The journey from tactical operator to strategic leader requires more than just a promotion - it demands a fundamental shift in thinking. Brandon Taylor, Senior Vice President of Transportation at JB Hunt Transport, returns to share the pivotal moments and hard-won wisdom from his leadership journey.

Brandon's career path took him from selling furniture in Miami to leading transportation strategy at one of America's largest logistics companies. Along the way, a powerful wake-up call from his wife - who told him he was "cheating on her" with his job - forced him to reassess his priorities and ultimately led him to JB Hunt, where authentic relationships and family-first values aligned with his own.

What sets exceptional leaders apart? Brandon reveals that while tactical execution wins battles, strategic vision wins wars - and both are essential. He shares his soccer field analogy for team building: "Everybody's not going to be the center fielder... we need to make sure they understand why I have you playing goalie right now." This approach ensures everyone understands their role within the larger mission.

Perhaps most thought-provoking is Brandon's challenge to conventional wisdom about leadership isolation. "A great leader should never feel lonely," he asserts, encouraging leaders to build genuine connections while remaining coachable, like Tom Brady, who still relied on quarterback coaches while winning Super Bowls.

For aspiring leaders, Brandon's guidance is both simple and profound: "Live your purpose." When leaders align their actions with their values and surround themselves with the right people, profitability naturally follows. Whether you're managing a team or running an organization, this conversation offers practical wisdom on balancing tactical execution with strategic vision while staying true to what matters most.

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More About this Episode

Living Your Purpose: Leadership Lessons from Brandon Taylor’s Journey in Transportation

In an industry defined by constant movement, both literally and figuratively, Brandon Taylor’s story is a masterclass in strategic leadership, relational integrity, and the power of living your purpose. From selling furniture across the country to becoming Senior Vice President of Transportation at JB Hunt, Brandon’s trajectory offers rich insights for anyone striving to lead with impact and authenticity. This article explores his journey, leadership philosophy, and the enduring importance of aligning professional ambitions with personal values.

From Hustle to Purpose: An Unconventional Career Path

Brandon Taylor’s path into transportation leadership wasn’t a straight line - it was a rich tapestry of experiences that began far from the logistics industry. From early roles in lease-to-own furniture sales to working events like the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup, Brandon was no stranger to travel or hard work. But it was a heartbreaking moment - his young daughter not recognizing him due to his constant travel - that made him reevaluate everything.

This turning point led him back to Miami and on a path of deeper reflection. Even as he considered becoming a firefighter, fate and mentorship led him to CH Robinson, a company he’d never heard of but where he would begin carving out a lasting legacy in supply chain management.

Listening to the Heart: The Decision That Changed Everything

In 2009, another life-defining moment arrived - not at work, but at home. Brandon’s wife told him he was “cheating” on her with his job. It was a jarring wake-up call about the toll unchecked ambition can take on personal relationships. That night, he resigned.

This wasn’t a career-ending decision - it was a recalibration. After a two-year non-compete period, Brandon returned to corporate life at JB Hunt in 2011, but this time with a renewed sense of balance and purpose.

Bringing Culture to Corporate: The JB Hunt Chapter

Brandon’s entry into JB Hunt marked a new beginning. Meeting Shelly Simpson (now CEO) and EVP Eric McGee during the interview process, he was struck by the company’s inclusive, welcoming culture. JB Hunt wasn’t looking for someone to merely assimilate - they wanted someone who could contribute their own culture to enrich the organization.

This approach resonated deeply with Brandon. From launching an office in Miami to accepting a VP role in Northwest Arkansas, each step was underscored by JB Hunt’s willingness to support his family and trust his leadership.

Strategic vs. Tactical Thinking: Clarifying the Language of Leadership

One of Brandon’s key insights is the critical distinction between being strategic and being tactical. Too often, leaders claim to be “strategic” when they are, in fact, winning short-term battles - tactical victories that don’t necessarily serve the long-term mission.

Strategic thinking, he explains, is about setting a vision and building structures that can weather volatility. Tactical execution - where the rubber meets the road - ensures that vision becomes reality. The best leaders know how to align both.

“You could have the best strategy in the world,” Brandon says, “but if you can’t tactically execute, you’re not going to win.”

Relational Leadership: Using Relational Authority, Not Just Positional Power

At the core of Brandon’s leadership philosophy is relationship-building. He advocates for relational authority - influence rooted in trust and mutual respect - over mere positional authority. Whether it’s with customers, vendors, or team members, authentic relationships fuel collaboration, loyalty, and performance.

This is especially critical in a company like JB Hunt, which operates across vast business units. Sellers, Brandon notes, must serve as both ambassadors for JB Hunt and advocates for the customer.

To build these strong connections, Brandon emphasizes listening - truly listening - not just waiting for your turn to speak. It’s not enough to be on the same page; you have to be in the same book.

Balancing Work and Life: It’s About Satisfaction, Not Perfection

Brandon prefers the term work-life satisfaction over work-life balance because the latter suggests an unattainable equilibrium. Life, like logistics, is dynamic. Some days are heavier than others. What matters most is support - at home and at work.

Brandon credits his success to an understanding spouse and a company culture that fosters open dialogue. At JB Hunt, he says, the open-door policy is real. Executives like Nick Hobbs actively listen and provide feedback without shutting down ideas.

This support system makes it easier to de-stress and to carry the weight of leadership with clarity and resilience.

Developing Leaders: Managing Up, Down, and Across

Transitioning from managing staff to leading leaders required Brandon to expand his influence in new directions. As a VP, he needed to manage upward - providing clear visibility to senior executives - and collaborate laterally with peers, not just direct reports.

He advises emerging leaders to speak up sooner and more often. Early in his corporate journey, he held back, unsure of how to navigate corporate culture. In hindsight, he realizes that silence can sometimes be a liability. Leaders are entrusted to provide perspective, especially when others may not have ground-level visibility.

Creating High-Performing Teams: Right People, Right Seats

When it comes to building high-growth teams, Brandon keeps it simple: put the right people in the right seats. Drawing from a soccer analogy, he explains that not everyone gets to be the striker. Some need to play goalie - not because they’re less valuable, but because the team can’t win without a solid defense.

Clear communication about roles and long-term goals is key. “Sometimes,” he says, “I need to put you in this position for a while so you can learn what we need to do here. Then I can put others in a role where they're going to be offensive.”

To the Next Generation: Lead, Don’t Just Be Led

Brandon’s message to future leaders is profound and concise: live your purpose. Being a manager is about process. Being a leader is about people, vision, and conviction.

He urges new leaders not to wait for direction on every move. Like Tom Brady still having a quarterback coach, leaders can (and should) receive coaching. But they must take ownership of their mission and lead with clarity.

Living your purpose, he says, leads to profitability - not just in dollars, but in impact, fulfillment, and influence.

Family as the Foundation

As the conversation closed, Brandon returned to what he believes is the foundation of leadership: family. Just as foundational blocks support a building, our relationships - family, friends, and community - support our personal and professional growth.

“A great leader should never feel lonely,” he concludes. “Build your village and lead from that place of connection and strength.”