Join Vistage Master Chair Tom Cuthbert in this episode of the ChairLife podcast. Tom reveals how ideal member traits drive high-performing Vistage groups, sharing his five-trait framework to guide member selection. He also explains the value of mid- and end-of-year updates in fostering alignment and engagement. With insights from 13 years as a Master Chair, this episode equips Vistage Chairs with strategies to build thriving groups and maintain focus, ensuring members achieve more than they imagined possible.

Show Notes

Introduction: Tom introduces the episode, focusing on ideal members as the key to high-performing groups and the role of updates in group alignment.

The Importance of Ideal Members: Tom emphasizes that ideal members are critical to group success, attracting high performers and reducing recruiting needs.

Five Traits of Ideal Members (GLOAT): Tom shares his GLOAT framework (Give, Listen, Obstacles, Accountability, Thankfulness) for selecting members.

Applying Traits in Member Selection: Details how Tom uses GLOAT in referrals and interviews to ensure group excellence.

Sustaining High-Performing Groups: Explains how ideal members and behaviors create a self-reinforcing loop of success.

Tom’s Tips & Tricks: Mid- and End-of-Year Updates: Tom discusses how updates strengthen trust, accountability, and engagement.

Conclusion: A call to select ideal members and use updates to elevate Vistage groups.

Tom’s Tips & Tricks: Mid- and End-of-Year Updates

Tom outlines his practice of sending mid-year (June) and end-of-year (December) updates to keep groups focused and engaged.

Purpose: Updates build trust, reinforce goals, and boost accountability and engagement.

Content: Feature an uplifting note, member achievements (e.g., awards, exits), group metrics (e.g., $1 billion in issues processed), key dates, and group-specific details.

Awards: Include group awards, member of the year, ambassador of the year (for referrals), and the Remy Award (for high performance).

Impact: Align groups, share recognition, and reinforce Vistage values.

Action: Implement updates and seek member feedback to strengthen your practice.

Resources

Find more tools and insights to enhance your Vistage Chair practice:

www.tomcuthbert.com/scoring

www.tomcuthbert.com/highperforming

www.chairlifepodcast.com

https://www.amazon.com/Give-Take-Helping-Others-Success/dp/0143124986

https://vistage-worldwide.wistia.com/medias/hichxzun9z

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YoQd6UGAwKrDrw8dAqTQWQ0yoY-o9mGRChSao8LIA-0/edit?usp=sharing

Join Vistage Master Chair Tom Cuthbert in this episode of the ChairLife podcast. Tom addresses overconfidence as a silent threat in the C-suite, offering strategies to identify and challenge it in yourself and your CEOs. Drawing on examples like Kodak’s downfall, he emphasizes the role of Vistage peer groups in fostering humility and better decisions. In the "Tom’s Tips & Tricks" segment, Tom highlights sleep as an underrated superpower, sharing practical habits to optimize rest for leadership effectiveness. This episode equips Vistage Chairs with tools to strengthen their practice and guide members toward sustainable success.

Show Notes

Introduction: Tom introduces the episode, focusing on overconfidence as a leadership pitfall and sleep as a critical asset.

Understanding Overconfidence: Tom defines overconfidence as a cognitive bias, quoting Daniel Kahneman to underscore its risks.

Sources and Dangers of Overconfidence: Explores origins like past successes and consequences like poor decisions, illustrated by Kodak’s failure.

Challenging Overconfidence as a Chair: Five strategies for Chairs to confront overconfidence through questions, observation, and peer groups.

Applying the Lessons: Actionable steps to foster self-awareness and discuss overconfidence openly in Vistage groups.

Tom’s Tips & Tricks: Sleep, the Underrated Superpower: Tom advocates for prioritizing sleep to enhance leadership performance.

Conclusion: A call to challenge overconfidence and prioritize sleep for a stronger Vistage practice.

