Tom Cuthbert
Nebulosities Kill Clarity

Nebulosities create a lack of clarity in our communication. They contribute to vagueness and ambiguity. They’re the language of “saying things indirectly.” We may think we’re getting our point across without being too aggressive. Instead, we make it a cloud of words. Often times, they come to a different conclusion.

Nebulosities Kill Clarity
Leadership, Communication
Tom Cuthbert
Companies Break in the Middle

After spending over 1,000 hours per year with CEO’s I have an observation, companies break in the middle.

Hold a stick with both hands at each end. Your right hand is the CEO, your left hand is the front-line employee. Everything in between is the middle. Now bend the stick…until it breaks.

The break will happen somewhere in the middle. No matter the strength of the branch, it will break with the right amount of pressure. This is why it is so important to pay attention to the middle.


Companies Break in the Middle
Tom Cuthbert
2020 Book of the Year
2020 Book of the Year
Tom Cuthbert
Pitbull is Right

These are stressful times with hard decisions and long days. For many of our members, this is the first economic downturn they have faced. This is my sixth downturn and... I believe that we will win.

Pitbull is Right
Tom Cuthbert
2019 Book of the Year

I read (and listened) to 24 fantastic books in 2019.  Most of them were business related, personal growth or pure entertainment.  I rate books based on impact to me and add bonus points if I reread it. The 2019 nominees are:

2019 Book of the Year

cnbc

Flat Out, The Best Show on TV: The Profit

I love business.  I've enjoyed a 30 year career of working in, starting and growing companies.   So it shouldn't be any surprise that I am a fan of the new CNBC show, "The Profit" with Marcus Lemonis.  But how do you explain my 17 year old son loving it?!

The Apprentice began a trend of glamorizing and dramatically over simplifying business for entertainment sake.  Shark Tank (a show I enjoy) has made venture capital cool and more easily understood by the masses. But the difference between being a successful entrepreneur and a successful business person is one word... execution.  The Profit aligns the two in an entertaining and educational way and the result is a great show!

I recently connected with Marcus on LinkedIn and sent the following note, "Congrats on the success of the show.  More importantly, thanks for presenting a business reality show that is "real world".  My 17 year old son finally understands what I do with Vistage!  The episodes have fostered discussions around business principles, turnaround strategy and why people come first.  Your show is about executing as an entrepreneur, not just the more glamorous idea aspect!  Great work."

I recommend you check out The Profit on CNBC Tuesday nights.  Be sure when you do, you plop your kid down next to you.  They will complain at first, it's not sports or a sitcom.  But perhaps after a few minutes, the challenges, fun and importance of running a business will resonate with them as well.  It's a great conversation starter that could lead to developing a future leader.