I think I have found an incredible mentor and coach in my Chair. Erin [McGrath] and I have worked together for, gosh, it’s probably been 10 years now, and she’s been the most consistent mentor that I’ve had in my career… she knows me probably better than any other mentor that I’ve had and has been able to help me continually strive for that next level in my leadership.
I feel like we had already seen success in the business, but it just felt so chaotic. My Chair [Jonathan Jones] said all the time, ‘Why are you doing that? Why is someone else not doing that?’ Having that mentality has completely changed the way that I look at the business. It’s really provided clarity to me and an assurance that decisions we’re making are sound.
I have been lucky enough to have probably two of the best Chairs in your Vistage organization. Rick Faber and Jesse DePriest have far exceeded my expectations. I would’ve probably just stayed working in the business and not on the business and that could have stagnated my growth.
He [Jason Straughan] has been a coach not only from the business perspective, but also a personal perspective, challenging and questioning me and being that mirror that I need.
The impact of Vistage on my business [is] personified 100% by our fearless leader, John Howman. He’s not only my Chair, but he’s my strategic planning facilitator, my coach, and he’s my dear friend. Thank you, Johnny.
I was a founding member of my group and my Chair, George [Stepancich], has been terrific. I think one of the things that has kept me thinking month after month has been the speakers. George has done a great job picking the speakers…so that’s been a great journey in terms of exposure to different thought processes and keeping my mind open to learning.
Jay [McDonald] has added so much value from his networking, connecting you with the people you have questions for next. He’s a lifelong learner as well. That’s something I’ve gotten from Vistage is to take that time.
I’d love to do a shout-out to Mark Murphy…one thing that has stood out, at least with the issue processing, is Mark Murphy’s a master at it…he’s perfected it. And I feel very lucky to be in a group and to have a Chair that knows it so well.
I met Linda [Remsberg], our Chair, and…she is what sold me on this. Linda knows her business… she’d ask a question that was just straight to the issue, delivered with kindness and care, but she just cuts right through it.
I reached out to my Chair [Stacy Harmelink] and said, ‘Do you think I’m doing the right thing?’ And so she was able to email me or text me back… I said, ‘Okay, I know I made the right decision. I just needed a sounding board.’…So Stacy’s been amazing. I’ve really, really liked when she’s challenged me.
Shout out to my Chair, Nancy [Babine Kucinski], who has done a really good job of building an incredibly diverse group, smaller companies to companies over a hundred million in revenue, people from all industries, from all ethnic backgrounds and walks of life. It’s just so rewarding to be in this group and to get to know them on such a deep level over time.
Rick Faber, who was my Chair for the last 10 years… was the gamechanger for me. He’s pushed me consistently for the last 10 years to become a better leader, to become not only a better leader for work, but a better person, a better human being than I was before…The business has grown dramatically since I met Rick. So he’s been a huge reason for that success.
Whether it was meditation, the introduction of trailing averages into our dashboard, new ways of thinking about compensation, culture, and community, Mark [Taylor] has been my lodestar throughout my journey, and I want to acknowledge that.
My Vistage Chair [Linda Remsberg] at times is my advocate. At times she is my friend. At times she’s my coach, my cheerleader. She’s my critic. She kicks my butt when I need it. She shows up and meets me in the role that I need, not always the role that I want.
I’ve had the pleasure of having two Vistage Chairs over time. For over 10 years it was Richard Carr, an unbelievable and transformational guy that has played such a huge role in my life and my leadership journey. I would not be where I am and Kellogg would not be where it is without Richard Carr. And the last couple of years Charles Marino has really done an incredible job stepping in and picking up that mantle, being a confidant and helping me grow.
I need to give a shout-out for my Master Chair, John Trakselis. John’s been magnificent. He cares, he challenges, but he coaches with love.
The most powerful insight that I gained from Vistage is the importance of my Vistage Chair. Erin [McGrath] was the most important part of my experience with Vistage. She challenged me to jump in wholeheartedly to gain the most from my Vistage experience.