Tom’s Tips & Tricks: Sleep, the Underrated Superpower

Tom emphasizes sleep’s role in leadership, citing Arianna Huffington on its ability to refocus perspective.

Why Sleep Matters: Boosts cognitive function, emotional regulation, and physical health for better leadership.

Challenges for CEOs: CEOs average 25% less sleep due to poor time management or overconfidence in needing less.

Tom’s Sleep Routine: Ensures eight hours on work nights with a consistent schedule, dark room, and physical book reading.

Tools and Apps: Uses Apple Watch with AutoSleep ($5 app) to track deep sleep (2–3 hours) and AutoWake for gentle wake-ups.

Habits for Success: Charges devices outside the bedroom, eliminates lights, uses white noise, and preps clothes.

Resources

www.tomcuthbert.com/sleep

www.chairlifepodcast.com

https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

https://purple.com/

https://autosleepapp.tantsissa.com/

https://sleep.me/

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1azsyJsea6tiJmCLB6gwAPJ3DmDLr6_vF7DHLx6MeiI4/edit?usp=sharing

Join Vistage Master Chair Tom Cuthbert in this episode of the ChairLife podcast. Tom introduces lenses as guiding principles to keep leaders focused on their goals, offering a practical framework to make better decisions and stay on track. He also shares a system for managing daily inputs to reduce mental clutter and enhance productivity. Drawing on real-world examples and personal strategies, this episode equips Vistage Chairs with tools to strengthen their practice and guide members toward achieving more than they imagined possible.

Show Notes

Introduction: Tom outlines the episode’s focus on lenses as guiding principles and a system for organizing tasks to support a successful Vistage practice.

Lenses as Guiding Principles: Tom explains how lenses act as guardrails to maintain focus, using Warren Buffett’s tree-planting metaphor.

Why Lenses Matter: Three reasons lenses are critical—staying on track, considering perspectives, and improving decisions.

Examples and Application of Lenses: A Children’s Shelter case study and personal lens examples show how to apply and test guiding principles.

Tom’s Tips & Tricks: Putting Things Where and When They Go: Tom shares his mantra for managing inputs, inspired by Stephen Covey, to stay focused.

Conclusion: A call to adopt lenses and a task management system to enhance leadership and member outcomes.

Tom’s Tips & Tricks: Putting Things Where and When They Go

Tom explains his mantra, “Put things where and when they go,” a system to manage mental clutter and prioritize tasks effectively.

Mental Clutter Challenge: Constant inputs like emails and notifications reduce creativity and presence.

Where Things Go: Capture inputs in a Bullet Journal (weekly priorities), email inbox (via BrainToss), or delegate non-essential tasks.

When Things Go: Act on tasks immediately, delegate, or schedule to the future using tools like Spark or FollowUpThen.com.

Supporting Resources: Draws from Atomic Habits, Getting Things Done, Essentialism, and Indistractable.

Weekly Review: Spend 15 minutes every Sunday reviewing the Bullet Journal and calendar to prepare for the week.

Resources

www.tomcuthbert.com/goals

www.tomcuthbert.com/bulletjournal

www.chairlifepodcast.com

https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

https://gettingthingsdone.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382

https://www.nirandfar.com/indistractable/

https://braintoss.com/

https://www.followupthen.com/

https://sparkmailapp.com/

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_oIosnwMYhZV3CDahOJFZG4Dxtuq0mcRNmddbRs06Pw/edit?usp=sharing

Join Vistage Master Chair Tom Cuthbert in this episode of the ChairLife podcast. Tom shares strategies for building a thriving referral culture within Vistage groups, drawing inspiration from Adam Grant’s Give and Take to emphasize helping others succeed. He outlines ten high-performing behaviors to foster referrals, strengthening group dynamics and member growth. In the "Tom’s Tips & Tricks" segment, Tom reflects from the Cuthbert Bridge in Arkansas, underscoring the necessity of rest for sustained leadership effectiveness. This episode equips Vistage Chairs with practical tools to enhance their practice through referrals and personal recharge, ensuring they lead with impact and intention.

