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