Choong Weng Kong – Vistage Chair Story

I was a Vistage member for about three years before I was introduced to the role of a Chair. I was able to observe my then Chair working to keep the group accountable to each other. Members who presented the issues to the group were given various options of making the final decision. This is a powerful group dynamics process in addition to the one-to-one meeting with the Chair. However, my perception to be a Chair was significantly different from my observation of my then Chair when I became the Chair for a group of aggressive entrepreneurs of small and medium sized businesses in 2000.

I realized that by putting myself in the members’ situations, they come to understand that I am not a solution provider in our one-to-one meetings. I am listening to their real issues whilst seeking clarification in-between the conversations, making sure our time together is qualitatively different from others. I learn to be better in leading them with questions.

As a Chair, “making a positive difference in the business and personal lives of CEOs brings me great satisfaction” when the members achieved their successes. I found that it is very rewarding when the members enforce and implement the decisions they have made in the interest of their businesses and personal lives that require changes. They are aware that the Chair and the group are their source of mentoring and support. At times, it is not easy for them especially when faced with financial implications of the changes that they have to make.

I learn to practise openness and vulnerability among members and that there is no right or wrong answer. All our meetings and conversations are part of the journey of finding out more about ourselves. We have hot seats, inclusion excises, swat teams and meetings with families among members. We have the sense of being part of a community within the group. This keeps the members close together and they meet outside our scheduled meetings.

Helping my members to make a meaningful difference in their lives is what motivates me to continue my journey as a Chair. I am still learning to be a better Chair. There are new skills evolving especially in the challenging times. Most importantly, I am reminded that “As a Chair, I have to be a trusted friend and companion on this journey we call life to my members”.

Choong Weng Kong
Regional VEE Chair since 2000
Vistage Malaysia