Show Notes

Introduction: Tom introduces the episode, focusing on referrals as a cornerstone of Vistage success and the importance of rest.

The Power of Referrals in Vistage: Inspired by Give and Take, Tom highlights how referrals drive mutual success in Vistage groups.

Ten High-Performing Referral Behaviors: Tom lists ten actionable ways to build a referral-focused culture, from planting seeds to celebrating wins.

Implementing Referral Strategies: Suggestions for immediate action and a preview of a referral scale-up session on April 30, 2025.

Tom’s Tips & Tricks: The Necessity of Rest: Tom shares a personal reflection on rest’s role in leadership, recorded from the Cuthbert Bridge.

Conclusion: A call to adopt referral behaviors and prioritize rest for a stronger Vistage practice, with an invite to the April 30 session.

Tom’s Tips & Tricks: The Necessity of Rest

From the Cuthbert Bridge in Arkansas, Tom honors his late father and explains why rest is non-negotiable for Chairs.

Personal Connection: Memories of family time on the lake ground Tom and highlight rest’s value.

Clearer Thinking: Breaks spark clarity and big ideas, untangling complex challenges.

Energy Boost: Rest sharpens focus, enhancing presence for members.

Resilience: Recovery builds grit to navigate life’s ups and downs.

Family Time: Connecting with loved ones fosters better leadership and humanity.

Resources

www.tomcuthbert.com

www.chairlifepodcast.com

https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

https://adamgrant.net/book/give-and-take/

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11cPMrPBUE9nuVU76YYXsnasVpSe-B3R4RgMpZ91pFhA/edit?usp=sharing

Join Vistage Master Chair Tom Cuthbert in this episode of the ChairLife podcast. Tom explores how to build a successful Vistage Chair practice by treating it like a baseball farm system, developing raw talent into top-tier CEOs. Using the inspiring story of Mike Piazza, he outlines a structured approach with emerging leader, advancing leader, key, and CEO groups, sharing practical benefits for Chairs and member companies. In the "Tom’s Tips & Tricks" segment, Tom reveals why reading the Wall Street Journal daily for 40 years has been his secret weapon for staying sharp and relevant as a coach. This episode equips Vistage Chairs with strategies to nurture talent and enhance their practice through informed leadership.

Show Notes

Introduction: Tom introduces the episode, connecting a baseball analogy to building a Vistage practice and highlighting the Wall Street Journal’s value.

The Farm System Analogy: From Baseball to Vistage: Tom uses Mike Piazza’s rise from a late draft pick to Hall of Famer to illustrate talent development in Vistage.

Building a Vistage Farm System: Tom details his group structure—emerging leader, advancing leader, key, and CEO—showing how each level fosters growth.

Benefits of a Farm System Approach: Eight reasons why a farm system strengthens a Vistage practice, from talent scouting to retention.

Impact on Your Chair Practice: Tom explains how working with all leader levels improves his coaching and member loyalty.

Tom’s Tips & Tricks: Why the Wall Street Journal is a Must-Read: Tom shares how the Wall Street Journal keeps him connected to members’ industries and challenges.

Conclusion: A call to develop talent like a farm system and leverage resources like the Wall Street Journal for success.

Tom’s Tips & Tricks: Why the Wall Street Journal is a Must-Read

Tom recounts how skipping a college degree led him to rely on the Wall Street Journal daily for 40 years, making it a cornerstone of his Chair practice.

Overcoming Obstacles: Mentors recommended it to bridge his lack of formal education, sparking a lifelong habit.

Relevance to CEOs: Read by 70% of C-suite executives, it aligns Chairs with members’ business realities.

Practical Use: Tom reads it backwards, tying articles to his 40 CEOs’ industries (e.g., retail, tech, tariffs).

Leadership Insights: Offers C-suite inserts and trends like AI and hiring for strategic coaching.

