The Business Books NJ Executives are Reading, and the Lessons they are Learning

The Edge for July 2022

It’s summer reading season, so we asked business executives to share with us the books that have motivated and inspired them, along with the lessons they gained. Here is what they said:

Don’t Take People for Granted

‘Encouraging the Heart, A Leader’s Guide to Rewarding and Recognizing Others’ by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner was a common-sense read for me, but it outlines things we often take for granted. Several key points stood out: Leadership is a relationship, leadership cannot be exercised from a distance, and you can’t expect others to follow your lead if you don’t take the first step yourself. A leader must set clear standards, expect the best, pay attention, personalize recognition, tell the story, celebrate together, and set the example. The final point – don’t take people for granted!

– Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College

Lead with Humor

I’ve always believed our workdays should include fun in addition to hard work. I recently read ‘Humor, Seriously’ by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas. The authors detail examples of levity benefiting the workplace, and offer tips on how to lead with humor. Leaders who lead with humor are seen as more approachable, which can increase employee engagement significantly. Creating a culture of levity has proven benefits in the workplace including increased innovation. So, lead with laughter.

– Jordan Amin, Partner and National Service Line Leader for Private Business Services, EisnerAmper

Let People Dream

My book of choice is ‘Play Big’ by Dr. Jen Welter, the first woman to coach in the NFL. My three key takeaways:

• If you are in a position of power/leadership don’t say no too quickly. Don’t tell people what they can’t accomplish. Listen, let people dream big (and see if you can provide tools to help them accomplish their goals).
• Find small successes in moments, within relationships, with progress, and along the journey. A small win in a day is success.
• Confidence is contagious. If you find greatness in one place it will spread. It will slowly infuse your life and let you believe that you can do anything in other areas.

– Nick Malefyt, President, Master Search

Challenge Conventional Wisdom

My favorite business-related book is also about my favorite sport: baseball. ‘Moneyball’ by Michael Lewis describes how Oakland Athletics General Manager Billy Beane used statistical analyses to outsmart teams with heftier payrolls. Rather than accept the culture and decision-making process that had been in baseball for decades, Beane studied the data and realized the established thinking was flawed. Beane had the initiative to look at his industry in a completely revolutionary way, and the courage to make the changes based on those insights.

– Don Meyer, Chief Marketing Officer, NJCPA

Focus on What You do Better than Your Competition

I read ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins at the outset of my tenure in law firm leadership and was impressed with his data-driven conclusions. Many of the conclusions were surprising, and they helped shape my leadership style. Most notably is what he terms “the hedgehog concept” – an understanding of and focus on what your organization can potentially do better than any other can. It inspired me to define a strategic middle market niche for Gibbons, offering quality, cost-effective legal services in major matters for mid-market companies and mid-market matters for Fortune 500 companies, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic and expanding down the East Coast.

– Patrick C. Dunican Jr., Executive Chairperson, Gibbons P.C.