A Covid Reading Recommendation

Think relationships, not transactions, for better business.

It’s time to put humanity back into capitalism. To create community. To delight. To inspire.

I believe that business can be a profound generative act of creativity and generosity. It does not have to be exploitative or extractive.

If you own a business, think about how to make your customers feel treasured.

And if you’re a customer, do business with those who treat you like a human, and not like a wallet on legs.

That’s the biggest lesson I got from reading Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara yesterday, when I was laid up in bed thanks to covid.

General manager Guidara and chef Daniel Humm, partnered together to turn 11 Madison Park from a middling brasserie into one of the world’s best restaurants. This was done not only with superb cuisine but with truly over-the-top service. 

I’d heard this book was great, but I was skeptical.

One of my favorite shows of 2022, The Bear, is about a fine dining chef who takes over his dead brother’s failing Chicago beef sandwich joint. The lead character has nightmares about being tortured as a trainee by a sadistic and exacting chef, rumored to be modeled on Daniel Humm.

Never mind that.

This book is a master class on how to delight your customers as well as how to lead your team.

Read it.

When you think “relational,” not “transactional,” the whole energy shifts. 

Because in a world where we feel isolated, with no sense of community, commerce properly done can help us be seen and valued for who we are and not just what we spend.

Going back to bed now. 

Please hit reply and send me book recommendations.