Habit Stacking: He reads the paper copy only while exercising, enhancing both mind and body.

Resources

www.tomcuthbert.com

www.chairlifepodcast.com

https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

https://www.wsj.com/

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13HZX7p2AXQmlO7mlJmCqHdm7yn7iacuV4fTMTTQgKjc/edit?usp=sharing

Join Vistage Master Chair Tom Cuthbert in this episode of the ChairLife podcast. Tom offers actionable strategies for building a successful Vistage Chair practice by mastering time management. He shares his proven approach to structuring daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly schedules, emphasizing the importance of guarding time to balance mission-driven work with personal well-being. From setting boundaries to prioritizing high-impact tasks, he provides a blueprint for Chairs to lead with intention and impact. In the "Tom’s Tips & Tricks" segment, Tom challenges the value of lunch meetings, advocating for more focused alternatives to optimize productivity. Whether you’re a Vistage Chair, CEO, or coach, this episode equips you with tools to streamline your practice and serve your members effectively.

Show Notes

Introduction: Tom welcomes listeners to ChairLife, outlining the episode’s focus on scheduling and its role in a balanced, impactful Vistage practice.

Scheduling Success: Guarding Your Time: Inspired by Peter Drucker’s wisdom, Tom explains why he blocks non-work time first to manage himself effectively.

Daily and Weekly Rhythms: Tom details his one-to-one and group meeting days, highlighting how consistency creates predictability for him and his members.

Monthly and Yearly Planning: Learn how Tom plans months and years by prioritizing non-work periods, ensuring long-term clarity and flexibility.

Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing: Tom discusses how boundaries and a prioritized schedule, managed with his chief of staff, keep his focus on what matters most.

Tom’s Tips & Tricks: Rethinking Lunch Meetings: Tom critiques lunch meetings and offers alternatives for better productivity and focus.

Conclusion: A call to action for Chairs to block time, build rhythms, and ditch lunch meetings to enhance their practice and member experience.

Tom’s Tips & Tricks: Rethinking Lunch Meetings

Tom dives into why lunch meetings hinder productivity and offers practical alternatives:

Time Cost: Lunches take 60–90 minutes versus 45-minute breakfasts or 30-minute coffee meetings; a 20-minute call saves even more time.

Distractions: Noise and interruptions disrupt focus, especially on confidential topics critical to Vistage work.

Privacy and Expense: Close tables compromise trust, and lunches cost $30–$50 compared to $5–$10 for coffee.

Energy Impact: Heavy meals drain afternoon energy, while morning meetings (25% more productive, per Harvard Business School) keep you sharp.

Alternative: Host in the office with ordered-in food for privacy, focus, and efficiency—a “fortress of focus” for meaningful conversations.

Resources

Explore these resources for additional insights and tools to support your Vistage Chair practice:

www.tomcuthbert.com

www.chairlifepodcast.com

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Sgmyhjq7WDAKtP3ZhU-xycUrLWt64uV_aNnl21sm38/edit?usp=sharing

In Episode 9 of the ChairLife Podcast, Vistage Master Chair Tom Cuthbert explores two transformative strategies for building a successful Vistage Chair practice: implementing high-performing behaviors and leveraging the power of routine to boost productivity. Drawing from his 13 years of experience as a CEO, coach, and Vistage Chair, Tom shares how a set of 12 High-Performing Behaviors, inspired by David Friedman’s Culture by Design, elevated his groups’ performance and outcomes. He explains why these behaviors set the tone for excellence, align members with clear expectations, and foster accountability—turning mediocre groups into high-performing teams. Tom also dives into the practical steps he took to roll out this initiative, including a video series and ongoing reinforcement, and highlights the benefits: increased trust, engagement, and the ability to attract top-tier members.

