Taking the Tough Jobs: Risk, Resilience, and Radical Transparency with Bill Osborne

In today’s episode, I am joined by a fascinating guest, William (Bill) Osborne; a gentleman who has built his career in the industrial sector. He is the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Operations at The Boeing Company, the world’s largest aerospace company. Prior to this role, he was the SVP for Global Manufacturing and Quality at Navistar Corporation. And before that, he was the President and CEO of Federal Signal Corporation, a billion-dollar industrial organization. William first started his career as a technical specialist product engineer for Ford Motor Company. Over the last 19 years, he has moved into many leadership roles, including President and CEO for Ford Australia as well as Ford Canada. Bill also currently holds board positions with Quaker Chemical Company and Rush System for Health. In our conversation today, Bill shares his career background in-depth and his experience going from a from President and CEO of a billion-dollar company to being an SVP at Boeing — a nearly 95-billion dollar company. He offers invaluable advice to young leaders in any industry with regards to failing forward, career strategies to accelerate growth and development, and the dos and don’ts of becoming an exceptional leader. He also shares his thoughts on how we can better manage as leaders through the current COVID-19 crisis as well as his thoughts regarding the current BLM movement and how corporations and individuals can do their part.   Key Takeaways: [:37] About today’s fascinating guest, William (Bill) Osborne. [1:54] Welcoming Bill to the show! [2:00] What drew Bill into the industrial sector and why he has stayed. [3:55] Bill speaks about how he ensures that he and his team stay up to date on what’s new in the industry. [5:30] Bill shares his experience on what it was like to go from President and CEO of a billion-dollar company to being an SVP at Boeing (which is a nearly 95-billion dollar company). He speaks about the day-to-day, how that has changed, and the different challenges. [7:20] How is Bill leading the company during the COVID-19 pandemic? How has his leadership changed due to it and what does he consider to be some of the key ways to lead — especially during a crisis? [9:15] Bill’s vision for how we’re going to come out of this pandemic economically and as a society. [11:20] Bill speaks more about how he is managing the company during this crisis and how a turn-around might look. [13:30] Bill’s advice for young leaders. [14:30] A failure Bill experienced in his career and the big lesson that he learned from it. [16:37] Bill’s thoughts on the importance of maintaining a reputation. [18:44] Has Bill had sponsors throughout his career? How did that impact his career? [20:04] Bill’s career strategy for identifying specific leaders and how it made a massive difference in his growth and development. [21:29] How to open yourself up to working for the right leaders in the industry. [22:20] The do’s and don’ts for young professionals, how to make yourself an indispensable leader, and the three phases of an executive leader. [25:57] Bill shares his thoughts on where we are going through as a society in light of the current Black Lives Matter movement, as well as what he and Boeing are doing as a corporation to support diversity and inclusion. [29:25] Bill shares his thoughts and feelings when non-black individuals approach him to ask what they should or can do to help. [33:41] What do we need to do as black people to keep the forward momentum with the BLM movement? [37:15] Bill shares his belief about how young people are the catalyst for change. [38:07] What role do boards play in the seminal change that we’re seeking in corporate America? [40:05] Bill shares his parting thoughts. [41:25] Thanking Bill for his incredible insights and for joining the podcast.   Mentioned in this Episode: Executive Biography of William (Bill) Osborne William (Bill) Osborne’s LinkedIn   About Fifth Dimensional Leadership & Ginny Clarke Fifth-Dimensional Leadership is a podcast about leadership — knowing yourself, speaking your truth, inspiring love, expanding your consciousness and activating your mastery. As an executive recruiter and career expert currently leading executive recruiting at a Fortune 20 tech company, Ginny Clarke is a passionate and authentic thought leader with a unique and deliberate perspective on work and life. She synthesizes aspects of her life as an African-American single mother who has successfully navigated corporate America for over 30 years. She has inspired, uplifted, and changed the lives of thousands and is intentional about bringing conscious awareness to the people of all ages and stages.   Every other week, a new edition of Fifth-Dimensional Leadership will include fascinating guests, covering a variety of topics: power, personal branding, self-awareness, networking, fear, and career management To find more episodes or learn more, visit: ginnyclarke.com