# Vistage Research Center > Resource for Business Leadership, Coaching, and CEOs --- ## Posts - [Despite Shutdown, Small Business Confidence Hits 9-Month High [WSJ/Vistage Nov 2025]](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/economic-trends/20251125-small-business-confidence-hits-highest-levels-wsj-survey/): While economic sentiment remains dim among small business leaders, prospects and plans for their businesses have gained new momentum. Despite... - [5 Strategic Planning Priorities CEOs Must Address in 2026](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-leadership/20251121-strategic-planning-priorities/): As CEOs plan for 2026, uncertainty and rapid change can make it easy to get stuck in incremental thinking. From... - [Vistage CEO Connect 2025: Leadership Lessons Every CEO Needs to Hear](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-growth-strategy/vistage-ceo-connect-2025-leadership-lessons-every-ceo-needs-to-hear/): Vistage events bring together the most influential and accomplished business leaders in the region, offering a rare platform for learning,... - [Digital Engagement: Driving Productivity in the AI Era](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/talent-management/employee-development/20251119-digital-engagement/): Looking ahead to the next decade, one thing is increasingly clear: the organizations that thrive will be those that cultivate... - [Top Local Business Peer Groups in Los Angeles, CA](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/member-experience/local-business-peer-groups-los-angeles/): Los Angeles business leaders face complex challenges that require strategic peer input to navigate successfully. From managing growth in competitive... - [Beyond Bouncing Back: The True Essence of Resilient Leadership](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-leadership/20251113-resilient-leadership/): Each day, Shaun Tomson makes the choice to practice resilient leadership. This practice began in 1975 during a surfing competition... - [Top Local Business Peer Groups in Dallas, TX](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/member-experience/local-business-peer-groups-dallas/): In a city known for bold decisions and transformative thinking, exceptional leaders understand that reaching your full potential requires surrounding... - [From Founder to CEO: Mastering the Leadership Shift for Business Growth](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/personal-development/leadership-competencies/20251110-founder-to-ceo/): You’ve launched a successful company and worn every hat — CFO, CMO, head of sales, even customer support — along... - [Business Trends for 2026 and Beyond](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/economic-trends/20250813-business-trends-2026-and-beyond/): Entering 2026, small and midsize businesses are navigating a world of constant change, shaped by rapid advancements in AI, shifting... - [AI and SEO: the New Paradigm of Search Everywhere Optimization](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/customer-engagement/marketing-strategy/20251105-ai-and-seo/): For years, SEO was about one thing: getting to the top of Google. If you weren’t on page one, you... - [Top Local Business Peer Groups in Chicago, IL](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/member-experience/local-business-peer-groups-chicago/): Chicago business leaders operate in one of the most dynamic markets in the U. S. From global finance and health... - [CEO Confidence Remains ‘In Neutral’ As Leaders Wait [Vistage Q3 CEO Index]](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/economic-trends/20251008-ceo-confidence-remains-in-neutral-q3-vistage-ceo-index/): “Only time will tell” is a time-honored truth. No strategy instantly comes to life at its announcement; it takes time... - [Business Trends for 2026 and Beyond: An Executive Summary](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/economic-trends/20251103-business-trends-for-2026-and-beyond-executive-summary/): In this year’s trend series, we reflect on a business cycle shaping a new set of challenges for Vistage members.... - [The UK Economy at a Glance: Autumn 2025](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/the-uk-economy-at-a-glance-autumn-2025/): Economic headlines thrive on sensationalism. But the reality is often far more balanced. Around the world, populist politics often drag... - [Economic Trends for 2026 and Beyond](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/economic-trends/20251027-economic-trends-for-2026-and-beyond/): In Part IV of our series, we focus on Economic Trends facing small and midsize businesses (SMBs) in 2026 and... - [Peer Mentoring and Generative AI: A Human Way to Learn](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-operations/business-technology/20251024-peer-mentoring-and-generative-ai/): Editor’s Note: This is part of an ongoing series examining generative AI and its continuing impact on the business world.... - [Hybrid Work Isn’t Dead; It’s Being Optimized](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/talent-management/20251024-hybrid-work-optimization-2025/): For desk workers, the transition from the traditional “MF95” (Monday to Friday, 9 to 5) office to a more flexible,... - [Increasing Costs Sour Small Business Outlook [WSJ/Vistage Oct 2025]](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/economic-trends/20251023-increasing-costs-sour-small-business-outlook-wsj-survey/): In the past month, a series of events has stalled small business confidence, leading the WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence... - [Special Report: AI Trends for 2026 and Beyond](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/economic-trends/20251020-ai-trends-for-2026-and-beyond/): In Part III of our series, we turn our attention to AI. It was only three years ago that ChatGPT... - [How Leaders Can Improve Their Strategic Planning Process](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-leadership/strategic-planning/20241107-strategic-planning/): As 2026 rapidly approaches, many business leaders are starting their strategic planning process. Setting a strategy is the most difficult... - [10 Reasons Why Quiet Leadership Wins in the AI Era](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/personal-development/leadership-competencies/20251017-quiet-leadership/): Today’s business landscape is noisy. Nonstop headlines compete for attention, and social media amplifies everyone’s opinions in a complex environment.... - [Turbocharge Your Business: A Formula for Value Creation](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/capital-cash-management/20251015-value-creation/): Entrepreneurs are builders and shapers of ideas, companies, jobs. And to keep building — to keep the entrepreneurial dream alive... - [Technology Trends for 2026 and Beyond](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/economic-trends/20261013-technology-trends-for-2026-and-beyond/): In Part II of our series, we focus on Technology Trends facing small and midsize businesses (SMBs) in 2026 and... - [Social and Workforce Trends for 2026 and Beyond](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/economic-trends/20251006-social-and-workforce-trends-for-2026-and-beyond/): In Part I of our series, we focus on social and workforce trends facing Vistage members in 2026 and beyond.... - [3 in 4 UK SME Leaders Doubt Autumn Budget Will Support Growth: Q3 Confidence Index Findings](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/3-in-4-uk-sme-leaders-doubt-autumn-budget-will-support-growth-q3-confidence-index-findings/): The Labour government continues to signal that difficult decisions are ahead. With borrowing costs at a twenty-seven-year high and sluggish... - [How to Develop Future-Ready Skills Through Agile Leadership](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/personal-development/leadership-competencies/20251002-agile-leadership/): Superman might not cut it in today’s business world. Faster than a speeding bullet? More powerful than a locomotive? You’ll... - [The Top Executive Coaching Companies of 2025](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/member-experience/top-executive-coaching-companies/): We conducted an extensive analysis of the top executive coaching firms from March 2024 through August 2025, evaluating 73 companies... - [Ahead of Rate Cut, Small Business Confidence Hits 8-Month High [WSJ/Vistage Sept 2025]](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/economic-trends/20250925-small-business-confidence-hits-8-month-high-wsj-survey/): Mere speculation about interest rate cuts led to a boost in small business confidence in September. The WSJ/Vistage Small Business... - [(It’s) OK, Boomer: How Reverse Mentorship Enhances Leadership](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/personal-development/20250924-reverse-mentorship/): Steven Robertson is an internationally acclaimed author, a recognized keynote speaker and a respected executive with 30+ years’ experience consulting... - [Shared Fate: The Secret Ingredient for Accountable Teams](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-leadership/20250923-shared-fate-accountability/): Think back to the best team you’ve ever been on. Maybe it was a sports team, a work project, or... - [Uncovering Hidden Gems: Use Precision Interviewing to Select Top Talent](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/talent-management/hiring-recruitment-sourcing/20250623-precision-interviewing-to-select-top-talent/): In this webinar, 2024 Vistage Speaker of the Year Kathleen Quinn Votaw delivers an energetic and transformative presentation on the... - [Creating Lasting Impact: Leadership Lessons from Seth Godin](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-leadership/20250905-creating-lasting-impact-seth-godin/): What happens when Seth Godin, one of the world’s most original business thinkers, challenges CEOs to rethink everything they know... - [How Leaders Can Maximize AI and Productivity in the Workplace](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-operations/business-technology/20250915-ai-and-productivity-leadership/): As much as the workplace has evolved over the last decade, the challenge of balancing AI and productivity alongside workforce... - [Are you setting goals in the right way?](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/personal-development/are-you-setting-goals-in-the-right-way/): 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the development of Brian Mayne’s Goal Mapping system. It’s a system for which Brian... - [The Top Leadership Development Programs: 2025 List](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/member-experience/top-leadership-development-programs/): We analyzed 47 leadership development programs serving CEOs and executive teams, evaluating them against measurable criteria for business impact and... - [‘I Thought I Was Having a Heart Attack’: 5 Lessons on CEO Health and Leadership](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/personal-development/20250910-ceo-health-and-leadership/): Editor’s Note: As part of our ongoing CEO Health and Wellness coverage, we invited Mark Taylor (center), a Vistage Master... - [What the Best CEOs Do Differently — and Why It Works](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-leadership/20250909-the-best-ceos-do/): There are just some leaders who stand out among their peers. It’s not just their education or industry experience. It’s... - [Gen AI Adoption: Why Teams Are Lagging — and What CEOs Must Do](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-operations/business-technology/20250902-gen-ai-adoption-ceos/): Editor’s Note: This is part of an ongoing series examining generative AI and its continuing impact on the business world.... - [“Fear will always be there. The secret is to push through it”: How to build mental resilience in leadership](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/personal-development/work-life-balance/fear-will-always-be-there-the-secret-is-to-push-through-it-how-to-build-mental-resilience-in-leadership/): Lorraine McDonnell knows how to push limits. A keynote speaker, single parent of three, and the only combined Sundoor Firewalking... - [Why Leadership is Critical in an Economic Downturn](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-leadership/20250829-leadership-economic-downturn/): “Uncertainty” is the word on the minds of most small and midsize business executives in 2025. A plethora of policy... - [CEO Health and Wellness Resource Center](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/personal-development/wellness/20250710-health-and-wellness-resource-center/): The demands of leadership are relentless, and, increasingly, CEOs and business leaders are recognizing that performance at the top starts... - [CEO Burnout Prevention: How Resilient Leaders Prioritize Wellness During Uncertainty](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/personal-development/wellness/20250826-ceo-burnout-prevention/): When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, it brought unprecedented uncertainty, including a break in a 10-year run of economic... - [Vistage Chair Peter Hills: Top tips for coaching](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/chair-experience/vistage-chair-peter-hills-top-tips-for-coaching/): My Coaching Journey I recently hit 25 years of being a Chair and it’s understandably given me some chance to... - [Uncertainty Rises, Small Business CEO Confidence Stalls [WSJ/Vistage Aug 2025]](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-financials/economic-trends/20250819-uncertainty-rises-small-business-confidence-wsj-survey/): After July’s modest boost in confidence, the WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index dropped slightly in August to 85. 