With over 30 years of experience in corporate leadership, Linda is also the founder of The Extra Effort (TEE) — a career advisory firm dedicated to helping professionals get unstuck, build executive presence, and change the trajectory of their careers.
Linda explains how she transformed her long-standing passion for mentorship into a focused business that helps professionals build essential but often overlooked career skills — like self-awareness, confidence, communication under pressure, and professional presence.
She discusses her signature offerings, including executive presence coaching, onboarding strategy for the first 90 days in a new role, and targeted support for early- to mid-career professionals.
Linda emphasizes that while hard work is important, it is not enough to get ahead in corporate environments; success also depends on visibility, relationships, and having the “it factor.”
In addition, Linda reflects on lessons from her own career, advocates for others not to “keep their heads down,” but instead to own their worth, be intentional about their presence, and seek support when needed.
LinkedIn: Linda Taliaferro
Instagram: theteewithlinda
Previous Episode: iam354-vice-president-of-a-leading-supplier-helps-people-change-their-career-trajectory
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Transcription:
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Linda Taliaferro Teaser 00:00
I have what I consider my signature offer, and that is establishing executive presence. That's that nuance, that little it factor that a lot of people aren't aware of, and they wonder why they can't get that VP seat or that senior director seat.
And nine times out of ten, it is because of that executive presence, how you handle yourself in critical situations, under stress, how you communicate, and how you appear.
Intro 00:26
Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview?
If so, you've come to the right place. Gresh values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.
Gresham Harkless 00:53
Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO Podcast, and I have a very special guest on the show today, Linda Taliaferro of The Extra Effort. Linda, it's awesome to have you on the show.
Linda Taliaferro 01:02
Hey, Gresham, it's great. It's an honor. Thank you so much for inviting me.
Gresham Harkless 01:07
No problem, the honor is definitely all mine. And what I want to do is just read a little bit more about Linda so you can hear about all the awesome things that she's doing.
And Linda is the Vice President of Global Quality for Meritor Incorporated, which is a leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking, and aftermarket solutions for commercial vehicles and industry markets.
It has more than 9,000 diverse employees in 18 countries in five continents. Linda is also very involved in the community, working on programs that inspires and promotes women and girls to expand their careers in STEM.
She founded TEE, The Extra Effort, a career advisory service-based business helping people get unstuck and strengthen key interpersonal skills in order to change the trajectory of their careers and to get a seat at the table.
Linda, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?
Linda Taliaferro 01:57
I am extremely ready.
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Gresham Harkless 01:59
Awesome. Let's do it. So, to kick everything off, I wanted to hear a little bit more about what I call your CEO story. What led you to start your business?
Linda Taliaferro 02:08
Hey, you know, what led me there, Gresham, was a passion that I've had for years.
So, as I've gone through my career, which spans over 30 years, I've had a great opportunity to mentor a lot of fabulous individuals in their career, either help them get unstuck, is what I do in the team, or just help them make critical decisions at points in their career.
It's been a passion of mine. So, a couple of years ago, and I was kind of prodded along by a friend that I had helped as a mentor to do so.
And that's what got me there. I wanted to have a broader span of contact and connection beyond just the four walls, let's say, of the company that I worked in. So hence, the key, the extra effort was started in May 2017.
Gresham Harkless 02:52
Nice. I definitely appreciate that because I think there's a lot of people that are thinking of ideas or maybe seeing opportunities, but they never ever take the steps in order to do that.
So, I definitely commend you for doing that. And I feel like by doing that, you're also empowering others to do that as well.
Linda Taliaferro 03:07
Oh, yeah, I hope so. And that's what I often share when I have the opportunity to speak is not just about the business and how I got there.
But also, to your point, if there is anyone that has that burning desire that got something, either the great idea or just like I had, that passion to reach out to such a broader audience, then they should really just step out in faith and do that. So, I agree.
Gresham Harkless 03:30
Absolutely. And I think we often forget that we have the ability to do that, and we have the power within us to do that.
So, definitely love that and appreciate that reminder. So, I wanted to hear a little bit more about TEE.
Can you tell us a little bit more about what you're doing, how you're serving the clients you're working with?
Linda Taliaferro 03:47
Yeah, absolutely. So, the TEE and the Extra Effort is Gresham, you just shared is career advisory, where right now what I'm doing a lot of is one-on-one coaching and advising individuals, helping them get on stuff, whatever that seat at the table is.
Some people aspire to certain positions in organizations, or just to make sure that they are considered and used for opportunities to broaden their scope and to provide some depth to their career.
So, I have several services that I offer, some of which center around maximizing an opportunity that you may have just entered in your first 90 days.
Others, where we just really do, that I call lean in and get somewhere where you totally get in touch with what has gotten you into this tough position, address those, and then move you forward.
Remove all stallers, derailers so that you can move forward. And then I have a, what I consider my signature offer, and that is establishing executive presence.
