CEOs take one of three approaches to their summer reading, depending on whether what they seek on holiday is business inspiration, complete escape from work—or some of each.
History is a favorite refuge for escapists such as Michael Morrison, CEO of Datawatch, who plans to read The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, an account by James D. Hornfischer of a World War II sea battle. Selections by M’lou Walker, CEO of Zicam, include A Pearl in the Storm, a story about rowing across the Atlantic by Tori Murden McClure.
And Norman Radow, CEO of Radco Cos., has been eyeing Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and The Making of Winston Churchill, by Candace Millard.
A second stratagem involves straddling business and pleasure. Tom Mahoney, CEO of ITA Group, an employee-engagement consultancy, will be reading Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Emotions, by Dan Ariely. America’s Generations in the Workplace, Marketplace, and Living Room Living, by Chuck Underwood, is the targeted read of Neil Kleinberg, CEO of DiliVer, an M&A-due-diligence software company.
Similarly, Meditations, the true classic tome by Marcus Aurelius, will be a page-turner for Darin Brannan, CEO of ClearData, who wants to “get back to what I fundamentally believe in and how I can apply it to my life and work today.” And Gopi Koteeswaran, CEO of LatentView Analytics, will be poring through Sapiens: A Brief History of Mankind, by Yuval Noah Harari.
Unapologetically, even summer reading is all about business for some CEOs. That’s why Ross Sapir, CEO of Roadway Moving, plans to read Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t, by Simon Sinek.
Alfred Sanchez, chief of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, will be reading Rise of the Robots, by Martin Ford, because of his interest in “the issue of the quickly evaporating pool of good jobs” in the U.S. and globally.
And it’s clear that some CEOs can’t get too much of the best business advice: Alon Ozery, founder of Ozery Bakery, said he’ll be “re-reading an old favorite: Raising the Bar by Gary Erickson,” which he called “a wise and inspiring book for entrepreneurs and dreamers who wish to build a value-driven company and make a real difference in this world.”
And who wouldn’t want to do that—even on summer vacation?
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
