Rod C. Taylor, Ph.D.
CEO

​Rod C. Taylor, Ph.D., is an award-winning educator, scholar, author, and the founder and CEO of Performance Learning Concepts, a leadership-development firm trusted by global organizations including Deloitte, Nissan North America, Blackstone, and Morningstar. With more than three decades of experience in teaching, leadership training, and public speaking, Rod has taught at Stanford University, Indiana University, and the Honors College at Tennessee State University.

 

Rod’s work focuses on the human side of professional effectiveness—how individuals build credibility, communicate clearly, think creatively, collaborate effectively, and lead through complexity. Drawing on advanced studies in education, communication, literature, psychology, and philosophy, he brings an interdisciplinary perspective to professional growth across areas including strategic communication, innovation and creativity, leadership, and change, helping professionals translate expertise into confident performance in high-stakes environments.

 

Blending insights from the arts, human behavior, and organizational strategy, Rod designs highly experiential workshops and energetic keynotes on communication, design thinking, innovation & creativity, growth mindset, and change leadership. Additionally, he has built an extensive suite of programs under PLC’s “with Purpose” brand, including Communicating with Purpose, Leading with Purpose, and Innovating with Purpose. Examining how perception, influence, and human behavior drive outcomes, these sessions enable professionals to think more strategically, communicate with intention, collaborate effectively across complex organizations, and accelerate their growth.

 

In addition to his work at PLC, Rod has served as a Design Faculty Fellow at the Paris-Est Design School and as an Artist-in-Residence and strategic leadership consultant for the College of Entertainment and Arts at Lipscomb University. A lifelong musician, Rod lives in Nashville, TN, and has performed as a bassist with artists such as Victor Wooten, the Warren Brothers, Jenee Fleenor, Chuck Rainey, Krista Detor, and Cindy Morgan.