Confessions of a Vistage Chair

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, Dick Singer gets honest about how most companies are hiring fast and firing slow when it should be the exact opposite, why behavior beats skill every single time in the hiring process, and what it actually means to be a Vistage Chair who puts members first. We also get into business acquisitions, due diligence, and what a six-year drought in Lake Tahoe taught him about making decisions with your gut instead of your head.
 
This is 25 years of wisdom in one conversation. Don't miss it!
Timestamps
 07:09 - Recruiting Challenges and Member Retention
16:24 - Tailoring Vistage Groups
25:57 - The Importance of Due Diligence and People
35:14 - Hiring for Behavior, Not Just Skill
44:26 - Strategic Hiring: Always Interviewing
Guest Links
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dicksinger/
Vistage Website: https://app.vistage.com/sites/s/chairs/0038000000slK2zAAE/dick-singer
 
#HiringStrategy #OnboardingStrategy #DueDiligence #IssueProcessing

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!
 
This week, I sat down with Vistage Chair Georganne Goldblum for one of the most honest conversations I've had about what it actually takes to build a business worth owning, and eventually worth selling.
 
Georganne's path is unlike anyone else I've talked to. She started in the boardrooms of Fortune 500 giant General Foods, moved into entrepreneurship when she and her husband acquired an office furniture company, and eventually found her way to Vistage. What she's built since then is remarkable. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what Vistage Chairs actually do inside the room, how Georganne helps CEOs stop chasing revenue and start building real enterprise value, and why the businesses that sell for the most aren't always the ones growing the fastest.
 
This episode is packed, and there's sure to be something in here for everyone.
Timestamps
04:14 - Entrepreneurial Ventures and Challenges
13:06 - Vistage Philosophy and CEO support
19:46 - Building Business Value and Future Planning
30:10 - Leveraging AI for Business and Operations
46:12 - Organic Growth vs. VC Funding
51:01 - Vistage: Profitable Growth and Support
 
Guest Links
Website: https://coach4execs.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sflexecutivecoach/
Vistage Website: https://vistageflorida.com/vistage-chair/georganne-goldblum/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggoldblum/

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 Mark Taylor to unpack one of the most powerful leadership journeys I’ve heard.
 
Mark fought to go to college, launched a business that went bankrupt within six months, rebuilt from scratch, and eventually built one of Michigan’s fastest-growing companies. Along the way, he learned hard lessons about culture, financial literacy, and burnout. Joining Vistage became a turning point, helping him move from working in his business to working on it, developing as a CEO, and ultimately discovering his deeper purpose. Today, Mark is a Master Vistage Chair in New York City and one of only 13 Chairs globally with more than 100 members.
 
If you’re a CEO, founder, Vistage member, or aspiring Chair, this conversation is about growth, purpose, and what it really takes to build something that lasts.
 
Timestamps
05:53 First Business Failure & Lessons
11:19 Transformational Courses & Second Business
16:29 Vistage: From Micromanager to a True CEO
26:28 Overcoming Financial Challenges
31:37 Selling the Business & Reverse Commute
37:39 The Trauma of Losing Control to Becoming a Vistage Chair
57:22 Finding Purpose in Vistage
1:00:05 Advice for Vistage Chairs
 
Guest Links
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktaylorceocoachnyc/
Website: https://marktaylor.nyc/
Vistage: https://www.vistage.com/research-center/author/mark-taylor/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtaylortec/

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/

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/

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/

Confessions of a Vistage Chair Podcast coming soon