0.... - [Practical Action Plans to Improve Leadership Skills Across Various Scenarios](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-leadership/20250818-action-plan-to-improve-leadership-skills/): Bob Prosen likes to say he has a superpower. It may not be a sexy superhero trait like flying or... - [Vistage on the Hill 2025: Members Bring ‘Brutal Facts’ to D.C.](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-leadership/20250815-vistage-on-the-hill-2025/): In a time of economic uncertainty and shifting policy landscapes, the 7th annual “Vistage on the Hill” event brought clarity,... - [How CEOs Train Like Elite Athletes to Lead at Peak Performance](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-leadership/20250813-how-ceos-train-like-elite-athletes/): The world’s best CEOs don’t just lead — they train. They approach leadership the same way elite athletes approach competition:... - [Implementing an Agile Talent Management Strategy for Organizational Success](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/talent-management/20250811-agile-talent-management/): When Craig Weber consults with a company trying to adopt agile talent management, he first works to understand the organization’s... - [Why AI Adoption in Business Is Every CEO’s Urgent Priority](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-operations/business-technology/20250807-ai-adoption-in-business/): AI adoption in business is no longer a distant prospect for the future. It is here, and leaders need to... - [Could multitasking be damaging your business?](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/business-growth-strategy/could-multitasking-be-damaging-your-business/): Sarah Furness spent 21 years as a helicopter pilot and squadron leader in the Royal Air Force. “Leading operational combat... - [How CEOs Can Use Mindful Movement to Combat Chronic Stress](https://vistage.co.uk/research-centre/personal-development/wellness/20250805-stress-relief-exercises-for-ceos/): In today’s fast-paced world, the pressure to succeed professionally and personally leaves many of us in a constant state of... --- # # Detailed Content ## Posts While economic sentiment remains dim among small business leaders, prospects and plans for their businesses have gained new momentum. Despite rising costs and the government shutdown, the WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index rose to 90. 2, driven by an increased optimism in revenue and profit expectations. While the environment may not be booming, it is steadier and aligns with forecasts for accelerating growth in the year ahead. That said, the snag remains that an increasing number of small business leaders believe the economy has definitively worsened compared to 12 months ago (51%), a return to pessimism seen earlier this year when tariffs were confounding them. The data reveals a growing divide in sentiment as small business leaders separate the current economic climate from the realities they face in their businesses. Leaders are making decisions rooted in realism — with growth expectations tempered by costs and pricing constraints. Inflation’s Ongoing Grip on Small Business Strategy One of the realities that small businesses continue to face is rising costs. The vast majority, 91% of small business leaders, report some level of inflationary impact. While this is not new, clear themes emerged from specific impacts reported in the survey: Vendor increases are the top cost pressure, with nearly 7 in 10 small business leaders citing higher supplier costs. This extends into other pass-through costs, says Shannon Oelkers, principal consultant and owner of Integrity Environmental, LLC, in Eagle River, Alaska. “Any pass-through or reimbursable costs like lab samples, equipment rentals, airfare, and hotels... --- As CEOs plan for 2026, uncertainty and rapid change can make it easy to get stuck in incremental thinking. From persistent economic volatility to shifting workforce expectations and the acceleration of AI adoption, many business leaders are defaulting to caution. CEOs tend to play it safe and can be hesitant to make big moves. Caution is understandable; the past few years have been unpredictable. However, that mindset can be dangerous. Incremental progress might feel secure, but it rarely leads to real growth. Now is the time to think big — to revisit the long-term vision and ensure every part of the strategy supports it. Below are 5 strategic planning priorities for best-in-class leaders as they map out 2026 and beyond: 1. Think Big, Not Incremental Right now, many leaders are frozen by uncertainty. They’re so focused on surviving the next quarter that they’ve lost sight of the bigger picture. Hitting a few short-term targets might feel like progress, but focusing solely on the short term could come at the expense of long-term success. Incremental thinking can quietly stall growth. When leaders lower their expectations or assume the next year will be a “reset” period, they stop challenging their teams to innovate. Employees pick up on that mindset immediately. If leaders tell their team it’s going to be a tough year, they’ll take that as permission to play it safe. The best leaders keep their long-term vision front and center, even in uncertain times. These long-term goals drive every decision. 2.... --- Vistage events bring together the most influential and accomplished business leaders in the region, offering a rare platform for learning, inspiration, and connection.   CEO Connect 2025 exemplified this, combining world-class keynote speakers with practical breakout sessions designed to accelerate leadership growth, resilience, and organisational performance. Attendees left with fresh ideas, renewed motivation, and actionable insights to strengthen their leadership and drive meaningful results in their organisations. Here are just some of the insightful key takeaways from the event.   High-performance leadership starts from within In recognition of World Mental Health Day, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Lorraine McDonnell explored the real-world tools and techniques leaders can use to harness mental resilience and perform at their best. Even when the stakes are high.   “The quality of your thoughts determines the quality of your life,” she reminded the audience. We always have a choice.   Her message was both simple and profound: mental strength begins with self-awareness, and true leadership starts from within. She finished with a call to action: “Don’t keep your dreams a secret,” she urged. “Your dreams need to be so big they scare you. ”  Lorraine challenged every leader in the room to own their ambitions out loud and keep pushing towards them, especially when they feel daunting. Because when we choose courage over comfort, extraordinary things happen. Real growth happens when you embrace setbacks with honesty and resilience Sara Davies MBE, founder and CEO of Crafter’s Companion and one of the UK’s most recognisable entrepreneurs, pulled... --- Looking ahead to the next decade, one thing is increasingly clear: the organizations that thrive will be those that cultivate digital engagement, not just digital adoption. While technology continues to advance at unprecedented speed, it’s the human factors surrounding it — curiosity, adaptability, and comfort with experimentation — that will determine which companies unlock productivity gains and which fall behind. Generative AI is moving fast, reshaping how work gets done and redefining what’s possible for small and midsize businesses. But despite its astonishing capabilities, humans will determine its speed, impact and ultimate value. And today’s digitally engaged workers will be the ones who push their organizations into the future. Engagement Has Always Driven Performance Long before AI entered the workplace, employee engagement was already one of the strongest predictors of retention, productivity, and performance. Engaged workers show lower absenteeism and turnover, fewer quality defects, and higher customer satisfaction, sales, and profitability. They bring discretionary effort — the willingness to go above and beyond because they feel connected to the mission, valued by their leaders, and motivated to grow. Engagement is not the same as happiness or job satisfaction. It’s the emotional commitment employees feel toward their organization’s goals, a more profound connection that fuels collaboration, problem-solving, and resilience in an ever-changing environment. But the latest data reveals a troubling trend: U. S. employee engagement remains stuck at 32%, with 17% actively disengaged. Two-thirds of employees are “not engaged,” and younger workers are particularly detached, with Gen Z engagement sliding by... --- Los Angeles business leaders face complex challenges that require strategic peer input to navigate successfully. From managing growth in competitive markets to handling the isolation that comes with executive decision-making, CEOs need trusted advisors who understand the stakes involved in high-level leadership roles. This guide examines the premier peer advisory options available to LA-area business leaders, with particular focus on Vistage’s established groups throughout the region. You’ll discover specific group structures, member demographics and the strategic advantages that peer advisory provides in Los Angeles’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. “When I joined Vistage, our business was just coming into its own. Since then, I’ve learned how to better run meetings, ask better questions, and we implemented new processes that have resulted in our business growing 55% in the past 4 years. Being in Vistage is like taking a PhD for business owners. ”—Nils H. Rasmussen, CEO, Solver USA Here’s what you’ll learn about peer advisory groups in Los Angeles: Established Vistage Chairs and their group specializations throughout the LA market Member success stories and measurable outcomes from peer advisory participation Meeting structures and confidentiality protocols that enable strategic vulnerability Competitive advantages of peer groups in LA’s diverse business landscape How to evaluate peer advisory fit for your business stage and growth goals Why Los Angeles CEOs Need Peer Advisory Groups It’s lonely at the top. Vistage offers support from a curated group of CEOs, founders and business owners like you. Strategic isolation presents one of the most significant challenges facing today’s business