In the second half, Tom shifts to productivity, revealing how routines help him avoid decision fatigue and stay focused for his members and family. From his structured morning schedule to weekly habits like inbox zero and daily naps, he offers actionable insights to optimize your day. Whether you’re a Vistage Chair or a leader seeking impact, this episode provides tools to engineer a thriving group culture and reclaim your time for what matters most.

Show Notes

Introduction: Tom introduces the episode’s focus on high-performing behaviors and productivity, tying them to a successful Vistage Chair practice.

The Power of High-Performing Behaviors: Tom reflects on a standout group that inspired him to adopt 12 High-Performing Behaviors, guided by David Friedman’s work, and shares how they’ve been a game-changer.

Why They Matter: Three reasons—excellence, alignment, and accountability—make these behaviors essential for Vistage groups.

Implementation: Tom details his rollout process, from defining behaviors to creating a video series, and the resulting trust, engagement, and member quality.

Key Takeaways: Behaviors trump vague values; start small to build a high-performing culture.

Tom’s Tips and Tricks: The Power of Routine for Productivity

Morning Routine: Wake at 5:50 a.m. after prepping the night before (gym bag, schedule). Coffee’s ready automatically, followed by ten minutes of reflection, breakfast and lunch prep, and inbox zero by 6:20 (delegate, snooze, or act on emails). Gym by 6:45, office by 8:30, home by 5:30 with phone off for family time.

Weekly Habits: Email checked only three times daily, constant water intake, daily voicemail updates (see Episode 2), no phone during one-on-ones, a daily nap (Episode 8), Wall Street Journal while exercising, and tracking food intake.

Benefits: Enhanced focus, reduced stress, better time management, and less decision fatigue to save energy for high-stakes work.

Actionable Advice: Start small—try a no-phone window, a five-minute stretch, or delaying coffee until a key task is done.

Resources

High-Performing Behaviors and Video Series: tomcuthbert.com/highperforming

Productivity Routines and Hacks: tomcuthbert.com/productivity

David Friedman’s Culture by Design: culturewise.com

Share the Podcast: chairlifepodcast.com

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1raTjcv3QNva56hutX7XZMFLIv847Z8JQ9olJ0xlO-2I/edit?usp=sharing

Hosted by Vistage Master Chair Tom Cuthbert, this episode of the ChairLife Podcast delves into strategies for building a successful Vistage Chair practice. Tom introduces the "From Here to There" coaching framework, using a vivid analogy of driving through the Colorado Rockies to illustrate the journey from past experiences ("From"), to the present moment ("Here"), to a future vision ("There"). The episode emphasizes the critical word "To"—the actionable steps that connect where you are to where you want to be. Tom outlines ten practical steps to guide both Chairs and their members along this path, drawing from his extensive experience as a CEO, coach, and leader.

Whether you’re refining your coaching approach or seeking inspiration, this episode provides actionable insights and a curated reading list to support your journey. Tune in to learn how to lead with impact and live with intention.

Show Notes

The "From Here to There" Coaching Framework

Using a Rockies road trip analogy, Tom explains "From" (the past), "Here" (the present), "There" (the future), and "To" (the steps to get there), connecting it to prior episodes (2, 4, 6).

Ten Steps to Move From Here to There

1. Reflect on "From"

2. Diagnose "Here"

3. Define "There"

4. Build the Map

5. Surround Yourself with Accountability

6. Foster an Environment of Accountability

7. Align "To" with Core Values

8. Empower Decisions with Lenses

9. Listen and Adapt

10. Celebrate Along the Way

Tom’s Tips and Tricks: Top 10 Books of the Last Decade

10. The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout

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Explores the 4% of people with sociopathic tendencies, offering insights into human behavior that enhance leadership awareness.

9. The Go-Getter by Peter Kyne

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A 100-year-old tale of tenacity, perfect for inspiring young professionals to adopt an "it shall be done" mindset.

8. Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni

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Transforms meetings into efficient tools, with practical takeaways to improve group dynamics.

7. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

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A poetic journey of self-discovery, rich with quotes like, "When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it."

6. Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute

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A parable on spotting self-deception, building accountability, and strengthening team cohesion.

5. Getting Things Done by David Allen

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A productivity classic with nuggets like, "Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them," reducing stress for busy leaders.

4. Essentialism by Greg McKeown

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Cuts through distractions to focus on what matters, with the reminder, "If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will."

3. Atomic Habits by James Clear

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A framework for mastering tough conversations, critical for leadership survival and relationship-building.

1. Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

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Negotiation tactics from a former hostage negotiator, teaching discovery over battle—applicable in business and life.

Resources

www.tomcuthbert.com/fromheretothere

www.tomcuthbert.com/corevalues

www.chairlifepodcast.com

www.tomcuthbert.com/books

www.tomcuthbert.com

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-T-0Sel_-40SodzQFwN76f69KioytQM4EjV4oL6RSO8/edit?usp=sharing

In Episode 7 of ChairLife, Vistage Master Chair Tom Cuthbert shares actionable strategies for building a thriving Vistage Chair practice by selecting the right members and overcoming common recruitment challenges. Inspired by Coach John Wooden’s advice to surround yourself with smart, argumentative people, Tom explores the art of curating a high-performing Vistage group. The episode is divided into two key segments: a playbook for identifying ideal members and a guide to tackling ghosting in the recruitment process.

Tom begins by outlining the seven costly consequences of having non-ideal members—erosion of trust, wasted time, missed growth opportunities, cultural misalignment, lost opportunity cost, morale drain, and poor return on investment. He then introduces his G.L.O.A.T. criteria (Give, Listen, Obstacles, Accountability, Thankfulness) for selecting members who elevate the group. Through a detailed selection process, Tom emphasizes seven areas to evaluate candidates, including growth mindset, accountability, and integrity.

In the second half, Tom addresses the frustration of ghosting—when prospective members stop responding—and offers seven practical techniques to re-engage or move on. From owning the process to leveraging multi-channel follow-ups, he provides a roadmap to maintain control and efficiency. The episode wraps up with a powerful tip in "Tom’s Tips and Tricks" and a preview of Episode 8, where Tom will define leadership and introduce his "From Here to There" coaching framework.

This episode is a must-listen for Vistage Chairs looking to refine their member selection process and master the art of follow-up in a competitive landscape.

Show Notes

Introduction: Tom reflects on Coach John Wooden’s wisdom and sets the stage for finding the right people to sit at your Vistage table.

The Cost of Non-Ideal Members: Seven pitfalls of poor member selection, including trust erosion and morale drain, underscore the stakes of choosing wisely.

Defining the Ideal Member: Tom shares his G.L.O.A.T. acronym—five traits (Give, Listen, Obstacles, Accountability, Thankfulness) that define high-performing members.

The Selection Process: A deep dive into seven areas Tom evaluates in interviews, from growth mindset to time commitment, to ensure a strong fit.

Slaying the Ghosting Game: Seven techniques to combat ghosting, including setting expectations and knowing when to walk away.

Next Episode Preview: Episode 8 will explore leadership and Tom’s "From Here to There" coaching framework.

Tom’s Tips and Tricks: The Killer Email Tagline

Tom unveils a proven strategy from Chris Voss’s Never Split the Difference to break through ghosting. Use this simple email approach to prompt a response:

**Subject:** Have you given up on Vistage?

[Candidate’s First Name],

Have you given up on Vistage?

After our call and meeting—where we dug into those challenges like [briefly mention one specific issue, e.g., “cash flow bottlenecks” or “team alignment gaps”] that could be costing your business big—I haven’t heard back. I get it, things get busy. Just wanted to check in.

When we started our conversation, we agreed to be authentic and open. I’m happy to answer any questions and we have reached the decision point.

Let me know where you want to go from here.

