Welcome to the ChairLife podcast with Tom Cuthbert. As a CEO, coach, and Vistage Master Chair, Tom shares insights, strategies, and tools to help you build a successful Chair practice where mission and purpose intersect with a balanced work life. This is your guide to leading with impact while living with intention. In this episode, Tom kicks off a 12-week series on high-performing behaviors, focusing on the power of elite members, and addresses challenges companies face in mid-level management. Let’s dive in.
The Power of High-Performing Behaviors
Tom quotes NBA coach Phil Jackson: “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team,” linking it to Vistage’s success.

High-performing groups depend on elite members committed to shared values and trust.
Vistage supports Chairs with speakers, but members drive group excellence.
This 12-week series addresses rate increases, showcasing high-performing behaviors as value justification.

Why High-Performing Behaviors Matter
Tom explains the dual importance of focusing on member excellence, referencing Culture by Design by David Friedman.

High-performing members elevate meetings, one-to-ones, and inter-meeting interactions, increasing value.
Annual rate hikes (e.g., 2025) prompt questions; high-performing groups provide the best response.
Episode 9 offers an overview of these behaviors’ impact.

Cultivating High-Performing Behaviors
Tom outlines steps for Chairs to model and inspire elite membership, starting with self-reflection.

Self-Reflection: Assess personal commitment (e.g., enthusiasm, accountability) as members watch and discuss your actions.
Challenge Members: Ask questions like “How can I improve?” or “How am I holding others back?” in one-to-ones and meetings.
Avoid Mediocrity: Push for growth in companies, people, and community investment.
Model Excellence: Demonstrate behaviors to inspire members to elevate the group.

Tom’s Tips & Tricks: Companies Are Stretched in the Middle
Tom addresses mid-level management strain, offering Vistage solutions to support Chairs and CEOs.

Challenges: Companies face stretched middle management due to talent shortages and overload.
Impact: Low engagement and high turnover disrupt operations.
Solution: Leverage Vistage’s Emerging and Advancing Leader Groups to develop mid-level talent.
Benefits: Strengthens company bench strength and retention.
Action: Encourage CEOs to invest in mid-level leaders through Vistage programs.

Conclusion
Thank you for tuning into ChairLife. Cultivate high-performing behaviors to build elite groups and address mid-level challenges with Vistage solutions. Reflect on one personal improvement and discuss a mid-level development plan with a CEO. See you next time.


Resources
Explore these resources to support your Vistage Chair practice:
www.tomcuthbert.com
www.chairlifepodcast.com
www.tomcuthbert.com/highperforming
https://www.tomcuthbert.com/blog/2018/6/27/companies-break-in-the-middle
www.amazon.com/Give-Take-Helping-Others-Success/dp/0143124986
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B7L-gmrSBGi7xczAN-udd7nuQ5CwpE4mCJgy1w1Cc4Y/edit?usp=sharing