From Outsider to Insider
How Being the “New Kid” Made Bernie Kerschbaum a Master of Leadership
Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong? Like you had to figure out a new world from scratch? That discomfort might be your hidden superpower.
This week on the Test. Fail. Learn. Grow. podcast, I sat down with someone who’s turned that exact experience into a leadership edge: Bernie Kerschbaum, my Vistage chair and an extraordinary leadership coach. His story is a powerful reminder that the very challenges we try to move past often become the foundation of our greatest strengths.
Let’s unpack a few key takeaways that every entrepreneur, founder, and growth-minded leader should hear.
The “New Kid” Edge
Bernie didn’t just move schools. He moved countries: South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt over and over again. That experience could have bred detachment. Instead, it forged adaptability and emotional intelligence.
“The testing was always: How do I make new friends? What type of approach works to get accepted into a group?”
That ability to read a room, adapt quickly, and build connection? It’s now central to how he coaches executives and helps leaders cultivate trust.
The lesson: Adaptability isn't a soft skill, it's a strategic advantage.
Fear as Fuel
In Austrian schools, failing one subject meant repeating the entire year. That kind of pressure doesn’t disappear, it evolves. Even today, Bernie admits:
“That fear of failure keeps going to this day. Am I the right person to do this?”
But here’s the key: he doesn’t let fear halt his progress. He moves forward with it. That’s what separates doers from dreamers.
As entrepreneurs, we all experience fear. What matters is what we do next.
Visionary Meets Operator
Many of you know I lean hard into the visionary side, big ideas, fast starts, occasional chaos. Bernie is rare in that he blends vision with operations, making him a powerful integrator.
He put it perfectly:
“Visionaries come up with 25 ideas before breakfast. The magic happens when someone filters those and keeps the sharp line between vision and integration.”
The takeaway? Know your lane and build with people who thrive in the lanes you don’t.
The Power of the “Parking Lot”
After a Vistage meeting or strategy offsite, it’s tempting to rush back and firehose your team with new ideas. Been there. Guilty.
Bernie offered a better system: the parking lot.
“Give someone the authority to say ‘no’ to you. Let them manage the parking lot. Review it later and decide what’s worth acting on.”
It’s not just a productivity tip. It’s a trust-building practice.
Go Beneath the Surface
Bernie closed with what may be the most important insight of all:
“We all carry baggage. You don’t overcome your limiting beliefs, you work with them. Awareness is what allows real problem-solving.”
Whether you’re scaling a startup or leading a seasoned team, real growth comes not from tactics alone, but from confronting the internal barriers that shape our decisions.
Connect with Bernie
Bernie Kerschbaum is a leadership coach, Vistage Chair, and trusted advisor helping executives grow by going deeper, not just into strategy, but into the beliefs and patterns that shape how they lead.
Through his work, Bernie creates transformational spaces where leaders are challenged, supported, and seen.
He currently leads:
Vistage Peer Advisory Groups – Curated groups for high-performing executives seeking perspective, accountability, and real growth.
1:1 Executive Coaching – Deep coaching that surfaces what’s holding you back and unlocks what’s possible.
Workshops & Retreats – Designed to create clarity, trust, and stronger leadership teams.
If Bernie’s story resonated, connect with him on LinkedIn. He welcomes thoughtful conversations and new connections.
Final Thoughts: Be Curious, Stay Connected
Leadership doesn’t have to be lonely. That’s why House of Bricks, Vistage, and communities like this matter. Bernie reminded me of a simple truth that I try to live by:
“Be more interested in others than you are in yourself.”
Bernie’s journey from outsider to trusted advisor is more than inspiring, it’s actionable. His story reflects the essence of Test. Fail. Learn. Grow. and I’m grateful to keep learning from him.
About The House of Bricks
House of Bricks is a community of entrepreneurs and business leaders committed to building and scaling impactful companies. We provide hands-on advisory services with a focus on executive coaching, fundraising strategy, and sales acceleration.
By leveraging LinkedIn and a trusted network of industry leaders, we help founders connect with the right people and opportunities to grow their businesses.
Whether you’re seeking mentorship, strategic guidance, or a community that challenges you to level up - the House of Bricks is where ambitious entrepreneurs go to build.