In this episode of Time Billionaires, Rebecca sits down with Ryan Yockey, founder of Growth Code and repeat VP of Engineering, who helped scale multiple companies past $1 billion. Ryan has over 125,000 LinkedIn followers and a unique approach to building an audience, income, and impact while being a present father to three kids.

Ryan discusses his approach to developing routines and the root cause framework that transformed his career, explaining why most professionals get stuck optimizing the wrong metrics instead of asking deeper questions about what they're really trying to solve. He breaks down his "12 questions that changed my career," including game-changers like "Is this role helping me grow or just keeping me busy?" and "What am I tolerating right now that I shouldn't be?"

The conversation explores how Ryan applies first-principles thinking to business strategy, using examples from The Farmer's Dog, where the real goal isn't customer acquisition, it's making dogs healthier. This shift from vanity metrics to core mission creates both better outcomes and sustainable growth.

Ryan also opens up about his personal framework for being present with his family while maintaining high performance at work. He shares his routine that includes workouts, journaling, and reflection time, explaining how intentional scheduling allows him to be fully present during school drop-offs and family time without work stress looming overhead.

Timestamps

1. Guest Introduction: Ryan Yockey's Background and Growth Code – 00:38
2. Why Careers Break From Wrong Questions, Not Lack of Effort – 01:17
3. The Root Cause Framework and Getting Close to Problems – 01:33
4. The 12 Career-Changing Questions Ryan Uses – 02:57
5. "Is This Role Helping Me Grow or Just Keeping Me Busy?" – 04:19
6. Don't Sit on the Bench: Moving From Busywork to Impact – 05:21
7. Problem Statements vs. Downstream Experiments in Business – 06:05
8. The Real Goal: Making Dogs Healthier vs. Revenue Metrics – 08:02
9. How Ryan Prioritizes Family Time Through Intentional Routine – 10:42

Connect with Ryan Yockey

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-yockey/

Ryan’s Newsletter: https://growthcodes.substack.com/

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For more insights on turning wasted minutes into your greatest asset, connect with Rebecca and follow the podcast on LinkedIn!

Rebecca's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccashaddix/

Podcast Page

• (00:00:00) - Growth Code
• (00:01:11) - 12 Questions That Changed My Career
• (00:07:37) - Are You Prioritizing the Right Things?
• (00:10:39) - How to Prioritize Your Life