Jim's Story

“I was the Managing Director of a company I had worked in for 27 years before moving to my current role. Recognising the challenges I would likely face in a new industry and privately owned business, I knew I would need the support of others to do my job effectively."

As the leader in the business, the team can often assume you are fearless and brave; someone with all the answers! That’s certainly not always the case! It is also quite likely, at some point, you are going to have to make some tough decisions. This is where the strength of the Vistage network really helps. Having an independent set of eyes and ears, to guide and support you, is invaluable in helping you get those decisions right.

Meeting the chair

I first met Laura Gordon, chair of Vistage group V40, a few months into my new role. Engaging, thoughtful and straight-talking, Laura wasted no time in telling me how Vistage, with its 1-1 coaching, Vistage speaker events, and peer-to-peer members’ group, could help. The fact the group met in Glasgow was helpful for me. We have a strong presence in Glasgow, but I work mainly in Aberdeen. I did not know any of the Vistage Glasgow group but that did not matter; in fact it was very refreshing.

Finding out about Vistage when I did was great timing. Within my first year at SPACE Solutions, I had a number of challenges that I was able to work through with my peers - all of whom have different businesses, personalities, leadership styles and experiences. The advice and opinions you get from your peers when you present a business problem - known as ‘issue processing’ - either helps to reinforce or challenge your thinking or it gives you a completely different slant. Some of it you take forward, some of it you don’t, but none of it is wasted!

“Having an independent set of eyes and ears, to guide and support you, is invaluable”

Staying relevant

I have been asked why I need such a support network when I have been in a senior role for several years - surely I know it all by now! But you live and learn all the time, and you can’t do what you don’t know. You are a product of your training, personality and experiences and I know from conversations with my peers that even the briefest of chats can reframe things. There’s no substitute for getting out and exposing yourself to different ideas, opportunities and opinions.

Vistage is also not just about the business, but about becoming a better person, a more rounded leader and feeling fulfilled. For me, one of the key benefits of the member days is that it takes you off the hamster wheel for a bit and enables you to take a helicopter view of yourself and business. That can positively change your thinking.

The Vistage speakers also help to give you a different perspective, as do my 1-1s with Laura which she always delivers with a smile. Only yesterday I attended a session with award-winning speaker Marcus Child who gave an excellent talk about personal resilience - something that is particularly pertinent given we’re in the middle of a pandemic! The value of listening to other people outside your business should never be underestimated. It takes you out of the working environment, and engages your brain to think differently.