Driving Disruption: Tim Taylor Of America Succeeds On The Innovative Approaches They Are Taking To Disrupt Their Industries
An Interview With Cynthia Corsetti
Innovative Culture: Last, but not least, our culture embodies the principle that our work is driven by a shared mission, not individual interests. This culture empowers smart, passionate, and committed individuals who are dedicated to the greater purpose. By instilling a focus on the mission, we ensure that our efforts remain aligned with our disruptive approaches. This culture of mission-driven collaboration encourages innovative thinking, paving the way for meaningful change.
In an age where industries evolve at lightning speed, there exists a special breed of C-suite executives who are not just navigating the changes, but driving them. These are the pioneers who think outside the box, championing novel strategies that shatter the status quo and set new industry standards. Their approach fosters innovation, spurs growth, and leads to disruptive change that redefines their sectors. In this interview series, we are talking to disruptive C-suite executives to share their experiences, insights, and the secrets behind the innovative approaches they are taking to disrupt their industries. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Tim Taylor.
Tim Taylor is the Co-Founder and President of America Succeeds, bringing a unique blend of executive, nonprofit, and public policy experience to the organization. Prior to launching America Succeeds, he served as the founding President of Colorado Succeeds. Tim began his career on Capitol Hill as a Senior Legislative Assistant to Congressman Saxby Chambliss (GA). After relocating to Colorado in 1998, he served as an independent political consultant, Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs for the Colorado Health Care Association, and founder of Open Fairways — a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk and underprivileged children through the game of golf and its core values of honor, etiquette, and respect.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about disruption, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
My journey started on Capitol Hill during a time when policymaking centered around compromise rather than being solely focused on being right. This experience ingrained in me a solutions-driven approach, emphasizing the importance of finding common ground. After numerous years working on the Hill, my transition to the nonprofit sector marked a pivotal point in my career journey that would bring me to where I am today. Working closely with kids, I got my first taste of entrepreneurship. What struck me was that many of these young people were part of a system that had let them down. This realization ignited a passion within me to create a larger-scale impact and to reach more children who deserved better opportunities.
When doing my work for Colorado Succeeds, I had a funny and serendipitous encounter with my America Succeeds co-founder, who presented me with a giant foam golf tournament check for the work I was doing to reform education. After chatting and understanding more about where our synergies were on this topic, we partnered to effect positive change in education. Who knew that a giant, foam check would mark a pivotal milestone for us?
In starting this work, the words of Desmond Tutu resonated deeply with me: “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” What is causing many of our students to fall in the river? This question underpins the work we’re doing and my unwavering belief that education has the power to alter life trajectories — and that is the foundation America Succeeds is built on.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
Much like any successful entrepreneurial venture, our organization exists to solve a real-world problem, and that’s what fuels our passion — but what truly sets us apart is the convergence of personal passion and proof that our unique approach works.
Drawing inspiration from shows like Shark Tank and my membership in the Entrepreneurs Organization, our organization stands out for its ability to address a critical issue head-on. America Succeeds was born out of the recognition that there’s a problem within the education system that needs solving, and we’re committed to ensuring that the system produces outcomes that align with the best interests of the students. This alignment goes beyond theoretical ideals — it encompasses a tangible connection between employers, business leaders, and educational institutions.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
1. Problem Solving: Being a problem solver has been at the core of my approach. As an entrepreneur, encountering new issues is inevitable, but I’ve always embraced them with the mindset that just because I haven’t done something only means that I haven’t done it yet. The secret sauce behind America Succeeds lies in our steadfast dedication to a bipartisan and nonpartisan approach. In an effort to problem solve, we’ve chosen to transcend political divides and focus instead on what truly matters: the future of our students. By viewing education policy through the lens of our five core equity values — student-centeredness, return on investment (ROI), accountability, transparency, and choice/innovation — we’ve navigated the complex landscape with a clear sense of purpose that both sides of the aisle can get behind.
2. Pragmatism: This trait has been pointed out by others, and I largely attribute it to my German upbringing — particularly my mother’s influence. In the business and education worlds — which are markedly different — recognizing the practical realities, understanding our invested stakeholders, and navigating process challenges are critical. But they also take a long time. My pragmatic nature has led me to embrace the concept of “gentle pressure relentlessly applied.” I constantly tell my team — and myself — that we can’t let the pursuit of perfection hinder progress being good enough.
3. Optimism: I’ve also been told that I’m optimistic to a fault, and I can thank my father for this one. Seeing the world with a glass half full mindset, even in challenging situations, has allowed me to approach adversity with resilience and a positive outlook. This optimism became particularly evident during a pivotal phase when Colorado Succeeds championed policy changes to improve 3rd-grade literacy rates. The early advocacy win highlighted the uniqueness of our approach and set the stage for a wider impact. This optimism radiated across the business world, leading to the creation of coalitions across the country under the banner of America Succeeds. The concept of foundational literacy resonated strongly, and it was inspiring to witness the business community’s enthusiastic support for it. What seemed insurmountable was partially overcome by my optimism, with a sprinkle of problem solving and pragmatism mixed in.
