Contributed photography / Bridgett Massengill, president and CEO of the Thrive Regional PartnershipBridgett Massengill is president and CEO of the Thrive Regional Partnership, an independent nonprofit organization working for responsible and inspired growth for the next 40 years across the tristate Chattanooga region. Massengill began this work in 2012 as the project manager and executive director of Thrive 2055, a Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce program focused on growing economic opportunities while preserving what is most loved about the 16-county region's home communities. Before joining Thrive in 2012, Massengill was principal of her own downtown development consulting firm. She also served as the executive director of the Johnson City Development Authority in northeast Tennessee, and spent five years as a legislative budget analysis specialist for both the House and Senate of the Tennessee General Assembly.
What books have you read and recommended to others that influence your career and leadership style?
As a female executive, "Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead" by Sheryl Sandberg influenced my career in tremendous ways. In the midst of changing life demands, she describes the career path as "a jungle gym, not a ladder," with a call to "lean in" to the tables you are seated at. She poses a question that sticks with me today: "What would you do if you weren't afraid?"
"Start with Why" by Simon Sinek challenged me to dig deep and consider my "why." As Sinek states, when your "why" goes fuzzy, it becomes difficult to maintain the growth, loyalty, and inspiration that helped drive your success. This book has inspired not only my own decisions, but also helped create the north star for my company, Thrive Regional Partnership.
Another, "Boundaries for Leaders" by Dr. Henry Cloud, helped me understand boundaries as the secret to creating the culture you desire that allows you and your team to thrive.
Others on my top list include "The Accidental Creative" by Todd Henry, "Dare to Lead" by Brene Brown, and "Culture Wins" by William Vanderbloemen.
What books have you recently read that you're telling others about?
In the midst of so many challenges our society is facing today, I've been engrossed in reading books that help us better understand each other.
"Uneven Ground: Appalachia Since 1945" by Ron Eller addresses systemic ways that the early exploitation of nature's beauty and uneven modernization throughout rural Appalachia created social inequities and deep distrust of government still evidenced today.
"White Fragility" by Robin DiAngelo addresses systemic racism from the lens of a white person. This book brought a deeper awareness of my own blind spots, and opened my eyes to ways that I can step up to racial inequities.
What is next on your to-read list?
"My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton" by Laura Kaye and Stephanie Dray, and "Good Authority" by Jonathan Raymond. I am intrigued by the people in history who have been overshadowed by the counterparts of their lives, and I continually seek out new ways to grow as the leader my team needs.