leaders.... --- Each day, Shaun Tomson makes the choice to practice resilient leadership. This practice began in 1975 during a surfing competition at Waimea Bay in Hawaii, long before Tomson ever consulted with a business or spoke to a Vistage group. At the time, Tomson says that waves at Waimea Bay were surfing’s equivalent of Mount Everest, the pinnacle of big-wave riding. Then, a professional surfer, Tomson felt awe at the size of the waves — watching the water fall from them was like watching buildings crumble. When it was Tomson’s turn, he rode an enormous wave but wiped out, was dragged under the water, and nearly drowned in a riptide. He knew that no help would arrive, as competitions in that era had no rescue team and no lifeguards. It was just him and his board alone in the water. Tomson struggled back to his board, land within sight, and saw that he had an existential choice to make. If he went back to shore, he’d surely lose the competition. If he paddled back out to catch another wave, he had a chance to win. At that moment, Tomson chose to paddle back out and catch another wave, a choice that he’s stuck with since that day. He didn’t win the competition, but he learned that being resilient means having hope, being committed to your purpose, and taking actions that reflect that hope and purpose. And that’s what he teaches the executives and leaders across the country. “Resilience is a committed... --- In a city known for bold decisions and transformative thinking, exceptional leaders understand that reaching your full potential requires surrounding yourself with others who challenge you to think bigger and act bolder. This comprehensive guide explores Dallas’s premier peer advisory landscape, with in-depth analysis of how the right local connections accelerate business leadership development. You’ll discover the strategic advantage of professionally facilitated groups and learn why Dallas’s most successful executives choose structured peer advisory over casual networking. Here’s what you’ll learn about peer advisory groups in Dallas: Proven methodologies that transform leadership capability and business performance Dallas-based Vistage Chairs with deep expertise across industries and growth stages Real results from current members who’ve strengthened their leadership and organizations Strategic frameworks for selecting peer advisory partnerships that deliver measurable impact Competitive landscape analysis to help you make informed decisions about your leadership development “In these advisory groups we’ve created an atmosphere of trust, sharing, warmth and empathy — and for many it’s the only place they can let their guard down and really be seen. ” – Artie Issac, Vistage Chair Why Dallas Leaders Choose Structured Peer Development The Strategic Imperative for Executive Peer Advisory Dallas’s explosive growth demands leaders who can scale themselves as rapidly as they scale their businesses. The challenges facing today’s executives, from talent retention in competitive markets to navigating economic uncertainty, require insights that only come from collective intelligence and proven experience. The most successful Dallas leaders recognize a fundamental truth: strategic isolation is a growth... --- You’ve launched a successful company and worn every hat — CFO, CMO, head of sales, even customer support — along the way. As the business has grown, the grit, creativity and relentless energy that got you to this point may no longer be enough to take the organization to the next level. “Scalability requires different leadership,” says Dan Quiggle, author, founder and CEO of The Quiggle Group. “Founders excel at vision and hands-on problem solving, but as a company grows, success hinges on scalable processes like delegation and systemized decision-making. ” Without shifting from a founder to a CEO mindset, growth can stall. Bottlenecks emerge, culture fragments and burnout threaten both the leader and the organization. Mastering this transition is vital for sustained success. David Friedman, author, Vistage speaker, CEO, and developer of CultureWise®, bluntly frames the options: founders must either step into the CEO role, bring someone in to fill it, or risk failure. “The most important shift that has to take place is recognizing that the success of the business is more a function of how well run the company is than how good you are at the specific skill, craft or expertise you started the business with,” Friedman says. “That’s a huge shift that many people don’t make successfully. ” The Key Difference: Founder vs. CEO Mindset Making the move from founder to CEO is about more than new responsibilities. It’s about embracing a significant mindset shift. Founder Mode: The Visionary Role Founders are scrappy and excel... --- https://youtu. be/OAM16R14_SA Entering 2026, small and midsize businesses are navigating a world of constant change, shaped by rapid advancements in AI, shifting workforce dynamics, global instability, and economic uncertainty. To help you make informed decisions, Vistage speaker and strategy expert Marc Emmer shares his forecast for 2026, covering 4 key areas covered in his popular trends series: Social & Workforce Technology Artificial Intelligence Economic Marc’s insights show you how to turn trends in each of these areas into opportunities for growth and gain a lasting competitive edge for your business. Read Marc Emmer’s 2026 Trends Series Part I: Social and Workforce Trends for 2026 and Beyond Part II: Technology Trends for 2026 and Beyond Part III: Special Report: AI Trends for 2026 and Beyond Part IV: Economic Trends for 2026 and Beyond About the presenter Marc Emmer is President of Optimize Inc. , a management consulting firm based in Los Angeles. Marc is a 20-year Vistage member and is recognized throughout North America as an author, speaker and expert on strategy and strategic planning. The release of his second book, Momentum: How Companies Decide What to Do Next, was covered online by Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, CBS and CNBC. Marc has crafted strategic plans for over 200 organizations, including more than 100 Vistage members. He is a frequent contributor to the Vistage Research Center, Forbes. com and Inc. com. --- For years, SEO was about one thing: getting to the top of Google. If you weren’t on page one, you might as well have been invisible. But thanks to generative AI, the rules have changed — and so must your strategy. This shift has introduced a new marketing paradigm: Search Everywhere Optimization. What Is Generative AI Doing to Search? Generative AI tools like Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and ChatGPT don’t just point users to websites. They create complete answers, summaries, and recommendations instantly. That means your prospect may never click a link at all — unless your content is optimized to appear in the answer itself. The scale of adoption is staggering. As of September 2025, ChatGPT has 782 million unique users, and Microsoft Copilot (powered by ChatGPT) adds another 93 million. Together, that’s about 838 million monthly users — a 116% year-over-year increase. ChatGPT now holds 74. 5% of the overall AI search and chat market share, while Google Gemini accounts for 13. 4% and Perplexity 6. 5%. Why Search Everywhere Optimization Matters Your prospects are no longer patient researchers. Industry analysis shows users increasingly value the convenience of information over quality. A recent survey found most ChatGPT users prefer quick, straightforward answers — even if they bypass longer, higher-quality sources. This is where Search Everywhere Optimization comes in. It is the practice of ensuring your brand and content are findable across every platform where people are searching — not just Google. That means optimizing for: AI-driven engines like... --- Chicago business leaders operate in one of the most dynamic markets in the U. S. From global finance and health care to manufacturing and technology, executives face complex decisions that shape their companies and the region’s economy. Peer advisory groups provide a confidential space where CEOs can navigate these challenges with guidance from accomplished peers who understand what’s at stake. This guide highlights the premier peer advisory options for Chicago-area executives, with a focus on Vistage’s established presence in the region. When I was introduced to Vistage, I understood that this was an opportunity for me to have a group to rely upon. — Robert Balentine, Founding Partner & Chairman, Balentine LLC In this article, you’ll learn: Why Chicago executives benefit from peer advisory groups Vistage peer advisory groups in Chicago Featured Chicago Vistage Chairs Meeting structures and accountability systems Success stories from Chicago CEOs who turned peer insights into measurable growth Why Chicago CEOs Need Peer Advisory Groups Strategic isolation is one of the toughest challenges for leaders in Chicago’s diverse business environment. Whether you’re preparing for expansion into new markets, evaluating acquisition opportunities or steering through labor challenges, the weight of these decisions often rests on you alone. Vistage provides a network of CEOs, business owners, and founders who understand those pressures firsthand and hold each other accountable for achieving meaningful results. These groups are where good leaders become great. How Rose Paving in Chicago, IL Benefits From CEO Peer Groups https://vistage-worldwide. wistia. com/medias/g6alyipydv The Compound Effect of... --- “Only time will tell” is a time-honored truth. No strategy instantly comes to life at its announcement; it takes time for the initiatives to take hold and begin to have an impact. Leaders have a vision and extol the greatness of things to come, promising a brighter tomorrow, given time. However, it requires patience to see that vision come into reality, especially in uncertain times. CEO Confidence Rises, Remains Below Last Year The Q3 2025 Vistage CEO Confidence Index remains ‘in neutral’ as CEOs await a pivot to prosperity or a retreat into recession. The Index rose by 4. 7 points to reach 81. 9, but despite the gain, this level of confidence has not yet broken the low of 2024. While slightly above the 12-quarter average of 80. 2, confidence remains well below the 97. 8 average of the 2010s. Each of the six components that comprise the Vistage CEO Index experienced a slight increase from the previous quarter. Backward-looking views of the economy improved, but forward-looking expectations barely rose. Anticipated revenue and profits ticked up as well, slightly above the 3-year average. Investments and hiring followed suit with minor increases. While there is good news in the fact that the proportion of CEOs planning to increase headcount in the year ahead grew 6 points from last quarter to reach 48%, 13% plan for reduced headcount in the next 12 months. This represents three consecutive quarters where the proportion of CEOs expecting headcount to decrease has been in double... --- In this year’s trend series, we reflect on a business cycle shaping a new set of challenges for Vistage members. Small and midsize businesses (SMBs) wrestle with tariff uncertainty, higher input costs, the no-hire/no-fire job market, and accelerating technological disruption. 2026 will test our resilience, discipline, and adaptability. The trend series illuminates 5 converging forces: A cooling economy with persistent inflationary pressure. A shrinking and disengaged workforce. An explosion of technological capability and complexity. The mainstreaming of artificial intelligence into every business function. The widening gap between companies that adapt and those that don’t. The opportunity is to lead the transformation now while competitors are mired in the mud. Want to get ahead of the curve? Watch Marc Emmer explore business trends for 2026 and beyond in this on-demand webinar. The Economic Picture Growth next year will remain modest, hovering near 1–2% amid escalating costs for materials, logistics, and labor. The true impact of tariffs will become more evident in the next 6 months. Inflation is no longer a blip; it’s a semi-permanent condition that will keep pressure on margins. Interest rates may ease slightly, but not enough to restore the cheap-capital environment of the 2010s. This means companies must pivot from a growth to a profitability mindset. Expect to see more scrutiny from lenders and investors, slower payback periods for capital projects, and a premium on operational excellence — powered by AI. M&A will continue, but deal logic will shift from scale and market share to synergy and resilience.... --- Economic headlines thrive on sensationalism. But the reality is often far more balanced.   