For most of his career, Rick Rodgers kept one thing to himself: he has dyslexia.

He built a life in high-performance roles as a firefighter, paramedic, NASA rescue specialist, Wall Street professional, and commercial banker by working harder, pushing further, and proving he belonged. It wasn’t until his mid-30s, when he was finally diagnosed, that he began to understand how much that hidden struggle had shaped him.

In this episode of the Chairwaves podcast, Rick shares the moment during his Chair training when he chose honesty over self-protection. That shift allowed him to lead differently. Dyslexia, which once drove him to overcompensate, now shapes how he creates space for honesty and accountability in his Vistage groups. We talk about the loneliness of leadership and why so many accomplished executives still feel they have to project certainty instead of asking for help. Rick is now helping Chairs and CEOs better understand neurodiversity in their members, teams, and families.

The best way to reach Rick is by phone at 303-520-6447 or via email at [email protected]