We asked this year’s Who’s Who winners: What’s your favorite business book? And what are you reading when you’re not reading about business?
Bob Morris
Favorite business book:
“Toxic Charity,” by Robert D. Lupton
“I don’t like the title, but I think its premise is very good. It talks about the unintended consequences sometimes of the work we’re doing.”
Other favorites:
“The Weight of Mercy,” by Deb Richardson-Moore
“I know Deb Richardson-Moore, and the Community Foundation has supported her work with homeless, addicted and mentally ill persons. The book illustrates the humanity of her clients and is a testament to her persistence with an often-frustrating population. Triune is very successful in its mission with committed board members and volunteers.”
ESPN The Magazine
“I am a sports enthusiast (nut) and enjoy the in-depth reporting, including the human side of athletics.”
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Rick Davis
Favorite business book:
“True Professionalism,” by David Maister
“The book provides keen insight into the unique cultural issues and challenges encountered in leading a professional services firm.”
Other favorite:
“A Walk in the Woods,” by Bill Bryson
“It’s a great adventure – the author’s quest to accomplish his audacious goal of hiking the Appalachian Trail. The only book I have ever read that made me laugh out loud!”
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Carl Sobocinski
Favorite business book:
“Setting the Table,” by Danny Meyer
“Meyer is a New York restaurateur and my mentor.”
Other favorite:
“The True Measure of a Man,” by Richard E. Simmons
“When you are feeling confused or lost, it is a great book to refer back to.”
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Debra Clements
Favorite business book:
“Corporate Responsibility: The American Experience,” by Archie B. Carroll, Kenneth J. Lipartito, James E. Post and Patricia H. Werhane
“Business ethics is of great interest to me.”
Other favorite:
“The Social Animal,” David Brooks
“It is fascinating, and it shows how the mind works and how people make decisions.”
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Mike Riordan
Favorite business book:
“Focus: The Hidden Driver of Intelligence,” by Daniel Goleman
“It really talks about the neuroscience and the behavioral science backing up great leaders.”
Other favorites:
“St. Benedict’s Toolbox,” by Jane Tomaine
“I’m Catholic and I’m going through my ‘I like St. Benedict’ phase right now, so I’m reading this now as part of the Oblate program at Belmont Abbey. I don’t read a lot of fiction. I also like Father [Thomas] Keating; he does a lot of conversation about centering prayer, and he’s terrific.”
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Bob Hughes
Favorite business book:
“David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants,” by Malcolm Gladwell.
“Our role is to be nimble and quick. In our company we compete with big real estate developers and we view ourselves as David competing against Goliath. We also get to play on both sides, and I think everyone needs to practice being nimble.”
Other favorites:
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” by Ken Kesey
“The Count of Monte Cristo,” by Alexandre Dumas
“Today, it’s those. Ask me again tomorrow and they’ll probably be different.”
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David Wilkins
Favorite business book:
“Win: The Key Principles to Take Your Business from Ordinary to Extraordinary,” by Dr. Frank I. Luntz.
“It’s about communication skills needed to succeed in business. It’s about ‘words that work.’”
Other favorite:
“Unbroken,” by Laura Hillenbrand.
“It’s about the American spirit, resilience, perseverance and overcoming adversity.”
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Walter Davis
Favorite business book:
“Atlas Shrugged,” by Ayn Rand.
“It gives a great view of the world around incompetence, what motivates different people, and hits every aspect of business motivation and capitalism.”
Other favorite:
The Bible
“It hits every aspect of life. It has everything that you ever wanted in it, from intrigue to espionage to anything you can imagine. It’s one of those guides to life that I think is just extremely important.”
