Wisconsin: The Birthplace of Modern-Day Peer Advantage

Long before artificial intelligence transformed the workplace, before executive coaching became mainstream, and before leadership development became a global industry, two business visionaries from Wisconsin built systems around a deceptively simple idea: People perform better when they work together.

At first glance, O. Alfred Granum and Robert Nourse had little in common. Granum helped transform the financial services industry through Northwestern Mutual, and Nourse founded TEC, the peer advisory organization that eventually became Vistage, which today serves 45,000 members in 40 countries.

Yet both men arrived at essentially the same conclusion: relationships drive performance, peers shape behavior, and people become stronger when surrounded by others who challenge and support them. 

Al Granum believed that life insurance agents might be in business for themselves, but they didn’t need to be in business by themselves. He knew that everyone would win bigger if they did it together. Bob Nourse clearly shared the same sentiment. That idea feels more important today than ever. Full story here: https://ceoworld.biz/2026/05/19/wisconsin-the-birthplace-of-modern-day-peer-advantage/