Surround Yourself with the Right People: A CEO’s Edge

Surround Yourself with the Right People: The CEO Advantage

Leadership isn’t a solo act. The people you surround yourself with can either sharpen your vision or blur it. Studies show that peer environments directly influence mindset, habits and business outcomes. For CEOs, that’s not just a nice-to-have insight – it’s strategic intelligence.

Why the Right People Matter for Business Leaders

You become who you spend time with. The right people challenge your assumptions, broaden your thinking, and inspire better decisions. For CEOs and entrepreneurs, this can mean improved leadership, faster problem-solving and greater emotional resilience.

Research from the Harvard Business Review notes that high-performing leaders are more likely to build intentional, supportive peer networks that reinforce long-term success. In fact, CEOs who engage in peer collaboration often report stronger cash flow and more effective strategic execution.

Who’s Holding You Back? Identify and Let Go

Before building the right circle, it helps to assess your current environment. Consider whether these personas are in your orbit:

• The Sluggers: Comfortable with mediocrity, resistant to growth.
• The Naysayers: Always focused on problems, not solutions.
• The Envious: Struggle to celebrate your wins and undermine momentum.

These individuals may not intend harm, but their influence can hold you back from reaching your full leadership potential.

A CEO's 3-Step Framework for Strategic Relationships

1. Audit Your Inner Circle

Start by evaluating the people you spend the most time with. Ask yourself: “Does this person elevate my thinking or drain my energy?” Track which relationships foster honesty, challenge and aligned ambition.

2. Expand Your Circle with Purpose

Don’t leave your peer group to chance. Look for environments where ambition is the baseline. Peer advisory groups, curated mastermind circles, or industry-specific cohorts can surround you with people who think bigger and act decisively.

At Catapult Groups, our Las Vegas-based peer advisory groups are hand-selected, professionally facilitated and tailored for CEOs and executives focused on measurable growth.

3. Nurture the Right Relationships

Great leadership circles don’t just form, they’re built. Invest time, give feedback and show up consistently. Trust and accountability are forged through repetition and real conversation.

Why Peer Advisory Groups Work

Peer advisory groups offer a unique blend of confidentiality, expertise and curated insight. They differ from networking events or one-time mentorships in several key ways:

• Confidential setting: Share high-stakes decisions without fear of judgment.
• Non-competing peers: Gain outside perspective without internal politics.
• Expert facilitation: Sessions stay focused, strategic and actionable.

According to a Vistage study, 70% of CEOs in peer groups say the advice they receive directly impacts business performance. That’s not just connection, it’s ROI.

Your Next Step: Choose Your Circle Wisely

If you’re still making decisions in a vacuum, it’s time to change that. The right people won’t just support your success – they’ll challenge your thinking, help you spot blind spots and open doors to new opportunities.

Request a free 30-minute call with Catapult Groups today to explore how a peer advisory group can elevate your leadership and unlock business growth – right here in Las Vegas.