Tom Cuthbert has had a 35-year career of building, buying and selling businesses across multiple industries. One of his more prominent deals was in 2014 when Google acquired Adometry, an ad attribution company Cuthbert founded in 2005. Cuthbert chairs six Vistage groups made up of about 100 CEOs and business leaders. Vistage is a mentoring membership organization for CEOs, business owners and executives. He’s been recognized multiple times with the Vistage Chair Excellence Award and was named “Vistage Chair of the Year” for the Southern region two of the last three years. Last year he formed Sales City Group to acquire and operate Sandler Training franchises across the U.S.
What makes you a great leader?
In my opinion, becoming a great leader is unattainable. Leadership is a journey and we all learn and grow everyday. As a leader of leaders (CEO coach), I am able to learn from others by asking questions. I spend 1,000 hours a year in private, closed door conversations with CEOs. My job is to help them see what they are missing to achieve more than they imagined possible. This gives me a front row seat to leadership excellence.
What were some examples of leadership and policies that you had to take/create as the Covid-19 pandemic hit?
Our Vistage community took immediate action to help each other. There was constant communication anchored with a central hub of information. Our members created dozens of videos, information links and documents on everything from safety protocols to PPP loans to support for tough decisions. I had hundreds of conversations and facilitated dozens of discussions as we worked together to face some of the toughest decisions of our business life. Along the way, we never lost sight of the human pain, suffering, and tragedy. We cared deeply for our families, employees, and community. I am most proud that of the over 50 member companies in our Vistage community, 85% had record years in sales and profit in 2020.
What are some tactics for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that you have implemented at your company?
Diversity makes us all better. Our members foster diversity in both their companies and our Vistage community. I’m most proud of the women leaders we have. By focusing on culture, supporting women leaders and addressing unconscious bias, 42% of our members are women. This is more than twice the national average. Our Chief of Staff, Hollis Rudd, is leading us in formalizing diversity initiatives to ensure we are continuously committed to improvement in this area.
The Essentials
Career: Master chair and CEO, 2012 - present; best practice chair, 2019 - present, Vistage Worldwide Inc.; chairman, 2020 - present, Sales City Group; chairman, 2017 - present, Sandler Training; founder, CEO and president, 2005 - 2014, Adometry; chairman, 2006 - 2010, Click Quality Council; co-founder, president and COO, 2000 - 2005, Optimal iQ
Education: Texas Tech University (need institution and degree)