Marcus Shaw came to Chattanooga from Baltimore, Maryland, in 2017 to lead CO.LAB, a local nonprofit that nurtures startups and empowers entrepreneurs. But his background runs the gamut from engineering and finance to leading diversity efforts for corporations. Shaw is a former senior director of business development and partnerships for Management Leadership for Tomorrow, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that helps build diversity and leadership pipelines for corporate institutions, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. In that role, he grew partnerships with Fortune 500 companies and led the proposal for an entrepreneurship development program focused on women and minorities. He is also the founder of a boutique consulting company that specializes in working with startups and small to medium-sized businesses. Shaw holds a master’s of business administration from Duke University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Morehouse College and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
What books have you read that have influenced the way you lead and grow your career?
Books recommended by mentors, colleagues, and friends have had a significant influence on my career. Through 20 years in technology, finance, diversity strategy, and entrepreneurship, I have benefited greatly from the experience and advice of others. At each stage in my career there are a few books that have helped to shape my approach to learning and leading.
As a young engineer designing and building complex communications networks, I was fascinated with the evolution of telecom networks to the internet. Clayton Christensen’s “The Innovator’s Dilemma” is a fantastic read for anybody intrigued by disruptive technologies that change the world. This book inspired me to learn more about the business of technology companies, and ultimately influenced my decision to go to business school.
When I started my career on Wall Street, mentors shared a number of must-read books that provide insight into a culture built on capital and risk. Peter Bernstein’s “Against the Gods” chronicles how humans have perceived risk throughout time and its impact on civilization. As an investor, I take risk for a living. Honing the skill of anticipation and growing comfortable with uncertainty is key for any successful investor.