That's that nuance, that little it factor that a lot of people aren't aware of, and they wonder why they can't get that. VP seat or that senior director seat.
And nine times out of 10, it is because of that executive presence. How you handle yourself in critical situations, under stress, how you communicate, and how you appear.
So, those are the three areas that I offer. And also, now I'm starting to broaden into speaking engagements, working with corporations.
I actually have an opportunity here with the university to help young people coming out of school, because these are things that aren't taught in school, right?
And they enter into corporate America, and they stumble their first three to five years.
So, I'm beginning to offer some programs within the university as well. So that's what the T looks like, and those things that I offer.
Predominantly, women tend to come my way. I've also serviced a couple of guys. So, it's been a great experience in helping people move the needle.
Gresham Harkless 05:39
Yeah, absolutely. It sounds extremely rewarding just because you get the opportunity to help people to reach, maybe even beyond, sometimes what they can see.
Because, you know, I know a lot of times when you get in that frustrated mode, it's like nothing will work.
But you sometimes, I believe, and let me know if I'm right on this, you're so close to it that often you need somebody with that experience, one, but two, those fresh eyes to kind of give you a different perspective.
Linda Taliaferro 06:03
You hit it dead on, Gresham, because sometimes we're so close to it. You know that phrase, we tend to have a tendency to can't take the force for the treats, and that can be the case, right?
And it just may take somebody like myself with the experience of knowing how to get there and be able to take, as you just put it so nicely, that fresh eyes approach and turn that mirror around and make you aware of some of where the opportunities are that you've missed because you are so close to it.
So, that's exactly what happens. And it's been, I tell you, it's been extremely rewarding for me to see how these young women, these young men, people that early in their career.
And people in their mid part of their careers really do the work that I give them, and then be able to see tangible change in their career.
I mean, when you do this, I mean, that raises confidence that allows people to understand that, yes, I knew I was worth it, and I felt the value.
Now, I actually see it, and it's coming to fruition in my career. And when you make those moves, that changes everything, not just in that person's life, but in their family structure as well.
I mean, it has that domino effect, right? So, it's extremely, extremely rewarding.
Gresham Harkless 07:15
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. And I love that kind of focus as well, too, on those. I don't know.
I forgot the phrase you use, but it's not the soft skills, those things that you don't really get taught, and they don't really get taught in school.
You really don't know them unless somebody has that experience or that perspective and kind of tell you about that.
So that's also great, because I think a lot of times people will get frustrated because they aren't aware, and maybe haven't cultivated those skills. But it's great to hear that you do that.
Linda Taliaferro 07:41
No, that's absolutely it, Gresham, because a lot of times we are so focused on being good at the task. You know, that work product is important, right?
And you've got to be good at what you do, but helping people understand that that's the price of entry, actually.
And so, knowing what that nuance is, that it factor, what separates you from the other person that's also producing that good work product.
So that you can get that a great opportunity, that special assignment, that maybe ex-pat assignment over the water brought your skills in depth, or that next step on the rung of the corporate ladder that you've been, that seat you've been looking for.
So that's exactly what I help people understand, target, and then work.
Gresham Harkless 08:24
Nice. So, I definitely appreciate that. So now I wanted to ask you, I guess, for what I would call your it factor or your, I like to call your secret sauce.
What do you feel kind of distinguishes you and sets you apart?
Linda Taliaferro 08:34
What sets me apart is that these are methodologies in full expression that I have lived and done.
I mean, this is not something that I read in the book. I didn't go get a special certification and take a bunch of exams and have the letters behind my name.
Nothing wrong with that. Don't get me wrong, right? Nothing wrong with that at all.
But these are proven methodologies, applicable methodologies that I know in my 30 years of work, and the numerous people that I've helped have worked.
And I believe that when you have that, you know, and I live it every day, too.
I mean, I'm in a corporate environment every day. I live, see, and have to deal with a lot of the things that my clients are dealing with.
So, that's what separates us, is that these are not something that it was just I read in the book and I said, oh, let's go try the theoretical approach.
No, these are applicable. These are things that do work. So that's the difference.
And I also, too, that's one reason why I was very clear about how I named the company, because I have had executive coaching where I've been given things to read and have had conversations.
But also, what's different in my service that I provide is I give you applicable work to do, and you go back into that environment based on what we've talked about, and you apply it.
And then you come back, and we massage your work to what fits your scenario, that company culture you're in your personality, all the things you bring, it's not a cookie-cutter approach, right?
So, they can't see if you really want to be successful. So that's what sets me apart from a lot of the other very successful, very good coaches and advisors.
But I have that, I love how you put it, that little secret sauce, that little extra edge. That's the difference for me in what I offer.
Gresham Harkless 10:24
Yeah, I definitely love that and appreciate that because life is not cookie-cutter. Often, people's careers are not cookie-cutter.
So, the fact that you don't have that kind of cookie-cutter approach it makes perfect sense.
