Steven Taylor on How Leaders Can Show They Care - Chief Influencer - Episode # 049
Steven Taylor is the President and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation, an organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the lives of nearly 60 million Americans with arthritis. They align advocacy and science with patient priorities, drive progress through awareness, education, and research, and empower individuals with arthritis to live fuller lives.
Steven delves into his unique approach, characterized by his unwavering commitment to cultivating a supportive community, both internally and externally, while discussing their utilization of social media as a valuable tool for amplifying their mission. At the core of Taylor's leadership is a profound empathy, drawn from his personal journey, which drives his pursuit of impactful transformation.
Stay tuned to gain valuable insights into empathetic leadership, the significance of building inclusive communities, and the lasting effects of genuine care and recognition. Steven emphasizes the importance of enjoying life, saying yes to more, and saying no to less, highlighting the need for mutual inspiration and collaboration. This encapsulates the core of impactful leadership, illustrating how a supportive environment can lead to organizational success, whether enhancing quality of life or advocating for a cure.
Takeaways:
- Leaders should prioritize genuine, open communication with their team and community. Personal stories and experiences inspire and connect people on a deeper level.
- Publicly recognizing the work of volunteers, staff, and colleagues fosters a culture of appreciation and motivates everyone to continue their efforts.
- Understanding and acknowledging the challenges others face, including chronic diseases or personal losses, make leaders more approachable and relatable.
- Creating opportunities for engagement, such as virtual events or water cooler conversations, helps build a supportive community, especially in remote work environments.
- Being active and visible on platforms like LinkedIn strengthens personal branding for leaders and shines a spotlight on their organization’s mission and achievements.
- Whether adopting new technologies or embracing virtual worlds for team engagement, leaders must remain flexible and open to change to keep their organizations forward-thinking.
- Leaders can achieve greater impact by seeking consensus and fostering collaboration across various stakeholders within and outside their organization.
Quote of the Show:
- “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” - Steven Taylor
Links:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-taylor-a18b9b2
- Arthritis Foundation (Website): https://www.arthritis.org
Shout Outs:
- The Sjögren’s Foundation: https://sjogrens.org
- Brené Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenebrown
- Sabrina Sexton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrinasexton
- Sarah Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-miller-4553b29
- Shannon Marang Cox on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-marang-cox
- The California Coast Classic Bike Tour: https://www.arthritis.org/events/bike-event
- Lauren Clanton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-clanton-312a8a18
- The National Health Council: https://nationalhealthcouncil.org
- The National Institutes of Health: https://www.nih.gov
- Cass Wheeler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cass-wheeler-9704688
- Nancy Brown on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancybrownaha
- The American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org
- The American Diabetes Association: https://diabetes.org
- Brian Saber - Fundraising for Introverts: Harnessing Our Powers for What Matters: https://a.co/d/bFW26Q1
Creators and Guests
Host
Anthony Shop
Anthony Shop believes in the power of people-centered branding and marketing to create a bright future. He chairs the National Digital Roundtable, the premier convener of digital innovators, leaders and policy shapers. Anthony also is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver, a digital services firm that helps companies and non-profits establish winning strategies with social media, websites, creative, and advertising. An enthusiastic presenter and teacher, he has led executive-level training for Amazon, PepsiCo, NASA, The British Embassy and the Bipartisan Policy Center. He has been recognized as an “OUTstanding LGBT Role Model” by The Financial Times, “40 Under 40” by The Washington Business Journal, and Business Leader of the Year by the DC Chamber of Commerce. A former newspaper reporter, Anthony was the first new media professional elected to the National Press Club’s Board of Governors. He currently serves on the boards of Leadership Greater Washington and LearnServe International. He earned his MBA from The George Washington University School of Business, where he teaches as an adjunct lecturer.
Producer
Robert Krueger
Robert is an Executive Director for The Communications Board, an organization with the mission of providing high-quality professional development for every communicator in every location. He is also the Global Lead for Partnership Communications at Gensler, the world’s largest architecture and design firm. Prior to his current role, he performed executive and CEO communications for Gensler, and was the senior director of public relations and social media at the Urban Land Institute. He obtained an MA in Communications and an MA in History from George Mason University. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition, Robert has taught communications at universities including George Mason University, West Virginia University, and the University of Florida. Robert currently serves as Immediate-Past President for the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) -- the nonprofit’s largest chapter.