Around the world, populist politics often drag on growth through debt, protectionism, and weaker institutions, and the UK is not immune to political missteps. Government communication is poor, debt is high, and broad tax cuts are off the table.   Yet there are reasons for optimism: infrastructure spending is rising, SMEs remain resilient, and the data signals steady, if unspectacular, growth. Roger Martin-Fagg’s September 2025 economic update cuts through the noise with a behavioural lens on how money really flows. Here are a few snapshots from the report. The UK snapshot: Optimism with caveats Looking at the UK economy, a “visitor from Mars,” as Roger puts it, would see much to be positive about: Money supply is growing at 4%, consistent with steady GDP expansion (1. 5–2%). Investment spending is at 18% of GDP, right in line with the average since 1950. Household incomes are holding steady, with the average gross income at £55. 2k and the average tax take of 29% of income. But the details matter: Per capita income hasn’t grown since 2019, partly due to immigration inflows. Households are saving 12% of after‑tax income (double historic norms), reflecting a combination of fear and ageing. Inflation is ticking back up, with core measures 3. 6–4. 2%. While food inflation is likely to hit 6% by year‑end as a result of supply shortages and inevitable price increases. Bank Rate is unlikely to fall further, and... --- In Part IV of our series, we focus on Economic Trends facing small and midsize businesses (SMBs) in 2026 and beyond. Margaret Thatcher once said, “Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides. ” Small and midsize businesses are under pressure to maintain volume and pricing as tariffs and other inputs bite into margins. After spiking to 40-year highs, inflation has cooled but continues to run above the Federal Reserve’s target. Labor is scarce and expensive, with wages and benefits climbing fast. All this at a time when the cost of capital remains high, and growth plans are muted. The U. S. is on course for a sustained stagflationary period. But opportunities exist — from productivity boosts via AI to growth in key industries like tech, health care, and clean energy. In this writing, we consider the economic outlook for 2026, noting a central theme: Vistage members must navigate higher costs and tighter margins. They should focus less on revenue growth and more on protecting profitability. Despite headwinds, one of the biggest surprises of 2025 has been the resilience of the U. S. economy. Through the third quarter, the S&P 500 gained 9. 8%, while the Nasdaq jumped 17. 5%, powered by AI stocks. Markets usually recoil from uncertainty, yet even amid tariff turmoil, GDP expanded at a solid 3. 8% clip in Q3, replicating its strong showing in Q2. The economy continues to defy gravity. Want to... --- Editor’s Note: This is part of an ongoing series examining generative AI and its continuing impact on the business world. Peer mentoring and generative AI together create a transformative strategy that can revolutionize how organizations adopt and utilize AI. By leveraging the power of personal connections and shared expertise, peer mentoring accelerates learning, fosters collaboration, and fuels innovation. In today’s fast-paced business environment, where the mastery of Gen AI tools can mean the difference between staying competitive and falling behind, this approach is nothing short of essential. The Human Element of Embracing Gen AI Generative AI tools promise efficiency, creativity, and transformative possibilities, but for many employees, navigating these tools can feel daunting. That’s where peer mentoring steps in, offering a bridge between uncertainty and confidence. When employees learn directly from colleagues who have already mastered Gen AI, they gain not just technical know-how but also context-specific insights tailored to their unique roles. Imagine being guided through a new tool by someone who understands the nuances of your workload, rather than sitting through a generic training webinar. Peer mentors personalize the learning process, demonstrating how peer mentoring and generative AI collaborate in real-world scenarios. This one-on-one guidance makes Gen AI tools more accessible and, importantly, more relatable, while managing risks. Empowering Early Adopters as Mentors to Embrace Gen AI Organizations often underestimate the goldmine of talent within their own ranks. Early adopters of Gen AI—those employees who have enthusiastically embraced these tools to enhance tasks like coding, content creation, and... --- For desk workers, the transition from the traditional “MF95” (Monday to Friday, 9 to 5) office to a more flexible, technology-forward workplace is nearly complete. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the MF95 workplace relied heavily on the physical environment and tools available to employees. Hybrid or remote work options were rare, coveted benefits, usually limited to the tech sector. Otherwise, people came into an office daily to do their work surrounded by other people. Today, the workplace looks very different as hybrid and remote work options are mainstream. With technology enabling people to work from anywhere — and AI becoming an integral part of the workforce — flexibility has become a strategic lever for many organizations, helping to maximize productivity, streamline overhead, and enhance employee retention. And despite the slew of Return-to-Office (RTO) headlines over the last few years, the reality is many leaders are leaving the MF95 in the rearview and leaning into hybrid work. For small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), the prominence of hybrid work has remained stable, with only minor shifts over the last three years. According to Vistage CEO Confidence Index data, 43% of all SMBs offer hybrid work as of Q3 2025, a decrease of 7 percentage points since Q2 2022. Meanwhile, the percentage of workplaces that are fully remote has increased slightly (8% in Q3 2025, compared to 7% in Q2 2022). This 7-point rise in fully onsite work (up to 45% in Q3 2025 from 38% in Q2 2022) is a far cry from... --- In the past month, a series of events has stalled small business confidence, leading the WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index to dip to 85. 8 in October. While the decrease in interest rates provided a bright spot, it was dampened by the government shutdown, new tariffs on China, and the ongoing impact of higher costs.   Skyrocketing Insurance Costs Significantly Impact Profitability Despite the opportunity that lower interest rates offer, profitability expectations declined 4 points from last month. While rising wages and tariffs-related costs have made headlines, a significant burden for small businesses is the impact of rising insurance costs. The most significant increases have come in health insurance, with over half of small business leaders reporting increases of more than 10%. This will also have a significant impact on employees. To accommodate offering employee health insurance, many small businesses are exploring self-insurance models, even reducing benefits, or passing the cost on to employees. There is interest in solutions like pooled risk models, shared resources for negotiation, or advocacy for policy reform. “Health premiums are skyrocketing, coverage is decreasing, payors are prioritizing their financial health over patients. With rising costs, patients are struggling to even cover their copays, often forgoing their care," shares Ray Wolf, CEO of Televero Health, Inc. , In Largo Vista, Texas. "It is not a sustainable situation for everyday Americans. ” “Health insurance is a joke — we pay so much as an employer for major medical for our employees," adds Nina Dittmar, CEO of... --- In Part III of our series, we turn our attention to AI. It was only three years ago that ChatGPT captured our imagination with its ability to generate text, images, and even video on demand. Over the past year, I’ve led conversations with more than 500 Vistage members about how they’re using AI. Some have woven these tools into daily routines, while others are just tinkering. That’s not surprising — most of the business world is still figuring out how to put AI to use. As of today, only about 3% of ChatGPT users pay for the premium version, even though that is what unlocks its most powerful features. In 2024, venture capital investors poured $124 billion into AI overall, but only $1 billion into “agentic AI” — the type of technology that can plan and execute complex, multistep tasks independently. The imbalance shows where attention is focused: quick wins in LLMs versus the deeper potential of power tools such as autonomous agents. Herein lies the opportunity to leapfrog the competition with real investment in AI. However, the talent to deploy agentic AI is scarce and expensive. Job postings for agentic AI roles grew 986% between 2023 and 2024, a sign that demand far outstrips supply. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that wait too long risk being left behind. This creates an opportunity for those willing to act now. Member Adoption of AI Moore’s Law assumed that computing power would double every 18-24 months. With AI, the pace is even... --- As 2026 rapidly approaches, many business leaders are starting their strategic planning process. Setting a strategy is the most difficult and important part of a CEO’s job. While there are many different ways to create an annual strategic plan, effective plans include a few common elements. They reflect what worked and did not work well in the previous year, and the opportunities for the following year. They are actionable, measurable, and concise enough for the team to frequently review them to ensure alignment. Strategic plans are not meant to just sit on the shelf until they get dusted off the following year during the next strategic planning process. Annual strategic planning provides the opportunity to identify the end goal, define the metrics that will measure success, and outline the actions required to achieve these objectives. The end result provides a plan that unifies the team around the goals and drives results. Successful strategic plans usually answer the following questions: Identifying the end goal: What are we trying to accomplish? The most comprehensive strategic planning processes include a deep review of the previous year. This involves listening to the team about what specifically worked and what did not. Hearing from employees at all levels allows a leader to understand challenges and opportunities from those who are closest to customers, with the benefit of various perspectives. Amid a busy year, incorporating these deep reviews provides a crucial opportunity to press pause and analyze what needs to change for the following year to... --- Today’s business landscape is noisy. Nonstop headlines compete for attention, and social media amplifies everyone’s opinions in a complex environment. On the surface, it can sometimes seem that the loudest, most charismatic, and commanding personalities rise to the top. Throughout my career, I’ve had the chance to get to know a wide range of CEOs — and many of them are charismatic. But that has not been the difference-maker in their leadership. Instead, some of the best leaders listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and act with humility. This “quiet leadership” is not passive or hands-off; it is deliberate, curious, and grounded in purposeful action that drives real change. Rather than focusing on ego or