Best,

[Your Full Name]

[Your Phone Number]

Resources

Give and Take by Adam Grant - https://adamgrant.net/book/give-and-take/

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss - https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805 Tom’s High-Performing Behaviors – Available at tomcuthbert.com/highperforming.

Email Protocol – tomcuthbert.com/email.

www.chairlifepodcast.com

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-T-0Sel_-40SodzQFwN76f69KioytQM4EjV4oL6RSO8/edit?usp=sharing

In Episode 6 of ChairLife, Vistage Master Chair Tom Cuthbert explores the "Here" element of his "From Here to There" coaching framework, focusing on the present—the daily roles, responsibilities, and actions that drive a Vistage Chair practice. Drawing from Mahatma Gandhi’s insight, "The future depends on what you do today," Tom emphasizes the importance of the current moment while arguing it’s the least critical of the framework’s four elements ("From," "Here," "There," and the upcoming "To"). He provides practical strategies for assessing and optimizing "Here" through time management, focus, and key performance indicators like capacity, utilization rate, and member retention.

The episode concludes with "Tom’s Tips and Tricks," offering actionable advice on strengthening relationships with speakers—a cornerstone of Vistage community success. From selection to recruitment, Tom shares a four-step approach to ensure speakers deliver high value to members. Whether you’re a seasoned Chair or building your practice, this episode offers insights to lead with impact and live with intention.

Show Notes

Introduction: Tom introduces the "Here" focus, building on Episodes 2 ("From") and 4 ("There"), and sets the stage with Gandhi’s quote about the power of today’s actions.

The "Here" Element:

Defines "Here" as your current responsibilities, KPIs, and daily drivers (30-90 days).

Contrasts it with "From" (past) and "There" (future), noting its role as the immediate focus in coaching.

Argues "Here" is the least important, with reasoning tied to its role in serving "From" and "There" (full explanation at episode’s end).

Drilling Down on "Here":

Covers roles, company metrics, and personal commitments.

Key questions: Are your actions moving you toward your "There"? What’s keeping you stuck?

KPIs for Chairs: capacity, utilization, income per hour, NPS, referrals, and retention.

Time and Focus:

Time: Guard it, set boundaries, prioritize unique tasks, and let work come to you.

Focus: Be present, eliminate distractions, and align talents with passions (via a "magic quadrant").

Why "Here" Matters Less: Today’s actions are a bridge from past to future; "To" (next episode) will tie it together.

Closing: Reflect on your "Here" and tune in for Episode 7 on "To." Share the podcast at ChairLifePodcast.com.

Tom’s Tips and Tricks: Strengthening Speaker Relationships

Tom dedicates this segment to enhancing speaker engagement, vital for delivering value to Vistage members. Here’s his four-step strategy:

Speaker Selection:

Begins in June with ambassador meetings to review 50 annual speaker sessions.

Targets speakers with 4.7/5+ ratings and 100+ sessions; exceptions for trusted referrals or new talent.

Books top speakers for multiple days with other San Antonio Chairs; tests new speakers in development groups.

Speaker Prep:

Conducts a 20-minute call to align speakers with group needs and clarify takeaways.

Discusses group dynamics and tailors content for maximum impact.

Speaker Retention:

Post-session, offers speakers a chance to promote their work (e.g., books, programs) appropriately.

Promotes speakers on LinkedIn, writes recommendations, and rebooks high performers.

Speaker Recruitment:

Identifies potential speakers within the community (e.g., Trusted Advisor Group).

Develops new talent to refresh content as veteran speakers transition out.

Action Item: Thank speakers, post about them, and invite local talent to elevate your Vistage program.

Resources

Indistractable by Nir Eyal: https://www.amazon.com/Indistractable-Control-Your-Attention-Choose/dp/194883653X

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tAzSs1nOGNYWIKB04-oi0OcM1Y6dHXaaarAlUpc5yFE/edit?usp=sharing

www.TomCuthbert.com/Ambassadors

www.ChairLifePodcast.com