5 Minutes with Andy

Andy sits down with Ashley Costello, Head of Virtual’s Technology Consortia and Standards Practice, to talk about the Five Disciplines of Healthy Consortia —Virtual’s new framework and advisory program that helps leadership teams evaluate organizational effectiveness, identify improvement opportunities, and build actionable growth plans.

Andy and Ashley cover:

• Why many leaders struggle to clearly assess their organization’s performance— and how the Five Disciplines can help.
• What the framework is and how it works.
• How boards and consortia leaders can use it to evaluate and strengthen their organizations.

From global conferences to high-stakes board meetings, Virtual has supported more than 1200 events across 35 countries — often without anyone knowing they are there. And that’s by design. In this episode, Andy shares what it takes to deliver great events — and how Virtual helps drive success for its clients.

He covers:

• Why events are back — and bigger than ever.
• The three essential elements for event success.
• Virtual’s approach to planning and executing events that exceed expectations.

From a hospital nursery to the hallways of Virtual, Andy explores how every role contributes to something bigger — and why it’s a leader’s job to help people see that connection.

Andy Shares:

• The number one thing that keeps employees engaged — and why leaders must lean into it.
• A quiet moment that helped him see the impact of Virtual’s work in a new light.
• How leaders can help every team member understand the value of their contributions.

In this episode of 5 Minutes With Andy, Virtual, Inc. CEO Andy Freed explains why the best leaders don’t just talk — they make space for others to join the conversation. Drawing on a theme from his upcoming book, Lead Like The Boss, Andy shows how sharing the mic turns passive listening into active participation — whether it’s a one-on-one, a board meeting, or a conference.

Andy covers:

• When to stop talking — and start listening.
• Agenda shifts that change the dynamic — and the outcome.
• How to spark engagement in the first minute — and keep it going.

In this episode of 5 Minutes With Andy, CEO Andy Freed previews a core leadership lesson from his book Lead Like the Boss: The Bruce Springsteen Framework for Elevating Your Leadership—revealing what leaders can learn about communication from Bruce Springsteen’s most important concert instrument.

Andy discusses:

• How the “think, feel, do” process sets the stage for effective communication.
• Why putting yourself in your audience’s shoes is key to making your message resonate.
• Ways to create moments that your audience will remember—and act on.

In this episode of 5 Minutes With Andy, CEO Andy Freed explains why every organization needs a clear central message that people can remember and repeat—like the chorus of a great pop song.

Andy discusses:

• Why talking points fall short.
• How the message triangle helps leaders communicate clearly and consistently from any angle.
• What makes a strong central message—and how you know when you’ve nailed it.

In this episode of 5 Minutes With Andy, CEO Andy Freed shares how a 30-second “thank you” early in his career shaped how he leads — and why small moments often make the biggest impact.

Andy discusses:

• Why the true promise of leadership lies in creating moments that motivate and inspire others.
• How being present and intentional in everyday interactions is at the heart of great leadership.
• Why telling someone they matter can shape how they see themselves — and their work.

In this episode of 5 Minutes With Andy, Virtual, Inc. CEO Andy Freed shares why having fun at work is serious business—and a core part of his leadership strategy for building trust, inspiring creativity, and driving results.

Andy discusses:

• Why fun should be part of your company values and leadership approach.
• How prioritizing fun in the workplace can strengthen teams and spark innovation.
• Practical ways to weave fun into your culture—and create a place people want to be.

In this episode of 5 Minutes with Andy, Virtual, Inc. CEO Andy Freed shares how the best leadership moments often happen behind the scenes — when leaders step back and create space for others to lead.

Andy discusses:

• Why leaders are always “on stage”, even in quiet, everyday moments.
• How the greatest act of leadership is growing more leaders.
• Simple, intentional ways to help others step up and shine.

In this episode of 5 Minutes with Andy, Virtual, Inc. CEO Andy Freed shares one of his most personal leadership lessons yet — how the way we talk about failure, especially to ourselves, shapes the kind of leader we become.

Andy discusses:

• Why the stories we tell ourselves about failure matter more than the failures themselves.
• How reframing failure is essential to growing, communicating, and leading with impact.
• What his own “loser resumé” reveals about perspective, resilience, and long-term success.