The People Playbook with Jason Taylor
Better People Decisions. Stronger Teams. Scalable Results.
The People Playbook is your weekly guide to building high-performing teams and cultures that scale. Hosted by leadership coach and executive advisor Jason Taylor, this podcast features raw, insightful conversations with CEOs, founders, and culture builders who know what it really takes to lead in today’s world.
From mindset to execution, every episode unpacks the strategies, missteps, and breakthroughs behind exceptional leadership - and how to align your people, purpose, and performance for lasting impact.
Whether you're a CEO scaling fast, a senior leader navigating change, or a builder at heart - this is your playbook for becoming the leader your team needs.
🎯 New episodes weekly
🔥 Real talk. No fluff.
🧠 Actionable insights you can use today
Because growth doesn’t start with strategy - it starts with people.
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The People Playbook with Jason Taylor
Neil Nicholson | CEO, Powerhouse Controls - Building Culture That Scales
In this episode of The People Playbook, host Jason Taylor sits down with Neil Nicholson, CEO of Powerhouse Controls, to talk about leading through trust, building teams that thrive under pressure, and creating a culture that scales with growth. With nearly three decades at Powerhouse and a career that took him from employee #5 to CEO of a global automation leader, Neil shares hard-earned lessons on transparency, succession planning, leadership empathy, and what it really takes to empower people to lead.
Whether you're a CEO, manager, or aspiring leader, this episode is packed with practical insights on how to build teams that run with integrity - even when you're not in the room.
[00:00] Welcome & Introduction
Jason introduces Neil Nicholson, highlighting his 25+ year journey with Powerhouse Controls.
[01:45] What's the one core leadership principle that's guided you throughout your years at Powerhouse?
Neil emphasizes empowerment and the importance of trusting your team.
[02:56] What's something your team has taught you about leadership that you didn’t expect to learn?
Neil discusses how his team pushed him toward greater transparency — and how they handled it.
[04:00] How do you keep your team aligned and motivated during high-pressure times?
Neil talks about being visible, rolling up your sleeves, and leading by example.
[05:43] What do you do to make your people feel proud at work every day?
He shares moments of employee pride and how visibility and ownership drive culture.
[07:17] What do you look for when building your leadership team?
Initiative, work ethic, and intelligence — and why promoting from within matters.
[10:57] How do you handle tough conversations while maintaining trust and positivity?
Approaching with empathy, reading emotions, and why EQ is critical.
[13:25] Why does authenticity matter in leadership?
Neil explains why pretending to care never works — and how to bring your full, flawed self.
[15:02] How does curiosity play into your leadership approach?
Asking questions, challenging assumptions, and creating space for critical thinking.
[16:55] How do you build a long-term culture across multiple generations in a high-tech environment?
Balancing legacy wisdom with innovation, and why collaboration leads to better results.
[19:55] What is the one team value you never compromise on?
Integrity — and why long-term relationships with clients depend on it.
[23:15] What do you want your legacy to be at Powerhouse?
Neil hopes to be remembered for building a platform where people could build careers, not just jobs.
[24:08] Closing Thoughts
Jason reflects on Neil’s leadership legacy and thanks him for sharing his journey.
