amazon. As a nine-time national champion rower, Simon draws upon principles of elite competition to shape his approach to building high-performing organizations. His insights have been featured in Forbes, CNBC, Business Insider, and Fast Company.
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Build-Smart-Blueprint-High-Performing-Organization/dp/B0DK5RVQ43/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0
Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonataylor1/
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Summary
In this episode, Simon Taylor, Senior Director of Talent and Organizational Effectiveness at GAP, shares insights on building high-performing teams through the lens of his experiences in competitive rowing. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision, a strong mindset, and the balance between performance and human connection. Simon discusses the necessity of clarity in leadership and how fundamental elements like mission, vision, and values drive organizational success. He also shares personal anecdotes and practical advice for leaders looking to enhance their team's performance.
Takeaways
- Having a clear vision is crucial for success.
- Mindset is key to achieving high performance.
- Clarity in roles and goals drives team effectiveness.
- Engagement and morale are linked to performance.
- Leadership sets the tone for organizational culture.
- High performance doesn't exclude the human side of work.
- Winning can unite and motivate teams.
- Fundamentals like mission and values are essential.
- Clarity is a form of kindness to your team.
- Sleep is vital for effective leadership.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to High Performance Leadership
02:58 The Connection Between Sports and Organizational Success
06:08 Mindset: The Key to High Performance
09:04 Balancing Performance and Human Connection
12:12 The Importance of Clarity in Leadership
15:01 Building a High Performing Organization
17:46 Rapid Fire Insights and Conclusion