Because a lot of times when you're trying to do what somebody else is doing it and it doesn't work, you get frustrated, but it's just because you're not, quote-unquote, running your own race.
So, yeah, I appreciate that perspective. And I wanted to switch gears a little bit and ask you what I call a CEO hack.
And this might be an Apple book or a habit that you have, but it's something that makes you more effective and efficient.
Linda Taliaferro 10:55
Well, in my role as a whole, and this is including my nine-to-five, and also in my business.
I don't know if it's a hack, but it's something that people have heard that I still believe still know that they don't truly latch onto and do.
And that is relationship. I'm talking about truly getting, allowing yourself to be known, and getting to know others.
In my business with the team, our first two or three sessions, there's some deep dive that happens.
I really get to know and connect with my clients at a deep level, to understand where some of the self-confidence challenges are, where the self-awareness issues are.
Gresham Harkless 11:40
Yeah, no, that makes perfect sense. But I think it's funny because especially in like the business world, you always hear how important networking and relationships are and building those relationships.
But sometimes when you're in your the corporate world or you're having a certain position, you're like, I'm just going to do my work and that's all I'm going to do.
But in very much the same way where people decide who they want to do business.
So, if they also, a lot of times decide who they want to hire, who they want to promote, who they don't want to promote based off of that.
And now I want to ask you for what I call a CEO nugget. And this is a word of wisdom or a piece of advice, or if you can happen to a time machine, what would you tell your younger business self?
Linda Taliaferro 12:16
Oh, what I would tell my younger business self and the advice I would give some people right now, is do not keep your head down and just focus on working hard.
Working hard is not enough. And I wish there was somebody that could have pulled Linda Taliaferro, or back then, Linda Brown, back when she graduated in 1984 and went to work at GM back then.
Because that's all I tell you, freshmen, that's what I did for the earlier part of my career, a good maybe eight, 10 years of it, is head down working hard.
And I did have that attitude that I didn't come to work to be like. I came to work to do the job.
So, if I were to say that to anyone, do not do that. That will stall your career growth. And I know for a fact it stalled mine.
Once that light bulb came on, and I had somebody whisper that in my ear, luckily, I had some people around me who which gave me some advice that they gave others on the golf course.
You hear that, right? A lot of things are shared on the golf course or in certain environments.
So, I luckily had someone whisper that in my ear. And once I really understood what that meant, it changed the trajectory of my career. Completely changed.
Gresham Harkless 13:36
Nice. I appreciate that. And I love that nugget just because, you know, a lot of times, like you mentioned, no matter what seat at the table you're trying to get, you're always just working hard.
But missing out on that it factor, as you so eloquently put, is a big idea and big thing that we need to understand on how we need to get ahead wherever and however we're trying to get ahead.
So now I wanted to ask you my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO.
And we're hoping to have different quote-unquote CEOs on this show. So, Linda, what does being a CEO mean to you?
Linda Taliaferro 14:06
For me, it means the availability to share my passion and to see that passion come to life.
Being the CEO of the extra effort, that's what motivates me, Gresham, when I'm up at 2 in the morning or I just came from a flight.
I'm on my nine-to-five, and I've got a client schedule coming up. That passion, I'm fueled, I'm motivated.
I'm in the verge of broadening my team, and so, I'm sharing that as well as I interview people, what drives you, what fuels your passion, what motivates you.
And for me as a CEO, being able to bring these new team members on to the extra effort and fuel their passions and their dreams through what we do. So that's what motivates me.
That's why I love the seat that I've created for myself, and that I sit in is to be able to really do what I love and make meaningful impact driven by my passion, passionate work. So that's what it means.
Gresham Harkless 15:13
Nice. I love that definition and that perspective. So, Linda, thank you so much for your time.
And what I want to do is pass you the mic, so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional you can let our readers and listeners know. And then, of course, how best they can get a hold of you.
Linda Taliaferro 15:24
I would love if any of you out there listening are stuck in your careers as I've just talked about, and you're trying to get unstuck, know you have the worth and the value.
You've just missed how to what we shared earlier, how to obtain that secret sauce to get to the next level, or to become one of those persons' names on the list to consider, feel free to reach out to me.
My website, www.teellc.com, and then also you can follow me on Instagram and on Facebook, at Extra Effort, and find me on LinkedIn as well.
We can connect. I share nuggets there. And I would be excited and honored to help you in any way.
Gresham Harkless 16:10
Well, thank you so much again, Linda. I truly appreciate your time again. We'll have those links in the show notes, and I hope you have a phenomenal rest of the day.
Linda Taliaferro 16:17
Thank you. You too, Gresham. Take care.
Outro 16:19
Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by CB Nation and Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co. I AM CEO is not just a phrase; it's a community.
Check out the latest and greatest apps, books, and habits to level up your business at CEOhacks.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless Jr. Thank you for listening.
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