spectacle, quiet leadership is about leading with intention, earning trust through consistency, and putting the success of the team and the organization first. Why Quiet Leadership Wins in the AI Era As the role of artificial intelligence grows in our lives, human qualities like empathy, humility, and curiosity become even more valuable. Technology can generate ideas and reinforce existing thinking, but it cannot replace authentic human connection. Quiet leaders understand this instinctively: They build credibility through genuine relationships, not algorithms. These leaders share a common set of principles and practices that guide how they work and show up for their teams: 1. Humility Respect grows when leaders admit their limitations, take responsibility for mistakes, and remain grounded. Employees appreciate leaders who share when they don’t have all the answers and ask others to contribute to solutions.... --- Entrepreneurs are builders and shapers of ideas, companies, jobs. And to keep building — to keep the entrepreneurial dream alive — they need to create value. Value creation means forging a healthy, scalable business, one that can grow sustainably and ultimately attract a favorable buyer if that’s the goal. The best way to reach this sought-after stage is to use the Value Creation Formula. This formula is a blueprint for building a turbocharged growth engine. And great news: each of its dimensions can apply to the unique needs of companies across industries. Following the Formula The Value Creation Formula is about viewing your business through an investor’s eyes. Even if you’re not seeking investment, taking a buyer’s perspective is worthwhile because they have a keen sense for a company’s future profitability. At Class VI, we’ve learned a thing or two from sealing M&A deals totaling over $4 billion. Chief among the lessons is that investors tend to consider four key components as indicators of a company’s health, resilience, and worth: A credible growth story. It’s not enough to believe in yourself and your company; you need to present unimpeachable data showing how much the business has grown and indicating good odds of future success. A capable team. A competent executive team with strong leadership and communication skills can take charge of areas like finance, operations, and technology, freeing up the CEO to focus on strategy and vision. Operational excellence. You need the daily grind of your business to run efficiently.... --- In Part II of our series, we focus on Technology Trends facing small and midsize businesses (SMBs) in 2026 and beyond. While AI touches every part of technology, we will cover it more extensively in our AI Special Report (Part III of this series). Want to get ahead of the curve? Watch Marc Emmer explore Business Trends for 2026 and Beyond in this on-demand webinar. More in this series Part I: Social and Workforce Trends for 2026 and Beyond Part III: Special Report: AI Trends for 2026 and Beyond Part IV: Economic Trends for 2026 and Beyond Strategic Technology Leadership Technology is increasingly central to business strategy and execution. Yet 46% of business leaders are “frustrated” by the limitations of their company’s technology. Under growing scrutiny, IT leaders are expected to deliver deeper impact across their organizations. IT departments must manage complex choices and trade-offs that support competitive advantage. Technologists are expected to deliver value to every department, enabling everything from email support to advanced AI solutions. This puts stress on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) who do not have the financial wherewithal to fund expansive IT departments and lofty budgets. The undercurrent within this narrative is that AI adoption is exploding, and SMB owners and CEOs must bring new skill sets to bear in IT and throughout their organizations if they are going to take advantage of emerging technologies. This shocking McKinsey graphic illustrates the sudden shift in interest and investment, away from emerging technologies such as quantum computing... --- In Part I of our series, we focus on social and workforce trends facing Vistage members in 2026 and beyond. Use this series to consider external forces for your strategic planning process, so your team can make fact-based decisions. Headed into 2026, business leaders face an ever-shifting social landscape. COVID-19 wasn’t just a one-time event; its impact led to several structural changes to our society. Patterns have changed, from where we live to how we work and what we consume. Below, we dive into the key trends likely to shape 2026 and beyond — from a stubborn employee engagement slump to frugal consumers and fluid brand loyalties, with an eye on how each might factor into corporate strategy. Want to get ahead of the curve? Watch Marc Emmer explore Business Trends for 2026 and Beyond in this on-demand webinar. More in this series Part II: Technology Trends for 2026 and Beyond  Part III: Special Report: AI Trends for 2026 and Beyond Part IV: Economic Trends for 2026 and Beyond The ‘No-Hire, No-Fire’ Labor Market After two years of red-hot hiring and musical chairs in the job market, employment is cooling. In the first jobs report since the firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, the U. S. economy added only 75,000 jobs in August, well below what economists expected. Then the BLS shocked markets with a 911,000-downward revision for the period ending in March. Unemployment rose to 4. 3%, up from 50-year lows in 2022. Job openings have... --- The Labour government continues to signal that difficult decisions are ahead. With borrowing costs at a twenty-seven-year high and sluggish growth weighing on the economy, speculation is mounting around tax hikes and National Insurance adjustments. The results of Vistage’s UK SME Confidence Index Q3 2025 have been released. And they reveal a challenging, mixed outlook for business leaders navigating the months ahead.   Confidence has slipped to 88 points, down from 89. 5 in Q2 and well below the 107. 1 recorded in Q3, 2024. Read on for this report’s highlights and a link to download the free report in full. Key findings at a glance Gloomy economic outlook: A striking 61% of CEOs believe economic conditions in the UK and Ireland have worsened compared with this time last year, up 13% from Q2. While fewer than 1 in 10 expect any improvement in the coming 12 months. Budget pessimism: Confidence in the upcoming Autumn Budget to support business growth is notably low, with just over three in four (76%) expressing minimal to no confidence. Revenue resilience: More than half of business leaders (57%) anticipate an increase in their firm’s sales revenues in the next year, even as customer demand shows signs of weakening. The profitability pinch: While optimism for revenue growth remains, 22% of leaders anticipate a decline in profitability, as firms juggle rising costs with softening demand. Bracing for the Autumn Budget As the Autumn Budget approaches, small and medium-sized business leaders across the UK are preparing to... --- Superman might not cut it in today’s business world. Faster than a speeding bullet? More powerful than a locomotive? You’ll need to do better than that just to keep up, let alone to lead. “The speed of business has accelerated beyond any one person’s ability to handle all decisions on their own,” says Marc Koehler, president of Lead With Purpose Inc. and a frequent Vistage speaker. “In the past, we may have had an image in our mind of one superhero leading the entire charge. Today, it’s more like the Avengers, with each member contributing their skill set. ” Agile leadership has swooped in as a leading philosophy in developing future-ready skills for this world of kinetic disruption and innovation. The role of the leader in this collaborative environment is to tap into the team’s collective genius, says Koehler, who gained this insight as a submarine officer in the U. S. Navy under 800 feet of water. “What was taught to me in the Submarine Forces is that the organizations that are going to win are the ones that make the smartest decisions the fastest,” he says. If that sounds like a paradigm shift in conventional leadership strategies, that’s because it is, says MaryAnn Camacho, CEO and Founder of Model Team Enterprises and a trusted Vistage speaker. “We think about prior eras, like the Industrial Revolution, when enormous changes occurred over decades. Today, enormous changes occur within a day. Agile leadership allows you the speed to adjust with your team... --- We conducted an extensive analysis of the top executive coaching firms from March 2024 through August 2025, evaluating 73 companies in the process. We compared them using our proprietary assessment methodology and selected the top 8 to present in the table below. Here are the key factors we considered in our analysis: Leadership Experience Score (25%) – A 1. 0–5. 0 rating representing the quality and depth of the coaching leadership team’s executive experience Program Structure & Methodology (20%) – The comprehensiveness and proven effectiveness of their coaching frameworks Client Company Size Focus (15%) – The typical revenue range and employee count of companies they serve Global Reach (15%) – Number of countries and markets where they provide coaching services Peer Learning Integration (15%) – Whether they incorporate peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities Media References (10%) – Approximate number of news mentions and thought leadership pieces (~) Our team rank-ordered all companies based on these weighted criteria and selected the highest-scoring ones for inclusion in the table below. Following the comparison table, we provide a more detailed analysis of each company along with customer feedback summaries. RankCompanyLeadership Experience ScoreProgram Structure & MethodologyClient Company Size FocusGlobal ReachPeer Learning IntegrationMedia ReferencesSpecialty1Vistage4. 9Structured peer groups + 1:1 coaching$5M–$500M revenue20 countriesYes – Core methodology~2,400CEO peer advisory excellence2Marshall Goldsmith4. 9Behavioral change focusFortune 500+15 countriesLimited~1,800C-suite behavioral transformation3Center for Creative Leadership4. 6Research-based programsMid to large enterprise12 countriesYes – Cohort model~1,200Leadership development research4BetterUp4. 2Digital-first platformStartups to enterprise8 countriesNo~950Tech-enabled executive coaching5Korn Ferry4. 5Assessment-driven approachLarge enterprise25 countriesLimited~2,100Executive search integration6Franklin Covey4.... --- Mere speculation about interest rate cuts led to a boost in small business confidence in September. The WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index rose to 88. 1, the highest level in 8 months. Although the Index remains below the 12-month average, as each month passes, the post-election optimism diminishes from the average, and soon this figure will provide a more accurate view of small business sentiment. Indeed, the rumors of the first interest rate cut in 2025 impacted expectations for the next 12 months, and the actual cuts that were implemented following the survey should further bolster confidence. As noted last month, more permanent tax rates provide small business leaders with greater certainty for the future. