What Life Taught Me About Leading

Four Bars

Brandon Taylor, Senior Vice President of Transportation at JB Hunt Transport, takes us on a deeply personal journey through his formative years and the values that have shaped his life and leadership philosophy.
Growing up as a self-described "military brat," Brandon moved constantly throughout his childhood – from Michigan to Wyoming, England, Oklahoma, Germany, and California. This nomadic upbringing forged in him an unusual combination of introversion and extroversion; he gains energy from quiet time alone yet possesses a remarkable ability to connect with strangers and form meaningful relationships quickly. At the heart of Brandon's story stands his grandmother, who lost both parents to tuberculosis at a young age yet went on to become an educator who taught Sunday school from 1941 until COVID prevented her from leaving home. Her influence instilled in Brandon a lifelong love of reading and learning.
Three core values emerge as the foundation of Brandon's life: integrity, character, and trustworthiness. These principles, drilled into him from childhood, guide his personal and professional decisions even when candid truth-telling might be difficult. Brandon shares how becoming a father at 24 transformed his outlook, shifting his focus from self to family and community. His personal mission statement – "to help people unlock their God-given potential and gift it back to Him" – reflects his belief that our talents are meant not just for personal gain but to serve others.
With refreshing honesty, Brandon discusses a period when life's difficulties led him to step back from mentoring others, even throwing away his books rather than giving them away. Yet it was precisely by returning to his purpose of giving and serving that he found his way through depression – a powerful reminder that living in alignment with our core values is essential for wellbeing. For aspiring leaders, Brandon offers two invaluable pieces of advice: "Influence is a contact sport" and "Compete but don't compare." These insights, along with his emphasis on community building, provide a blueprint for leadership with purpose and integrity.
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Chapters

1. Integrity as a Foundation (00:00:00)

2. Military Brat: Life in Motion (00:04:26)

3. Grandmother's Influence and Family History (00:10:39)

4. Core Values and Life Purpose (00:17:24)

5. Family, Community, and Finding Balance (00:21:38)

6. Career Path and Leadership Journey (00:30:36)

7. Key Advice for Leaders: Influence and Competition (00:35:15)

8. Closing Thoughts and Podcast Information (00:38:20)