Vistage Live - Australia and New Zealand - Business and Leadership Insights Podcast

In this episode of Vistage LIVE, Vistage Australia and New Zealand MD Stephanie Christopher interviews Rob Ristagno, President, International at Vistage. Rob shares his insights on the evolving landscape of leadership and the challenges CEOs face in a rapidly changing business environment. He emphasises the importance of adaptability, strategic decision-making, and leveraging community-based learning for growth and resilience. Rob also discusses how Vistage is supporting CEOs with resources that foster collaboration, innovation, and sustainable success.

Key takeaways include:

• Embracing change as a constant and leading with flexibility.

• Building stronger networks through peer learning and global connections.

• Developing leadership skills that prioritise long-term strategy over short-term gains.

• Understanding how Vistage's unique ecosystem empowers leaders to navigate complexity with confidence.

In this insightful episode of Vistage Live, Stephanie Christopher sits down with Ari Galper, the world’s leading authority on trust-based selling and the founder of "Unlock the Sales Game." Ari shares his journey from high-tech sales to pioneering a sales philosophy that flips traditional methods on their head. He introduces the revolutionary concept of trust-based selling, where the key to closing deals is not about pitching your product but creating a genuine human connection rooted in trust. Ari explains how breaking free from outdated sales tactics and embracing a doctor-patient mindset transforms the sales process, allowing prospects to feel safe, understood, and open to engaging deeply. Listen in as Ari reveals why letting go of "selling" to focus purely on understanding your client's pain points is the true differentiator in today’s market.

In this dynamic episode of Vistage LIVE, Stephanie Christopher speaks with Emma Doyle — a former elite tennis player turned corporate high-performance coach. Emma shares how her early coaching experiences on the tennis court shaped her leadership philosophy, ultimately driving her to work with CEOs and business leaders across the world.

Drawing parallels between sport and leadership, Emma unpacks what it takes to lead with energy, curiosity, and empathy under pressure. She explains why “leader as coach” is not just a philosophy, but the way of now. With practical tips on how to build trust, communicate across personality types, and turn pressure into performance, Emma offers powerful insights for leaders looking to unlock potential — in themselves and in others.

Key themes include:

• Coaching as a mindset: Pulling out potential vs pushing information in.

• The opponent in your head: How internal blocks limit performance.

• The Grow Model: A simple but powerful framework for coaching teams.

• Emotional intelligence, trust, and curiosity as modern leadership superpowers.

• The importance of grounding: “Get your head where your feet are.”

Emma’s energy and authenticity shine as she shares stories from her career in sport and business, making this episode a must-listen for leaders ready to step up under pressure.

In this engaging episode of Vistage LIVE, host Stephanie Christopher sits down with Tony Chamberlain—Vistage Chair, seasoned executive, and former Undercover Boss—to explore the power of leadership forged through real-world experience. Tony reflects on his early ambitions to run businesses, his transformative leadership at Staging Connections, and his evolution from hands-on CEO to thoughtful mentor and peer group facilitator.

With candid insights, Tony reveals the lessons he's learned from turning around underperforming businesses, cultivating high-performing leadership teams, and creating trusted spaces for business leaders through his Vistage groups. He shares why he wishes he had discovered Vistage earlier, how he balances being a non-executive director with chairing peer groups, and what makes peer advisory so powerful for CEOs and business owners.

And yes—he even shares the funny story of going undercover for the reality TV show Undercover Boss, wig mishaps and all.

Mark Bregman, a distinguished global business leader with a rich background in technology strategy and entrepreneurship, delivers profound insights into leadership, innovation and strategic thinking. Drawing from his extensive experience across Fortune 500 companies and startups, Bregman explores the nuanced art of leading organisations, emphasising the critical balance between operational excellence and strategic vision.

Key Takeaways for Leaders:

Leaders must challenge their own thinking – Recognising cognitive bias helps avoid decision-making pitfalls.
Change is constant; adaptability is key – Organisations that embrace change will stay ahead of their competition.
Technology is a leadership tool, not a threat – AI and automation should be leveraged to enhance decision-making, not replace human leadership.
Strategy needs a long-term lens – Making decisions for short-term gains often leads to long-term struggles.
Culture drives success – A strong, adaptable team culture is the foundation of sustainable business growth.