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

The Edge for July 2024

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.

Crucial Conversations Require Effective Communications

The book “Crucial Conversations,” by Joseph Grenny, is a ‘how-to’ on the power of effective communication, especially in high-stakes situations. We must create a safe space for dialogue, manage emotions, and focus on mutual goals. By mastering these skills, difficult conversations can be navigated with confidence, fostering trust and collaboration. This approach is vital in health care, where clear, compassionate communication can significantly impact patient outcomes and team dynamics.

– Amy B. Mansue, President and CEO, Inspira Health

Becoming a Leader is a Decision, Not an Inclination

I recommend a 2022 book on executive roles called “Leadership is Overcoming the Natural: 52 Maxims to Move Beyond Instinct” by Joe Judge and Michael Merrill. It focuses on the personal changes necessary to become and remain a successful leader. As Judge and Merrill put it, “becoming a leader is a decision … not necessarily the fulfillment of a natural inclination or a promotion.” That crucial insight enables the authors to guide the reader in understanding the significant, challenging, and fundamentally necessary behavioral and attitudinal transformations any good leader must embrace. I was so impressed with the insights, that now, whenever a new colleague joins our senior leadership team, I provide them a copy of the book.

– Michael A. Bernstein Ph.D., President and Professor of Economics and History, The College of New Jersey

The Answers to Our Challenges Are There, If We Are Open To Hearing Them

“It's Your Ship” by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff transformed my leadership approach by emphasizing trust and open communication. The book shares experiences in turning around a struggling Navy ship by empowering the crew, and fostering a culture of accountability. I love the principle of “all teach, all learn.” I empower my team by listening to their honest insights. We discovered that the answers to many of our challenges are in the room if we are open to hearing them. This philosophy has led us to say ‘YES’ to every opportunity to support our lifesaving mission, resulting in five consecutive years of organ donation records.

– Carolyn M. Welsh, President and CEO, NJ Sharing Network

Customer Contacts are Powerful Moments of Truth

“The Power of the Obvious” by Aldo Papone is a hidden gem full of lessons from Aldo’s 30-year tenure at American Express. The lessons that resounded the most with me are in Chapter 5, “Relationships Matter Most of All.” Papone writes that customer contacts are powerful moments of truth; customer retention is a business-building strategy; and technology can never completely replace human contact.

– Nick Malefyt, President, Master Search Solutions

Learn How We Got Here

The most meaningful business-related book I have read recently is “Silent Spring Revolution” by Douglas Brinkley. The book explores the history of the environmental movement through the Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon administrations. As an environmental attorney, it is invaluable to know the background of many of the environmental laws that we deal with every day. The book also shows how environmental regulation is often reactive, and that it is better to act proactively to address the environmental issues of 2024 and beyond. Anyone interested in the environment and the politics of environmental issues will find this book to be enlightening.

– Dennis M. Toft, Member & Chair, Environmental Law, CSG Law

Trust Permeates Every Aspect of Our Lives

“The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything,” by Stephen M.R. Covey, has helped me understand how trust permeates every aspect of our lives. As Covey explains, trust often begins with communication. I apply Covey’s lessons by seeking to gain the trust of my clients by being responsive, zealously advocating, showing empathy, listening, managing expectations, and providing honest and clear-eyed assessments of the strengths and shortcomings of their cases. I build and earn trust with my clients so that I can best represent their interests and help reach their objectives.

– Ryan P. Goodwin, Director, Business & Commercial Litigation Group, Gibbons P.C.

The Importance of Treating Each Other Well

The book “The Happiest Man on Earth” by Eddie Jaku profoundly impacted my approach to career, life, and family. It tells the true story of a Holocaust survivor who faced unimaginable brutality from the Nazis in the 1940s. Despite enduring beatings, starvation, and concentration camps, Jaku never lost his will to live, love, and help others. His unwavering faith in humanity amidst extreme inhumanity inspires me. Whenever I feel like complaining, I remember his story and realize my issues are minor. This book grounds me, fosters appreciation, and underscores the importance of treating each other well.

– Paul DiMaio, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Administrative Officer, Delta Dental of New Jersey