In a podcast episode, Derric Gilling and James Higginbotham discuss effective API strategies that align with business goals, focusing on Higginbotham's "Align-Define-Design-Refine" (ADDR) methodology. This framework helps organizations navigate from initial business alignment to iterative API design and deployment, ensuring APIs deliver business value. Key themes include the importance of aligning APIs with business outcomes, the evolving role of API product managers, and embedding governance without hindering innovation. The ADDR process emphasizes understanding business needs, defining API operations, designing with appropriate technologies, and refining based on feedback to maintain consistency and scalability. The discussion also highlights the role of federated API coaches in large organizations, who marry domain knowledge with API design expertise to facilitate effective API development across different teams. The episode offers valuable insights for those at any stage of their API journey, emphasizing the blend of technical execution with strategic business impact.