Leading with Intention: A Blueprint for Change-Ready Organizations with Bill Canady

Executing with focus, leading through change, and building unstoppable teams with intention and clarity.

What happens when a Navy vet, former sales rep, and self-described “imposter syndrome CEO” becomes one of the most effective growth leaders in private equity? You get Bill Canady—Chairman of OTC Industrial Technologies, CEO of Arrowhead Engineered Products, and author of The 80/20 CEO.

In this candid conversation with Jane, Bill shares the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership philosophy, including why the first 100 days in a new role matter, how to build buy-in across your team, and why under-resourcing your strategy is the fastest route to failure. Whether you’re leading a startup or scaling a mid-market company, this episode’s insights will shift how you think about growth, execution, and how to lead when the stakes are high.

Episode Highlights:

 (7:03) How Bill went from small-town roots to leading billion-dollar companies
 (8:43) What private equity leadership really requires
 (10:45) How Bill defines the CEO’s job—especially in the first 100 days
 (17:41) Why the team—not the CEO—must define the strategy
 (33:22) The trap of under-resourcing great strategies
 (40:25) How to lead organizational change without losing your people
 (40:25) The three things every employee needs to stay engaged
 (40:25) Why leadership is about momentum, not perfection
(40:25) The power of real-time visibility through communication
Bill’s approach reminds us that great leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about setting a clear vision, enrolling others in the journey, and staying agile when the winds shift. If you’re leading through change or stepping into a bigger role, this episode is your blueprint for doing it with clarity and conviction.

Episode Guest:

About Bill Canady, Chairman of OTC Industrial Technologies, CEO of Arrowhead Engineered Products, and author of The 80/20 CEO

Bill Canady has over 30 years of experience as a global business executive in a variety of industries and markets focused on industrial and consumer products and services. He concentrates on aligning with key stakeholders to set a clear and compelling vision that drives growth, controls cost, and increases profitability. A key to his success is developing strong leaders and management teams while establishing deep relationships. His experience spans global public, private, and sponsor-owned companies.

He currently serves as Chairman of OTC Industrial Technologies and CEO of Arrowhead Engineered Products (AEP). Under his leadership, OTC has grown revenues by over 43% and earnings by more than 78%. AEP, headquartered in Blaine, MN, is a leading global supplier of mission-critical aftermarket parts with $1.5 billion in sales across 50+ countries. Bill is also the founder of The 80/20 Institute, which trains leaders to increase asset productivity, improve profitability, and make better decisions across every level of a business. He is a proud veteran of the United States Navy.

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn  |  Check out The 80/20 CEO by Bill Canady