Leadership often entails making difficult decisions or hard choices between two apparently good paths. Can you share a story with us about a hard decision or choice you had to make as a leader? I’m curious to understand how these challenges have shaped your leadership.
Amid the relentless demands of our work and the unforeseen challenges posed by the pandemic, a pivotal decision came to the forefront — either continue with our existing education system-wide change initiatives, or pivot our focus entirely towards addressing the urgent issues the pandemic had exposed. Our decision was whether to place all our eggs in one basket — specifically, the basket of reimagining education through the lens of durable skills and equity. While the foundation for this work was laid in 2017 with the Age of Agility initiative, the pandemic served as a catalyst for our durable skills work to come to fruition.
So, we went all in on what we thought was right.
This moment was a true test of leadership. It was a demonstration of my belief in the importance of aligning our efforts with the most pressing needs at the time and being willing to pivot when the situation warrants it. The experience reinforced the value of strategic thinking, adaptability, and an unyielding commitment to the ideas that drive our mission — which funny enough, are all durable skills. Ultimately, this challenging decision and the subsequent pivot have not only shaped my leadership style but have also reinforced the necessity of being proactive and agile.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition so that all of us are on the same page. In the context of a business, what exactly is “Disruption”?
When I think about what true disruption looks like, I think about prioritizing innovation to get the results that you’re looking for rather than committing to do something the way you’ve done in the past, simplify because it’s easier.
How do you perceive the role of ‘disruption’ within your industry, and how have you personally embraced it? Is it a necessity, a strategy, or something else entirely in your view?
It’s evident that when you compare various industries across the globe, the education system closely resembles its form from a century ago. The classroom setup, curriculum, and teaching methodologies have lagged behind the rapid pace of change in the world, presenting a significant challenge with troubling consequences. Year after year, a growing number of students, especially those from BIPOC backgrounds and rural areas, are being left behind. As the world evolves, the education system’s failure to keep pace has led to a mismatch between the skills students are equipped with and the demands of the modern workforce. This is where I know America Succeeds has a role in driving disruption. It’s not just a strategy — it’s an absolute necessity for the future of our children and workforce.
At America Succeeds, we’ve come to understand that businesses possess a unique constituency that surpasses the tenure of any elected official. Businesses have a lasting presence within their communities, and their vested interest in education stems from familial and communal ties. This realization has significantly shaped our strategy, aligning our efforts with what’s best for learners. There is an answer that benefits both students and the business community — but that requires significant disruption and willingness to change.
What lessons have you learned from challenging conventional wisdom, and how have those lessons shaped your leadership style?
Something you’ll start to recognize about me is that I love quotes. So, here comes another one. Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” This sentiment reflects my belief in the power of collective action.
Embracing the role of a change-maker demands challenging norms. As a leader, I’ve learned the invaluable lesson of humility and the power of a learning posture. I’m committed to listening and learning from those around me, knowing that I — and sometimes we –don’t have all the answers. America Succeeds excels in creating the space necessary to engage with the right people who can help us find solutions. I have built a team around me that I trust to make good decisions and that is our key to collective success.
Disruptive ideas often meet resistance. Could you describe a time when you faced significant pushback for a disruptive idea? How did you navigate the opposition, and what advice would you give to others in a similar situation?
America Succeeds has faced significant pushback on nearly every initiative we’ve ever taken on. The challenge lies in attempting to transform a system that is resistant to change — a system that often serves the interests of adults more than it does the needs of young learners. This misalignment often comes with a power struggle, exposing that students lack the power and voice to shape their own educational experiences. But this misalignment is more than just lip service from America Succeeds — student engagement rates in 2022 plummeted to 45% from 65% in just three years. This 20% drop was indicative of a crucial issue — engagement is a prerequisite for effective learning and, despite the resources and technology available, the education system is failing to maintain student engagement. This poses a crucial question America Succeeds hopes to answer with action: Why can’t we create a better educational experience for our students?
Navigating such resistance necessitates careful consideration and strategic approaches, which we’ve always had to take on board with our efforts at America Succeeds. One piece of advice I’d offer to those facing similar challenges is to approach the discussion with empathy and understanding. Softening the language to foster kindness towards educators and stakeholders is important, as change is best achieved when everyone feels heard and valued. The existing system is designed to yield the same outcomes it has for decades. Elements like the Carnegie Unit — a way to quantify and compare the amount of instructional time students spend on a particular subject — hinder innovation and need to be challenged and reconsidered, but that requires collective cultural change and acknowledgement of what’s not working.
Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. What are your “Five Innovative Approaches We Are Using To Disrupt Our Industry”?
1. Innovative Purpose: At the core of our disruption lies a redefined purpose of education. We believe that education’s purpose has evolved to encompass three critical aspects — developing a healthy sense of self (agency), preparing for active citizenship in American democracy (community), and equipping students for success in the modern workforce (employment). By challenging the conventional notion of education, we’re fostering a holistic approach that empowers students to navigate life effectively. For instance, we’ve introduced programs that emphasize not just academic learning, but also personal development, civic engagement, and career readiness.
2. Innovative Vision: Our vision, established since America Succeeds’ inception in 2014, is to build public education systems that prepare every student for success in a competitive global economy while contributing to their local communities. This vision necessitates engagement from business leaders as education champions. We firmly believe that businesses have the responsibility, opportunity, and capacity to drive student achievement, establish an educated workforce pipeline, and foster economic mobility. Through partnerships with various industries early and often, we’re demonstrating how businesses can actively contribute to education reform and student success.
3. Innovative Market Position: One of our distinctive strengths lies in our strategic positioning between business and K-12 education. Our portfolio effectively bridges and connects these two distinct constituencies. By engaging in advocacy efforts that drive cultural change and policy initiatives aimed at aligning the education system with our vision, we’re able to influence significant shifts in the industry. This position allows us to collaborate with key stakeholders, facilitating meaningful change.
4. Northstar Guided by Purpose, Vision, and Position: With a firm grounding in our innovative purpose, vision, and market position, we’ve established a clear Northstar that guides our decisions. This clarity provides the foundation for a flexible and entrepreneurial mindset. We constantly reevaluate and reimagine our strategies, embracing a bias for action and a willingness to fail fast. For instance, when a new challenge arises, we quickly assess its alignment with our purpose, vision, and market position, enabling us to make informed decisions and adapt swiftly.
5. Innovative Culture: Last, but not least, our culture embodies the principle that our work is driven by a shared mission, not individual interests. This culture empowers smart, passionate, and committed individuals who are dedicated to the greater purpose. By instilling a focus on the mission, we ensure that our efforts remain aligned with our disruptive approaches. This culture of mission-driven collaboration encourages innovative thinking, paving the way for meaningful change.
Looking back at your career, in what ways has being disruptive defined or redefined your path? What surprises have you encountered along the way?
Disruption has been the defining force shaping my career, forcing me to consistently challenge the status quo to do what I set out to do in the first place — change student lives. Surprises along the way have revealed the unexpected value of engaging business leaders in education, bridging demand and supply dynamics.
However, there are also tough surprises. Despite a decade-long pursuit of innovation, the depth of work needed far surpasses my initial expectations. Nevertheless, my optimism prevails that we can create positive change.
Beyond professional accomplishments, how has embracing disruption affected you on a personal level?
Embracing disruption has not only shaped my professional accomplishments but also profoundly impacted me on a personal level. This entrepreneurial, disruptive work sparked my involvement in the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), which has been instrumental in my growth as a leader, allowing me to become more open about acknowledging my limitations both professionally and personally. My wife attests that my involvement in EO has made me a better person.
In your role as a C-suite leader, driving innovation and embracing disruption, what thoughts or concerns keep you awake at night? How do these reflections guide your decisions and leadership?
What keeps me awake at night? Mostly the pace of change. While I may not excel at celebrating small wins when progress is gradual, this sentiment is a reflection of my genuine passion for our work. Striving for solutions and attaining small victories often isn’t enough — it’s both a blessing and a curse. The profound passion for this work perpetually fuels the desire to do more, but it also creates a sense of urgency, considering the significant consequences of not finding solutions. Couple this fear with the same worries any leader faces — ensuring the well-being of my team, assessing and seeking ways to mitigate risk, and guaranteeing sustainability. I do my best with the information I have in front of me.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I’m doing it. America Succeeds is this movement. As a leader, I firmly believe that our work isn’t centered around me, but rather the individuals we aim to serve. The privilege of engaging in this work is something I’m profoundly grateful for. The inception of America Succeeds was driven by this very purpose — to make a meaningful difference to as many people as we possibly can. I’m excited to see where our work continues to take us.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About the Interviewer: Cynthia Corsetti is an esteemed executive coach with over two decades in corporate leadership and 11 years in executive coaching. Author of the upcoming book, “Dark Drivers,” she guides high-performing professionals and Fortune 500 firms to recognize and manage underlying influences affecting their leadership. Beyond individual coaching, Cynthia offers a 6-month executive transition program and partners with organizations to nurture the next wave of leadership excellence.