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will result in significant cost savings that small business leaders can leverage to invest in their businesses. However, the drivers behind the rise in small business confidence in September were not related to improving economic sentiment; in fact, economic sentiment mainly remained unchanged. Instead, small businesses are optimistic about their own prospects and have positive plans for growth. A greater proportion of small business leaders expect increased revenues and profits in the coming 12 months. And contrary to data showing that job growth is slowing, an increasing number of small businesses plan to add personnel over the next 12 months. The proportion of small business leaders who plan to increase their total number of employees surpassed 50% for the first time since January, while those... --- Steven Robertson is an internationally acclaimed author, a recognized keynote speaker and a respected executive with 30+ years’ experience consulting for A-list clients. And his mentor is 24. Robertson is one of a growing number of business leaders currently challenging the traditional notion of mentorship. Invigorated dyads of seasoned professionals and more recent (often younger) hires are engaging in “reverse mentoring,” redefining mentorship as a fancy word for “relationship” — one built on trust, expertise and sharing. “Whenever you hold someone accountable, that’s mentoring,” says Robertson, whose mentor, Jack, is holding him accountable to conceptualize and execute a new app for his corporate consulting company, Bold Training. “Jack says, ‘Steve, where you are today is great, but I know where you could be tomorrow, and I’m not going to stop until you get there. ’ It’s gold. ” This type of relationship harnesses today’s multigenerational, diverse workforce to spark innovation, shape workplace culture and drive business growth, says Dr. Andrea “Andi” Simon, Founder and CEO of Simon Associates. “Reverse mentoring is a methodology that opens minds to each other and builds bonds,” she says. “It creates a culture of true intimacy and inclusiveness. ” Former GE CEO Jack Welch is often credited with creating the concept of reverse mentorship in 1999, when he paired junior employees with the top brass to improve executives’ comfort level with the newfangled “World Wide Web. ” Like the internet itself, reverse mentorship has evolved into something limitless and indispensable. It brings underrepresented voices to... --- Think back to the best team you’ve ever been on. Maybe it was a sports team, a work project, or even a volunteer group. Chances are, it wasn’t just about the people being smart, skilled, or well-organized. What really made it different was this: there was an experience of what happened to one, happened to all. In other words, there was a shared fate. Having a real and meaningful shared fate on a team is what separates the teams that pull together and perform under pressure and adversity versus those that fracture and fail to perform. It is also the ingredient most teams inside organizations are missing. The Problem with the Way Most Organizations Are Structured Most organizations today are structured in a very hierarchical and siloed structure. We learn to structure our organizations like this in the early 1900s when companies started to scale and we had to figure out how to organize them. This model is actually based on the military, where the generals (CEOs) are at the top thinking, officers (middle managers) are in the middle doing the telling, and the soldiers (front line employees) are at the bottom doing what they are told. It is the middle manager’s responsibility to “hold the soldiers accountable” to make sure they do what they are told. In this model, accountability flows upward. Employees spend more energy worrying about what the boss thinks than what the customer needs. People cover their own backs instead of covering each other’s. Participants avoid... --- https://youtu. be/US07qGlEwl8 In this webinar, 2024 Vistage Speaker of the Year Kathleen Quinn Votaw delivers an energetic and transformative presentation on the art of selecting top talent. Her unique approach to the science and strategy of interviewing has captivated audiences in and outside of Vistage, with one attendee declaring, “This is by far my favorite session that I’ve attended since I’ve joined Vistage 10 months ago! ” Kathleen explores the formula for selecting top talent, and her engaging style makes complex concepts easy to understand and come to life. Learn how to create a productive interview process that reveals authentic candidates. Discover practical techniques to assess cultural fit while building a strategic hiring process. Gain immediate, actionable steps to transform your selection process using proven techniques. Access practical interview tools and guides that can immediately improve hiring outcomes. Related Resources Precision Interviewing Guide TalenTrust Resource Center for Vistage members with behavior-based interview questions About the presenter Kathleen Quinn Votaw is Founder and CEO of TalenTrust and KQV Speaks. She is the author of two books, “Solve the People Puzzle: How High-Growth Companies Attract and Retain Top Talent” (2016) and “Dare to Care in the Workplace: A Guide to the New Way We Work” (2021), with a related podcast launched simultaneously. Kathleen and her firm have achieved recognition from numerous media and professional organizations, including ColoradoBiz Magazine, Vistage Worldwide, Top 100 Women-Owned Companies, 2020 Enterprising Women of the Year, and the coveted Inc. 5000 for two consecutive years. Kathleen is a... --- What happens when Seth Godin, one of the world’s most original business thinkers, challenges CEOs to rethink everything they know about strategy? In an exclusive hour-long session with Vistage members, the bestselling author and entrepreneur redefined what it means to lead in a world shaped by uncertainty and accelerated change. Guided by Vistage Vice President of Research Anne Petrik, the conversation spanned the evolution of strategy, the limits of traditional marketing, and the responsibility leaders have to choose significance over scale. Drawing on key insights from his many books, Godin didn’t offer easy answers. Instead, he provided a lens through which high-performing leaders can sharpen their thinking and act with greater intent. https://vimeo. com/1106557411? share=copy Lead the Tribe — Don’t Wait for One In today’s crowded marketplace, most leaders are taught to “build an audience. ” But Seth Godin argues that’s the wrong starting point. The truth? The tribe already exists. What it needs is a leader. “There are already clubs, but they need leaders. They need to be connected and challenged,” he says. “What they’re really hungry for is someone who cares enough to help them get where they want to go. ” From wine connoisseurs to professionals in tightly knit industries, people naturally organize around shared values. Godin’s challenge to leaders is to raise a flag, create belonging, and build something others would miss if it disappeared. Watch this 1:42 clip to learn how CEOs can go beyond selling products to building purpose, and why the most irreplaceable... --- As much as the workplace has evolved over the last decade, the challenge of balancing AI and productivity alongside workforce dynamics remains as old as time. For as long as humanity has existed, there has been a spectrum of work ethic. At one end sit the boisterous and ambitious “go-getters,” while the disengaged and rarely responsive “quiet quitters” sit at the other. However, all too often, the critical mass who are positioned squarely in the middle are overlooked. Take Note of the ‘Quiet Workers’ These middle employees are what I like to call “quiet workers,” the dependable, heads-down, no-hysterics, drama-free employees. They may not be a company’s top performers or chasing the C-Suite, but they are also far from laggards. Because they are neither flashy nor problematic, it can be easy to overlook their contributions; however, the reality is that “quiet workers” are the backbone of every company. They are the people getting the lion’s share of the work done each day, and ultimately, that makes them the force moving business forward. Every organization needs those who show up each day ready to complete their role to the best of their ability. This dynamic is evolving even more rapidly with the emergence of artificial intelligence. The relationship between AI and productivity is already driving significant, measurable improvements. As those gains in efficiency continue to gain momentum, “quiet quitters” have fewer places to hide, and the most ambitious are unlocking new ways to get even further ahead, creating an even bigger... --- 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the development of Brian Mayne’s Goal Mapping system. It’s a system for which Brian has won numerous global awards, reaching over six million people worldwide, and which now has more than 1,600 people certified to teach it. It’s a system that Brian will be sharing in his Vistage workshop on November 26th. Brian’s career history demonstrates the success of the Goal Mapping system. “I was born into the two oldest UK circus families”, he says. “I travelled constantly with the funfairs as a child, I left school when I was 13, and I didn’t learn to read or write – partly because of the travelling, partly because of my dyslexia. ” At the age of 18, Brian became the youngest disco licensee in the UK. At 19, he opened a disco on the Isle of Wight that was incredibly successful for 13 years.   By the age of 29, however, life had taken a very different turn. Brian’s house had been repossessed, his marriage had fallen apart, and he was a million pounds in debt. “It was all down to the start of English people taking their holidays in the Mediterranean”, he says. “The price of air travel had dropped, and people wanted to go to Europe instead of the Isle of Wight. It was terrifying: I’d only ever worked for my dad, I had no qualifications or work experience, and I couldn’t read or write. ” Brian pursued a career in direct sales.... --- We analyzed 47 leadership development programs serving CEOs and executive teams, evaluating them against measurable criteria for business impact and long-term outcomes. When you’re responsible for leading a company or developing executive talent, you need programs that deliver measurable results rather than theoretical concepts. We examined programs based on their ability to drive actual business outcomes, provide accountability structures and enable long-term leadership transformation. Our analysis shows that the most effective leadership development programs combine expert facilitation and peer learning with structured accountability systems. Below are the top 8 programs that consistently produce results for leaders and organizations. Ranking Criteria We evaluated leadership development programs using 5 critical factors that determine real-world effectiveness: Business Impact Measurement (30%): Programs must demonstrate quantifiable improvements in business performance, revenue growth and decision-making quality through member outcomes and third-party validation. Peer Learning Quality (20%): The caliber and relevance of fellow participants directly impact learning quality. Programs with carefully vetted, revenue-matched peers provide more valuable insights and networking. Expert Facilitation (20%): Professional guidance from experienced practitioners with real P&L responsibility creates better outcomes than peer-led or academic-only approaches. Accountability Systems (15%): Effective programs include structured goal-setting, progress tracking and follow-through mechanisms that ensure participants implement what they learn rather than just consume information. Sustained Engagement Model (15%): Long-term development requires ongoing interaction rather than one-time events. Programs that offer continuous support and foster relationship-building produce lasting transformation. Top Leadership Development Programs for 2025 RankProgramBusiness ImpactPeer QualityExpert FacilitationAccountabilitySustained EngagementTotal Score1Vistage30/3020/2020/2015/1515/15100/1002Stanford Executive Program26/3018/2019/2011/1510/1584/1003Harvard Business School Executive Education25/3019/2018/2011/159/1582/1004Center... --- Editor’s Note: As part of our ongoing CEO Health and Wellness coverage, we invited Mark Taylor (center), a Vistage Master Chair in New York and recipient of the 2022 Don Cope Memorial Award, to share this personal story. Twenty-four years ago, I sat at the helm of the Taylor Systems Engineering Corporation, watching the clock tick through another orderless day. It had been 60 days since 9/11 stopped the world cold, and the silence of our phones was deafening. The air in my office felt heavier with every layoff, every decision carved from fear. Then came the Vistage meeting, my escape. Walt