Michael Strickland Blog

The right leadership program takes you one step ahead in your career. Unfortunately, not every program in the industry suits the specific needs of an individual and does not necessarily deliver the desired results. You will use much consideration and care to ensure that the right program is chosen.

Think Beyond Inspirational Speeches

Leadership training programs must not be designed as a process that imparts information about industry leaders. Programs should not involve talking about what motivates others. Instead, it should focus on getting members of the program down to the field to discover themselves and their aptitude for leadership.

An On-Going Process That Offers Access to Other Resources

Leadership programs must not end after a few hours of classroom learning. The program must feature opportunities for business networking, communication with others leaders, workshop participation, and access to resources. For example, conferences, webinars, and global communities like Vistage in Louisville.

Peer Groups From Across Diverse Business Backgrounds

Peer groups are better when it comes to identifying the real problems and finding the potential solutions rather than relying on case studies and theoretical content. They help in setting up a better context and may also develop into a source of inherent accountability. Therefore these programs must focus on bringing peer groups from across different backgrounds together.

Apart from these qualities, the worthiness of a program can be assessed through factors like promotion rates, engagement scores, and retention rate of leaders.

Vistage CEO Peer group in Louisville seeking a few good leaders

If you are a Business Owner or CEO Managing partner, you are literally in the decision business. Often it’s a lonely the buck stops with you world.  There are many choices for seeking advice when you need, it but it is usually difficult to find the right guidance to sort through the toughest business challenges and opportunities you face every day.

Imagine a room filled with a diverse range of industries and backgrounds in a private and intimate setting ready to help you. No hidden agendas, only smart men and women who run successful businesses. The group digs deep and tells you not what you want to hear, but challenges your thinking. No fluff, just real issues and real results.

Not Networking but Actually Working on Your Business With Others That Have Been There and Done That

• Monthly problem-solving sessions with a peer team of chief executives, presidents and business owners.
• In-person leadership coaching session with a Vistage Chair, an accountability that someone at your level usually does not have.
• Professionally facilitated peer groups with a seasoned Vistage Chair.
• Small intimate workshop by national Vistage expert speakers.
• Connectivity resources, including an online best practices library, webinars and member conferences.
• Access to the Vistage global community of more than 21,000 business leaders.

Research Verifies That Your Company Could Grow 3 X Faster

Research has revealed that companies that joined a Vistage group average three times the growth rate of average U.S. companies. Get the advice to tackle challenges head on, break through restraints, and put groundbreaking best practice ideas into action with confidence. Ultimately improving your decisions and business results.

Work on Your Business with CEO’s, Executives and Owners Just like You

Get feedback on your toughest decisions from the most effective sounding board — fellow leaders who have met and overcome the same challenges. This mature Vistage Group provides you with information, perspective, and sound advice to see beyond the day-to-day operations and focus on what’s truly critical — the strategic decisions that will grow your business.

Vistage is an Invitation Only membership organization but welcomes talent and no competitors may join.

 About Michael Strickland

Michael Strickland, a former business owner, speaker and national growth consultant is a seasoned Vistage Chair who works with successful CEOs, Business Owners, and Key Executives  in the Louisville, KY metro area who have a strong desire to grow personally and professionally. Vistage Groups are confidential, invitation-only peer advisory boards that seek out the most successful members possible. For potential members who live outside of Louisville KY, please visit Download the Why Vistage Discussion. If you live in the Louisville KY area, and you want to find out more about joining a mature Business group, please email Michael at Michael.strickland@vistagechair.com.

Vistage Chair Michael Strickland Launches New Private Advisory Board for Small Businesses in Louisville

San Diego, October 6, 2015— Vistage Chair Michael Strickland has recently launched a new small business group in the Louisville, KY market. The new Vistage members will meet monthly to discuss business issues, share expertise, and provide one another confidential help to achieve their goals. Michael Strickland is part of a community of more than 800 Chairs worldwide who lead local area groups, which total more than 20,000 members in 16 countries.

Vistage Regional Executive Rob Knauer applauded his success: “Michael, congratulations on the successful launch of your third Vistage group and the first SB group in the Commonwealth of Kentucky! As everyone knows, launching a new group is no easy undertaking. Michael’s experience of coaching small businesses and having been a small business owner himself makes this a perfect fit for the Small Business Peer Group he has put together. Great work Michael, we know that with you as their leader, your new members are in for a great Vistage peer group experience.”

For over 20 years, Michael has invested well over 15,000 hours consulting, advising and working directly with CEOs and business owners helping them take their business to the next level. First as a financial executive, followed by a business owner and now a Vistage Chair. His role primarily involved strategic consulting, growth strategies, operational execution, and financial management of these companies. I have been a leadership mentor and CEO adviser since 2008 for small and large businesses in the Louisville area. My typical clients represent over $800M in gross revenue and more than 1000 employees. Michael has a BS in Business from Western Kentucky University and served the U.S. during the Viet Nam Conflict. Over the course of his career, he has had the privilege to help lead many business units and business leaders and is truly humbled to partner with Vistage to continue his passion.

About Vistage International

Founded in 1957 and headquartered in San Diego, California, Vistage assembles and facilitates private advisory boards for CEOs, senior executives and business owners. Vistage members participate in monthly, Chair-led private advisory board meetings. More than 20,000 members in 16 countries also have access to one-to-one executive coaching, expert speakers, and our global network of business leaders.