What our execs are reading: Scott Dwyer, vice president of product management
For the third edition of this popular series, we hear from Scott Dwyer, vice president of product management at Hyland.
Scott talks about four books that have inspired his leadership and innovative management approach throughout his career.
Enjoy!
I’m passionate about two things in my career: first, leadership, and second, continuously making things better.
Lead
From a leadership perspective, I have found The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey to be hands down the most practical guide for both leading yourself and interacting with and leading others. It changed the way I think and lead in my career.
I also really like Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, which is a terrific book about how an individual can impact those around them for the better, independent of – and even in spite of – what almost anyone would consider a very difficult life.
Make things better
From a making-things-better perspective, one of my favorite business books is How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins. I believe we can all admit that we have learned as much, if not more, from failure in our personal and professional lives.
I also believe businesses can learn in the same way – by taking a good look at why others have failed.
Another book I really like about strategy is The Alchemy of Growth: Practical Insights for Building the Enduring Enterprise, written by McKinsey consultants Mehrdad Baghai, Steve Coley, and David White. This book provides timeless, practical, research-based guidance that shows how businesses can consistently think about proactively managing future growth to ensure longevity.
It’s up to you
Jim Collins has a quote that I’ve found very impactful for me personally: “Whether you prevail or fail, endure or die, depends more on what you do to yourself than on what the world does to you.”
I think that’s the theme that supports the books I’ve found helpful throughout my career. I hope you find them helpful too!
