Leaders of small to mid size companies all over this great country are experiencing the added value of a group of successful business owners, presidents or CEOs. The belief “…you are a lot smarter as a group than any one of you.” is the prevailing mindset of the thousands of new members joining peer groups and boards around the country. Whether you find yourself in a group of 8 or 18, you have set yourself up in being a better leader, making better decisions, potentially greater accountability, improved results and a possible turn around in ones work life balance.
Is it reasonable for your board, partners, family members, stakeholders, venture or angel investors to expect you to have all the answers? I don’t think so. Is it reasonable for you to set aside one day a month to work “on” your business vs. “in” your business. Yes, I do think so.
Look for the “value add” of a monthly meeting with like minded executives creating a safe, open, honest, and confidential environment to discuss the undiscussable. Being around a conference room table with senior executives from a variety of industries, small to medium size local, private companies and no competitors or companies that are in your food chain is a unique, yet compelling experience. Determine if a seasoned facilator or executive coach will add to your ROI. Monthly one-to-one coaching sessions prior to the monthly meetings enables the two of you to perculate, distill strategic and time sensitive issues for processing at the monthly meeting. Expert speakers on acquisitions, exit strategies, human resources, leadership, marketing, mergers, sales, wealth management and wellness workshops to name a few will add to your overall monthly and annual satisfaction level and increase your leadership effectiveness and alignment with your management team.
Imagine how you will feel knowing that 200 to 300 years of successful leadership validated you and your leadership team pending decision or helped you look “around the corner” on an acquisition or a new product or service or revenue platform. How would it feel knowing you have access every month to your own board of advisors and the added confidence as you get to know, like and trust your advisory board members.
See if a Catapult, YPO, C12 or Vistage International advisory board or group is in your city and explore your options…it could be a potential game changer and one of your most meaningful decisionsyou will make in the balance of 2013.
Ed Stillman
Austin Texas
Austin Vistage | Ed Stillman 