Need a leadership book recommendation?

by Rachel Douglass Director of Engagement Joe Tortorice, Jr (pictured center) visited with Vanessa Barnard and 2017 Chamber Chairman Scott Schwindaman shortly before his September 28 speech. Tortorice and Barnard are both with Jason's Deli. Joe Tortorice, Jr., founder of Jason’s Deli, opened his September 28 Chamber Sunrise Scrambler presentation with his reason for keeping a daily gratitude journal – simply put, “because grateful people cannot be unhappy.” That uplifting and motivating tone permeated his entire speech. According to Tortorice, the key to your business is the people behind it. While addressing a nearly 240-person crowd, Tortorice emphasized servant leadership by encouraging attendees to remember that “people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” Attendees left the event inspired to focus on purposefully serving others with the simple reminder that investing in relationships will be fruitful for years to come. A humbling inspiration to those he addressed, Tortorice gave a nod to the motivational authors he admires and even shared his recommended reading list:

Shackleton's Way by Margot Morrell & Stephanie Caprell The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor The Paradox of Power by Pat Williams Integrity by Dr. Henry Cloud Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell The Servant by James Hunter Why We Do What We Do by Edward Deci Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson Living a Life that Matters by Harold Kushner The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl Servant Leadership by Robert K. Greenleaf Good to Great by Jim Collins A Curious Mind by Brian Grazer The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith The World’s Most Powerful Leadership Principle by James C. Hunter

A special thank you to Joe Tortorice for sharing his time and insights with us and to our sponsors who helped make this event possible: Presenting Sponsor: Emprise Bank Host Sponsor: Hyatt Regency of Wichita Showcase Biz Sponsor: Davis-Moore Auto Group Follow this link to a Carrie Rengers interview with Tortorice about his thoughts on life and leadership that ran in the Wichita Eagle on September 27. Join us for our next Sunrise Scrambler on Wednesday, October 18 and plan to attend the November 15 Scrambler when we'll hear from Dr. Alicia Thompson, Superintendent of Schools for USD 259.