Confessions of a Vistage Chair

E3: Why Your Company Can't Scale (And It's Probably You) with Rick Vanasse

Welcome to Confessions of a Vistage Chair, a podcast by Talent Harbor, where we have real, behind-the-scenes conversations with Vistage Chairs. They share honest stories and practical insights on leadership growth, peer advisory groups, and what actually happens in Vistage meetings.
 
Let’s pull back the curtain!
 
In this episode of Confessions of a Vistage Chair, I sit down with Vistage Chair Rick Vanasse to unpack one of the hardest truths in leadership: the biggest obstacle to business growth is often the CEO.
 
Rick shares lessons from decades of working with CEOs and executive teams on organizational design, culture, and leadership development. We talk about why companies hit growth ceilings and why leaders must sometimes let go of roles they love in order to scale. We also dive into the concept of  “Going to the Balcony”, stepping back from day-to-day operations to see patterns, identify root problems, and lead strategically instead of reactively.
If you're a CEO, founder, entrepreneur, or executive leader, this conversation will challenge you.
 
Timestamps
11:12 Leadership and Core Values
21:26 Overcoming Growth Obstacles as a CEO
34:39 Reactive vs. Creative Leadership
39:34 The Hero’s Journey to Self-Awareness
44:07 The Mindset Shift to CEO
52:00 The CEO’s Big Picture
Guest Links
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-vanasse-vistagechair/
Vistage Website: https://app.vistage.com/sites/s/chairs/00380000021W2D6AAK/rick-vanasse
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grounded_toward_growth/

E2: The Leadership Traits Every CEO Needs with COPE Award Winner Beth Adkisson

Welcome to Confessions of a Vistage Chair, a podcast by Talent Harbor, where we have real, behind-the-scenes conversations with Vistage Chairs. They share honest stories and practical insights on leadership growth, peer advisory groups, and what actually happens in Vistage meetings.
 
Let’s pull back the curtain!
In this episode of Confessions of a Vistage Chair, I sit down with Beth Adkisson, a longtime Vistage Chair and recipient of the prestigious COPE Award, the highest honor given to a Vistage Chair.
Beth shares her journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship and ultimately becoming a trusted advisor to CEOs. We talk about what great leaders do differently, from facing reality fast and investing in their people to building trust, giving honest feedback, and creating environments where leaders can grow. We also explore the concept of “care frontation,” how CEOs can trust their intuition, and why peer advisory groups like Vistage help leaders process challenges, see new perspectives, and make better decisions. This conversation is packed with insights on leadership, decision-making, and building organizations that last.
Timestamps
4:20 – From Corporate Leadership to Entrepreneurship
7:05 – The Marketing Lesson Most Businesses Miss
10:10 – Why Brand Story and Relationships Matter in Business
14:00 – The Real Role of a Vistage Chair: Walking Beside CEOs
18:30 – The 5 Traits of Great CEOs and Entrepreneurs
23:10 – “Carefrontation”: How Leaders Give Tough Feedback
28:00 – Trust Your Gut and Face Reality Fast
33:20 – The Beach Ball Exercise: Seeing Different Perspectives
Guest Links
Email: Beth@chartingsuccess.com
Phone: (949)842-9997
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethadkisson/
Cope Award: https://www.facebook.com/Vistage/posts/congratulations-to-our-2025-cope-award-recipient-beth-adkisson-presented-at-chai/1277961144379232/

E1: Lessons from My First Vistage Chair with Ed Robinson

Welcome to Confessions of a Vistage Chair, a podcast by Talent Harbor, where we have real, behind-the-scenes conversations with Vistage Chairs. They share honest stories and practical insights on leadership growth, peer advisory groups, and what actually happens in Vistage meetings.
 
Let’s pull back the curtain!
 
In this episode of Confessions of a Vistage Chair, I sit down with someone who had a major impact on my leadership journey, my first Vistage Chair, Master Chair Ed Robinson.
 
Ed became a Vistage Chair at a young age and has always been wired for leadership. We talk about what separates great leaders, building connections over division, inspiring others to rise, and creating win-win environments. We also dive into navigating today’s noise with curiosity, courage, and clarity, and how to use Vistage to grow, not box yourself in.
 
If you're serious about becoming a stronger, more future-focused leader, this conversation is for you.
Timestamps
 3:43 Discovering Vistage and Its Impact
10:17: Leadership: Unleashing Potential
22:52 Confronting Fear and Distilling Information
32:24 Things that Guide and Ground you
41:55 Overcoming Adversity: Randy Pausch's Influence
49:11 Navigating AI and Technological Change
54:12 Leadership: Operating in Three Horizons
59:52 Advice for Young Chairs: Be Yourself
Guest Links
Email: Edward.Robinson@vistagechair.com
Website: https://capacity-building.com/
Vistage Website: https://app.vistage.com/sites/s/chairs/0038000000slKJeAAM/edward-robinson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edrobinson/
Blog: https://capacity-building.com/ed-robinson-blog/

00 - Trailer

Confessions of a Vistage Chair Podcast coming soon