Sutton stood before us, his voice steady, painting a picture of the invisible backpack every CEO straps on the day they start a business; a pack crammed with worry, risk, and the crushing weight of responsibility. His words hit like a punch to the chest. For the first time, I realized how bent my back had become. Mark (left) before his “wake-up call” I hadn’t slept the night before. I was running on two lattes, anxious about an upcoming trade show, and doing what many CEOs do best: powering through exhaustion. Then it hit me. My heart started racing. My chest tightened. Something felt seriously wrong. But I didn’t say a word. I told myself, “Don’t make a scene. ” I had a dinner meeting that night. A flight to catch. Calls to make. So I walked out quietly, got in my car, and drove 80 miles per... --- There are just some leaders who stand out among their peers. It’s not just their education or industry experience. It’s their mindset, habits, and goal-setting strategies. What the best CEOs do is engineer success by crafting and communicating a clear, compelling vision, committing to ongoing learning, and making data-driven decisions. “Future leaders can try to replicate what top CEOs do because there are some repeatable characteristics, systems and disciplines that people can learn from,” says Vistage Chair Heather Anderson, founder of Leading Challenges. “They’ve established a process and know and can articulate what they have done to be successful. ” Learning from the top 1% of CEOs can help you elevate your leadership style, too. However, it’s essential to define what makes an elite leader before attempting to replicate their success. “I see business leaders who think, because of the revenue they’ve generated or the wealth they’ve amassed, that they’re a good leader,” says Jimmy Blackmon, U. S. Army Colonel (Ret. ), author and a Vistage speaker. “Revenue doesn’t indicate the effectiveness of leadership. To me, an elite leader has the behaviors and traits that allow them or enable them to teach, coach and mentor other aspiring leaders. ” Here are 7 things the best CEOs do differently and tips for how you can elevate your leadership. 1. Crafting and Communicating an Inspiring Vision Exceptional CEOs understand the importance of crafting and communicating an inspiring vision. They know that it’s more than a lofty statement spoken at all-hands meetings or... --- Editor’s Note: This is part of an ongoing series examining generative AI and its continuing impact on the business world. In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) has emerged as a transformative force, reshaping industries and redefining operational paradigms. It offers unprecedented opportunities for organizations to enhance efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness. For CEOs and business leaders, the imperative is clear: to harness the full potential of Gen AI, a meticulously crafted learning program is essential. Such a program must address the diverse needs of the workforce, ensuring that employees are not only knowledgeable but also proficient in applying Gen AI tools within their specific roles. As Gen AI adoption accelerates, training programs must prioritize relevance, accessibility, and equity to ensure maximum impact. Here are a few ways CEOs can ensure their organizations quickly and fully adopt Gen AI. 1. Tailor Learning Content to Specific Roles to Use Gen AI A common issue with universal training approaches is that they often fall short in addressing the unique requirements of different roles within an organization. To maximize Gen AI adoption and its potential impact, it’s crucial to develop role-specific learning modules that align with the distinct responsibilities and expertise levels of employees. This targeted strategy ensures that each team acquires the relevant knowledge and skills pertinent to their function within the organization, driving both efficiency and innovation. For instance, in a law firm setting, attorneys might focus on leveraging Gen AI for legal research, contract analysis, and drafting... --- Lorraine McDonnell knows how to push limits.   A keynote speaker, single parent of three, and the only combined Sundoor Firewalking and Level 2 Wim Hof Method Instructor in the UK, Lorraine has made it her mission to help leaders build mental resilience and unlock their full potential. Her philosophy is that the biggest barriers leaders face are the ones they create in their own minds. “The limitations we feel are just perceptions and self-sabotaging beliefs,” she says. “But when we think we’re challenged to the max, we’re actually only at about 40% of what we can achieve. ” At CEO Connect this October, Lorraine will lead an exploration of resilience, mindfulness, and the mindset shifts that enable leaders to push past their self limiting beliefs and unlock the remaining 60% of their potential. “It’s about helping guide leaders past their limits, fears, and obstacles. ” Turning fear into focus Self-sabotating beliefs are part of being human. Everyone has them. But not everyone chooses to listen to them. And, for Lorraine, it’s that choice to push through that fear and self-doubt that leads to real results.   “The Andy Murrays of tennis and the Mo Farahs of long-distance running all have something entrepreneurs want to harness: Unwavering self-belief,” she explains. “They don’t hesitate. They don’t doubt themselves. It’s that degree of hyper-focusedness. ” But how do you get there? Lorraine is the only combined Sundoor Firewalking and Level 2 Wim Hof Method Instructor in the UK, and has built a... --- “Uncertainty” is the word on the minds of most small and midsize business executives in 2025. A plethora of policy decisions, decelerating job growth, and rising inflation due to tariffs have led countless leaders to worry about an economic downturn and question the direction of their businesses. Nearly two-thirds of small business owners cite economic uncertainty as their primary concern, according to the National Small Business Association (NSBA). Each year, the NSBA surveys small business owners about the state of their companies, their views on the current economy, and their confidence in future growth. The NSBA Small Business Economic Report found 59% of leaders worried about economic uncertainty — the highest percentage in 13 years. Respondents were asked to identify the three most significant challenges to the future growth and survival of their business. Following economic uncertainty were U. S. political instability (36%), a decline in customer spending (33%), inflation (26%) and tariffs on foreign goods (22%). In times of economic downturn and uncertainty, strong leadership is critical to the ongoing sustainability of a business. Employees look to their leaders for guidance and confidence, particularly during times of angst. Leaders who can use clear communication to build trust and reduce anxiety in their organization can not only be effective at navigating an economic downturn, but they can also turn challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth. “Communication is key all the time, especially during times of uncertainty,” says Larry O’Toole, CEO and founder of Yosemite Associates, LLC. “Leaders have to... --- The demands of leadership are relentless, and, increasingly, CEOs and business leaders are recognizing that performance at the top starts with personal well-being. The health of an organization often mirrors the health of its leader. Our latest research confirms the growing attention on wellness in the C-suite: almost 70% of CEOs admit feeling burned out regularly, with nearly a quarter experiencing it frequently or nearly every day. While leaders recognize the critical role health plays in sustaining their performance, many still struggle to prioritize it consistently amid the demands of leadership and the ever-present “always on” culture. To support leaders in building sustainable habits that enhance both personal performance and business outcomes, Vistage has created this resource center. Here, you’ll find actionable insights, strategies from trusted experts, and stories from fellow CEOs who are navigating their own health journeys. Our latest piece from Vistage Research explores why focusing on CEO health and wellness is imperative for leaders. To help with your CEO health and wellness goals, we have curated: New Resources from Vistage Partners Insights from Trusted Sources My Vistage Networks & Conversations Expert Speakers, Webinars, and Events Third-Party Perspectives New Resources from Vistage Partners As part of our investment in the performance of our members, Vistage has partnered with the organizations below to offer exclusive benefits. Learn more from the links below. (Note: These resources require a My Vistage password. ) Recharge Your Leadership at Canyon Ranch A Michelin-rated experience, Canyon Ranch offers plans and retreats designed to help... --- When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, it brought unprecedented uncertainty, including a break in a 10-year run of economic stability. CEOs had become accustomed to a relatively consistent and predictable business environment; they knew what to expect and how to plan for it. However, the pandemic ushered in a new era marked by rapid disruption, unpredictability, and the accompanying uncertainty. Looking back at Q2 2020, Vistage’s quarterly survey tracking CEO sentiment suddenly dropped 19. 2 points from the previous quarter. A state of uncertainty and fear left many CEOs frozen in place while the specter of a sci-fi pathogen loomed. As the pandemic continued to fluctuate for years, the Index experienced significant volatility. It whipsawed from its Q2 2020 low to a peak just four quarters later, only to plunge back down exactly a year later and subsequently bottom out at the low end of its range. After remaining relatively stable — albeit sluggish — it peaked again last December with the entry of a new administration into the Oval Office, only to reverse its gains when the federal government introduced its “on again, off again” tariffs and trade policy changes in Q1 2025. The Rising Cost of CEO Burnout in an Unstable Landscape Over the last five years, CEOs have been forced to navigate uncertainty and become at one with rapid change. They’ve had to throw out every book on business and reimagine what success looks like and how to achieve it. Over time, this prolonged state of... --- My Coaching Journey I recently hit 25 years of being a Chair and it’s understandably given me some chance to reflect on everything that’s been wonderful and how some things differ from my early expectations. In April 2000 I started running meetings with groups of CEOs and also my coaching journey with 121s began. To say I was nervous is an understatement and I was sceptical as to whether my business experience would be relevant for many of my members who ran very different types of organisations than I had. I have since learnt that most challenges are around money or people in one form or another . I also thought that to prove my worth I would need to be able to offer key nuggets of advice and navigate my way around problems I didn’t really understand, like the heavy industrial manufacturer who had a dilemma around which expensive new machine to invest in. At the heart of my coaching is a belief that usually the person you are helping knows the answer to their dilemma and it is my job to ask the right questions, feed back observations and challenge limiting beliefs. There are occasions when you may have very specific experience of a highly specialised nature where it may be appropriate to share and be more directive (my example is always if a building is on fire and I am with someone who knows the way out I don’t want coaching towards the exit) Mostly we do... --- After July’s modest boost in confidence, the WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Confidence Index dropped slightly in August to 85. 