Last night I attended the Cope Award dinner for my dear friend Beth Adkisson in Newport Beach, CA. I knew Vistage Chairs from all over the US who were close with Beth were invited, I just didn’t think they would all show up. Boy, was I wrong. Beth was roasted with love and humor. Skits and songs and tributes from the floor. Every Chair in the room claimed that they were Beth’s best girlfriend. Even male Chair, Willie Rosoff. We roared with laughter. One of her Members described his first meeting with her at a Starbucks in Newport Beach. He said when Beth was listening to his story, she made him feel like there was no one else at Starbucks. He joined her group immediately. That is Beth.
Beth believes her super power is connection. She is driven to connect first with you, then connect you with others. She creates community everywhere she goes. The heart of it all is Beth’s deep listening and curiosity. About you. She is rarely interested in talking about herself. If she can help you, she will. Authentically. What you see is what you get.
As a Chair, I’ve watched her grow into her powerful stand for accountability and results. She will listen to your excuses with a lovely smile on her face and then ask the zinger question that unlocks the heart of the resistance without making you wrong. A masterful Vistage Chair at work. Beth is a builder of people – as individuals, as leaders and as a community activist.
What can we learn from Beth? Pay deep attention to all the ways people communicate. From body language to emotions that cross their face, to the way they say something. Don’t be afraid to ask the next question. After all, you are just curious….
If you don’t think Vistage peer groups get value at every meeting-from the speakers, the conversations, a wise Chair, and the input from your peers, don’t click here.