Moving The Needle with Jay Holstine

Executive presence isn’t about authority—it’s about trust.

In this discussion, Jay Holstine challenges the traditional belief that leadership is primarily about competence and results. While expertise matters, research increasingly shows that influence, trust, and connection are often the factors that determine whether leaders can successfully inspire action, align tea...

Most CEOs assume growth requires adding more people. But what if increasing headcount is actually slowing your company down?

Jay Holstine explores the concept of Talent Density—the idea that a smaller team of exceptional performers will consistently outperform a larger team filled with average contributors. Drawing on insights from Netflix, McKinsey research, and organizational performance studies, Jay explains why high-performing ...

Many CEOs assume R&D tax credits only apply to companies with laboratories and scientists. In reality, thousands of businesses developing software, improving manufacturing processes, or solving technical challenges qualify for significant tax incentives—and never claim them.

Jay Holstine explains how the R&D Tax Credit works, why so many middle-market companies overlook it, and how leaders can unlock non-dilutive cash flow ...

Burnout isn’t just a people issue—it’s a business risk.

Jay Holstine breaks down why employee burnout has become one of the most overlooked threats to organizational performance. With studies showing that up to 66% of employees and 62% of managers are experiencing burnout, the impact goes far beyond morale—it directly affects productivity, retention, and profitability.

Leadership can be isolating—and isolation often leads to slower, less effective decision-making.

Jay Holstine explores why many CEOs operate without meaningful external input and how that creates an “echo chamber” that limits growth. With nearly 75% of CEOs not receiving outside leadership advice, the absence of objective perspective can quietly impact strategy, cultur...

Even with strong culture and clear structure, a business cannot scale without the right people in the right roles.

Jay Holstine explores one of the most powerful tools for making better leadership and hiring decisions: the People Analyzer, a core component of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). This framework helps CEOs remove emotion from difficult people deci...

Financial statements tell you where your business has been—but they rarely tell you where it’s going.

In this discussion, Jay Holstine explains why relying solely on traditional financial metrics can leave CEOs managing their organizations through the rearview mirror. While revenue, profit, and cash flow are essential indicators, they are lagging measures that reflect ...

Clarity of ownership is the difference between motion and execution.

Jay Holstine breaks down the Accountability Chart—a foundational tool for leaders who want to eliminate confusion, end the “I thought you owned that” conversations, and create a structure that scales. Unlike a traditional org chart that reflects hierarchy, the Accountability Chart defines functional o...

Why 47% of Employees Don’t Know What Their Company Stands For — And How CEOs Can Fix It to Scale

Core values are not décor—they are the decision-making infrastructure of a scalable organization.

Jay Holstine explores why disengagement is rising and how the absence of clearly defined, operational core values undermines execution, alignmen...

Most strategic plans look like extended budgets—but they lack one key ingredient: real choice.

In this insightful segment, Jay Holstine challenges CEOs to stop thinking like accountants and start leading like strategists. Drawing from Roger Martin’s Strategy Choice Cascade, Jay walks through five critical questions every CEO must answer to build a meaningful 2026 strategic plan—one that defines how you’ll win, not just what you’ll ...

In today’s hiring landscape, artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules. Jay Holstine unpacks a pressing challenge CEOs face: separating authentic talent from AI-enhanced resumes. With job postings now attracting hundreds of nearly flawless applications, leaders must look beyond polished paperwork to uncover real potential. Jay outlines five strategic adjustments that help CEOs refocus hiring around outcomes, real-time thinking...

Jay Holstine hosts Eric Harris, CEO of GatherRound, for a high-impact discussion on how transformational communication drives leadership success. Drawing from a deep background in strategic messaging and organizational alignment, Eric outlines proven methodologies for building belief during periods of change, uniting fractured teams, and leading through crises. This conversation is a masterclass in communication with clarity, purpo...

Jay Holstine welcomes Clint O’Rear, President of Creative Sales Consulting, for a dynamic conversation on leadership evolution, strategic growth, and the value of peer accountability. Clint shares how his business bridges manufacturers with major retailers, and how joining a Vistage CEO peer group has sharpened his decision-making and expanded his leadership capacity. His passion for strategy, humility in learning, and commitment t...

Jay Holstine speaks with Tom Currier, CEO of Maverick Power, to unpack the leadership mindset behind one of the fastest-growing companies in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Recognized by both the Dallas Business Journal and SMU Cox for outstanding growth, Maverick Power's rise reflects a sharp focus on execution, culture, and strategic decision-making. Tom shares how participating in a CEO peer group has sharpened his leadership skills...

Brodie Allen, founder of Evolve Surface Strategies, joins Jay Holstine to reflect on the power of structured, recurring one-to-one conversations in shaping both leadership and organizational clarity. With a team of nearly 200 professionals across the U.S. and Canada, Brodie shares how thoughtful engagement—through monthly coaching and CEO peer group insights—has helped him refine ideas, stay strategically aligned, and continue scal...

Jay Holstine sits down with Morne’ Smit to unpack the core drivers of an exceptional sales organization. Together, they explore five essential pillars for creating a high-performing sales culture: Preparation, Practice, Keeping Score, Dedicated Coaching, and a strong Playbook. Morne’ emphasizes the importance of tracking leading indicators—behaviors and habits that forecast success—and highlights why consistent practice off the fie...

Jay Holstine sits down with Eric Kuefler to explore how business leaders can deepen the impact of their EOS implementation by integrating purpose-driven strategy. Eric contrasts the traditional EOS Vision/Traction Organizer (VTO) with Pinnacle’s Strategic Vision & Execution Plan (SVEP), revealing how Pinnacle’s tools empower teams to think more strategically, align with long-term vision, and make better choices. If you’re alrea...

In this value-packed conversation, strategic consultant Marc Emmer breaks down how specialization and smart segmentation unlock growth for companies seeking a competitive edge. He explains how businesses can avoid margin erosion by identifying underserved niches and focusing on high-value opportunities that large competitors often overlook. The discussion also explores the role of Artificial Intelligence in accelerating digital tra...