0. Beneath this relative stability, however, lies a growing undercurrent of uncertainty, driven by shifting policy signals and unanswered questions about the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Nearly half of small business leaders report that their economic uncertainty has grown in the last few months. Simply scanning headlines of tariffs, trade, and other legislation reveals plenty of unknowns. Even the OBBBA, with its major tax provisions, has been slow to gain positive traction. Tariff Impacts While confidence dipped only slightly in August, uncertainty remains high as businesses prepare for potential changes and the implementation of new tariff policies. Some leaders are absorbing higher costs, while others are passing them on to customers. “A few of our vendors have raised their prices on certain items due to tariffs. We have just passed along the cost to our customers,” says Guillermo Arrieta, President of GA Flooring in Highland Park, New Jersey. Bob Pilon, CEO of Dynamic Tub, Inc. in Maquoketa, Iowa, notes that they have implemented a “120% pass-through of all international tariff charges,” a stark example of how quickly cost pressures can escalate. Other small business leaders report that projects are stalling. Delayed capital investments and client hesitancy to move forward underscore the domino effect of policy uncertainty within specific industries. Even for those not making immediate changes, the possibility of shifting tariff policy continues to shape decisions, prompting... --- Bob Prosen likes to say he has a superpower. It may not be a sexy superhero trait like flying or x-ray vision, but it’s a skill any CEO or business leader should admire. Prosen makes complex problems simple so companies can make faster, better decisions. That same approach is helpful when developing action plans to improve leadership skills. “In business, when you try to implement something complicated, it’s very difficult, and every CEO would tell you that,” says Prosen, CEO of The Prosen Center for Business Advancement. “What we should do is break it down into some very basic things to get done. ” Prosen’s philosophy works not only for business growth, but for personal development as well. Leaders should have practical, structured action plans to improve leadership skills and grow personally and professionally. Whether you’re a first-time CEO or an experienced leader, having a well-defined plan can enhance your ability to navigate challenges, align leadership development with organizational goals, and drive meaningful change. Developing that action plan may sound complex, but by taking Prosen’s philosophy to simplify the complex, leaders can quickly discover opportunities to learn and grow — all while pushing their company forward. “One of the best ways to achieve goals is to actually set them,” says Barbara Trautlein, principal at Change Catalysts. “We all have very good intentions about what we’re going to accomplish, but so often the urgent takes precedence over the important, so if we have a structured action plan ... (there’s) just a... --- https://youtu. be/ql1rC0ZBhOQ In a time of economic uncertainty and shifting policy landscapes, the 7th annual “Vistage on the Hill” event brought clarity, connection and conviction to Washington, D. C. This flagship gathering unites Vistage Member Excellence Award winners from across the country and industries with the policy experts at the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, the leading advocacy group for the nation’s businesses. This event is more than policy briefings — it’s a two-way exchange. Members bring real-world insights from the front lines, so Chamber policy experts can take those perspectives and push pro-business policy with lawmakers. Chamber experts, in turn, offer updates on legislation that directly impacts operations, investments and workforce decisions. Download the 2025 report. (My Vistage login required) This year’s session was especially timely, unfolding amid heightened economic uncertainty and a growing demand for policy stability. “The Chamber listens to all sorts of constituents,” says Sam Reese, CEO of Vistage Worldwide. “But what’s so important about listening to our members is that they are high-integrity leaders. They’re worried about taking care of their families, their communities, and their businesses — all at the same time. They are the people who are the backbone of our country and best situated to share the brutal facts. ” That sentiment echoed throughout Vistage on the Hill. CEOs spoke candidly about the challenges they face — from tariffs and tax policy to AI and small business policy — and how these issues affect hiring decisions, capital investments, and long-term growth strategies.... --- The world’s best CEOs don’t just lead — they train. They approach leadership the same way elite athletes approach competition: with discipline, focus and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement. In fact, how CEOs train like elite athletes says a lot about their leadership success. These top-performing executives don’t wait for challenges to arise. They prepare for them — mentally, physically and strategically. Vistage CEO Sam Reese during his All-American days. As a former All-American distance runner at the University of Colorado Boulder, I learned that mindset and preparation are the key to the difference between merely showing up and truly excelling. When an injury ended my athletic career, I had to rebuild — an experience many CEOs face when disruption strikes. What stuck with me from the track to the boardroom was this: peak performance doesn’t happen by chance. It’s built through daily, deliberate effort. That’s exactly how top CEOs lead — and why they perform like elite athletes. Based on my experience as both a competitive athlete and a CEO working with high-performing leaders around the world, here are 5 ways CEOs can train like elite athletes to lead at their best. 1. Set Personal Goals Like You’re in Training Camp Great CEOs don’t leave growth to chance. They treat each week like an athlete entering training camp — focused, intentional, and goal-driven. One of the most powerful pieces of advice I ever received came from my high school track coach, Bob Brown: “Pick a goal at the... --- When Craig Weber consults with a company trying to adopt agile talent management, he first works to understand the organization’s existing patterns of communication. Often, those patterns make it difficult for teams to work together at any pace, let alone with agility. At a Silicon Valley company, Weber — a Vistage speaker for over 26 years, and author of Conversational Capacity — interviewed the team and was told that the company employed no “jerks. ” Everyone got along well, they told him, but there was a downside: no one was willing to raise challenging issues. Executives of the company, during a period of explosive growth and while preparing for an IPO, soon discovered that essential topics were not being addressed because no one wanted to become the team’s first “jerk. ” Another company Weber visited, a social work nonprofit in New York City, had the opposite problem. Everyone always brought up difficult topics, they told Weber, and every conversation became argumentative. When they received a new referral for business, the organization had to send it to another organization, sabotaging itself over its inability to communicate well and work with agility. “In both of these circumstances, the way people engage with each other is working against why they’re working together,” Weber says. If conversational capacity is low, there is no way to implement an agile management strategy that works. Agile talent management requires the ability to communicate well, trust employees to do their work well and pivot quickly when needed, according... --- AI adoption in business is no longer a distant prospect for the future. It is here, and leaders need to focus on leveraging its full potential to remain relevant. Just like knowledge workers, CEOs need to take the lead. The noise of tariffs, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical issues has drowned out the steady rise of generative AI in the workplace. Since ChatGPT first became available to the public in 2022, working professionals and organizations have rapidly transitioned from being cautious to becoming full-on adopters, signaling the rise of AI adoption in business. From Individual Productivity to AI Adoption in Business Indeed, Vistage’s Q1 2025 CEO Confidence Index survey revealed that 7 out of 10 CEOs are now actively using generative AI in their roles. Similarly, 2 in 5 (41%) of organizations have a generative AI license or subscription. So while Generative AI is, first and foremost, a tool for fueling individual productivity, it’s also becoming an organizational resource and a core part of AI adoption in business. Leaders are increasingly focused on educating their workforces on when and how to safely and responsibly use AI within company policy. As of March 2025, nearly half (47%) of CEOs reported they are training their workforce on AI, a sharp increase from 32% in Q2 of 2024. Why Some CEOs Lag Behind But what about the other 53% of CEOs who are not actively training their workforce on AI? Perhaps they are experiencing AI fatigue, as the novelty of AI has worn off.... --- Sarah Furness spent 21 years as a helicopter pilot and squadron leader in the Royal Air Force. “Leading operational combat tours of up to 120 people in places like Afghanistan and Iraq gave me a strong foundation in terms of performance, resilience and leadership”, she says. “It didn’t take me long to realise that those are things that a lot of people want to learn more about. ”  After leaving, Sarah began to explore mindfulness as a way to handle the strong emotions and inner battles she faced. “Once you become aware of your own narrative, you start to become more aware of other people’s”, she continues. “You can see how everyone’s just sort of putting a brave face on for a lot of things. ” Sarah trained as a mindfulness coach and cognitive therapist, but she realised early on that people were more keen to hear about the military than mindfulness. “They wanted to know how my military career had helped me perform and lead under pressure and deal with stress”, she explains. “I began to pull out the mindfulness and mindset techniques that were embedded in our military training”.   However, Sarah is turning some of her military training on its head. “When I first applied to be an RAF pilot, I had to take a multitasking aptitude test”, she explains. “Multitasking is often seen as a badge of honour when it comes to productivity, but this shouldn’t be the case. ” Instead, Sarah favours a uni-tasking approach:... --- In today’s fast-paced world, the pressure to succeed professionally and personally leaves many of us in a constant state of stress. For CEOs and other top executives, this burden is even heavier. Responsible not only for their own performance but also for that of their organization and employees, leaders are increasingly facing the toll of chronic stress. Understanding Chronic Stress and Stress Sensitivity The stress response is a natural evolutionary adaptation designed to help us respond to immediate threats. But when this response is activated continuously, as it is in modern life, we develop a condition known as stress sensitivity. This means we start overreacting to everyday situations that aren’t truly dangerous, often worrying about things that haven’t even happened. Technology doesn’t help. With smartphones and the internet, we’re always plugged in — always “on. ” In fact, a recent Vistage survey found that CEOs struggle to fully disconnect even when on vacation. Chronic stress impacts not only mental well-being but also physical health, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, sleep problems, and more. Why Exercise Helps Manage CEO Stress Exercise is one of the most effective ways to combat the effects of stress, but not all exercise is created equal when it comes to calming the mind. While high-intensity workouts offer many benefits, stress-relief exercises for CEOs are most effective when they promote mindfulness and relaxation. Here are some of the best techniques to incorporate into your routine: 1. Moving Meditation: Walking, Running, Cycling Repetitive, rhythmic... --- ---