The best advice often sounds simple when you first hear it.

Do what you say you’re going to do. Take the first step. Give credit to others. Work hard but remember there’s more to life than work. Years later, those lessons have a way of resurfacing at exactly the right moment.

In honor of Father’s Day, we asked Vistage members, Chairs, and speakers to share the best advice they received from their fathers. Their responses reveal the values that helped shape them long before they became CEOs, entrepreneurs, coaches, and leaders. Some lessons focused on discipline and accountability. Others emphasized humility, service, relationships, and keeping the bigger picture in view.

Taken together, these reflections offer a glimpse into the wisdom that helped guide careers, build companies, and influence leadership styles across the Vistage community. Here’s the best leadership advice they got from their dads.

Responses condensed and edited for clarity.

“Do what you say you’re going to do when you say you’ll do it.”

Scott Lardner
President, Rocky Mountain Stone Co., Inc.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Vistage member since 2007

“If you don’t start putting down the first brick, you will never put a roof above your head. It’s the small steps you take that will get you there. The world is for the brave!”

Carolina Mantella
Managing Director, Antarctica Travels
San Martín de los Andes, Argentina
Vistage member since 2025

My father told me when I first started in business, “A great boss takes less than his share of the credit … and more than his share of the blame. Do that, and your team will run into fire for you.”

It works.

Gary Kinzel
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Vistage Chair since 2021

“Focus on what matters to other people, not what’s in it for you. People will eagerly reward you for solving their problems and for making them feel like the most important person in the relationship.”

Fletcher Wimbush
CEO, Discovered
Surfside, California
Vistage speaker since 2025

“Always match authority with responsibility. You get what you inspect, not what you expect. The more you lead, the more you serve.” And, most importantly, the 11th commandment: “Thou shalt not B.S. thyself.”

Jeff Jensen
Partner, JFO Group
Irving, Texas
Vistage member since 2018

“Always do a little more. This will separate you from your competition.”

Ryan Holocher
Partner, Vice President, and Senior Financial Advisor,
Trailhead Wealth Management
Louisville, Colorado
Vistage member since 2026

You don’t want your tombstone to read, “I worked.”

Eric Webb
Apex, North Carolina
Vistage Chair since 2018

“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”

Abby Ochs
Founder/ CEO, Gro HR Consulting
Waxahachie, Texas
Vistage member since 2026

“Stop working for one minute, close your eyes and go back to Maine (or someplace that was a great trip). He always reminded me to just stop, refocus.”

Shonda Decker
President, Affordable Striping & Sealing
Las Vegas, Nevada
Vistage member since 2018

Karen Norheim: “Create an Environment Where People Can Be Awesome”

In Summer 2024, Vistage Perspectives profiled American Crane CEO Karen Norheim as she took the helm of her father’s custom equipment manufacturing company. After navigating the challenges of COVID-19, modernizing the business, and grieving the loss of her father, Karen transformed the Pennsylvania-based American Crane into an industry powerhouse.

Here, Karen shares a piece of advice from her father that continues to guide her leadership journey.

“My dad always said that people are the most important part of any business — and also the hardest part. Honestly, truer words have never been spoken. His advice was simple: Your job as a leader is to create an environment where awesome people can be awesome. Hire well, build the conditions for them to thrive, and then — this is the hard part — get out of their way. Trust them. Let them fly.”

Austin Tsosie: See Fatherhood in a New Light

Sometimes, it’s the father who needs advice, says Austin Tsosie, CEO of Diné Development Corporation, the Arizona-based enterprise that serves as the business arm of the Navajo Nation. Vistage Perspectives first profiled Austin in Winter 2024, highlighting Diné’s mission and its work to support the nation.

We invited Austin back to contribute and asked him to share his father’s best leadership advice. He offered an unexpected response.

“During a Vistage Inside group, it was uncovered that my executives didn’t know where they truly stood with me. By nature, I am reserved and quiet. I was not acknowledging their achievements. They needed more praise and emotion. This was absolutely true!

I realized it, but then immediately thought about my parenting style. I have 4 amazing children. I was exhibiting the same behavior with them by not giving them the proper praise they needed. Vistage helped me close this gap in my parenting style. Now I take every opportunity to emotionally support and build my children.”