Up Next

First, I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving and took some time for yourself. Me? I spent time with my extended family and caught up on some reading (surprise). My reading list included:

• Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, by Adam Grant
• Happy Mind, Happy, Life: The New Science of Mental Well-Being, by Rangan Chatterjee
• The Leadership Mindset: How Today’s Successful Business Leaders Think, by Joe Calloway

You’ll hear more about Hidden Potential in a future post. I recommend Happy Mind, Happy Life. It’s a good reminder that we can make little changes that can significantly impact our well-being (I need to practice a few of these more). And, of course, The Leadership Mindset has some great insights, it’s by Joe Calloway (Becoming a Category of One).

But what really engaged me recently were a couple of EconTalk podcasts. Pete recommended EconTalk to me, and it’s been one of my favorites since. The first one, “Tyler Cowen on the GOAT of Economics,” is interesting with the discussion of some of the greatest economists of all time, but fascinating with how the author has integrated AI (ChatGPT) in his delivery of the content and engaging readers. Very cool. I had to recommend Pete check it out. He responded that I needed to check out the next one, “Andrew McAfee on the Geek Way.” If you want some insights on what I see as the culture we should have in the School of Business, this is a good summary. McAfee clearly articulates that culture is the key to organizational success (I agree), and there are four key concepts: speed, ownership, science, and openness. I just ordered the book, it’s “Up Next.”

I’m also in the process of reading Worth Doing Wrong: The Quest to Build a Culture That Rocks (Joe Calloway’s recommendation). Hopefully, these insights into my reading list give you an idea of how important our culture is to me. We have great people and want a place where we all belong and can strive to be our absolute best – and have fun in the process.

But I am most excited about what is ahead in 2024 for us. As you will learn in our School of Business meeting, we have some big things to get done next semester. With our AACSB visit next Fall, we will have a lot to do, and we will have a great story to tell (past). Then, with our Strategic Planning and Branding work, we will have a great story to write (future). We have something extraordinary here in the School, and I look forward to our continued work together that will build on an already great foundation.

YOU make a difference!

Ponder this…