Tim Kelly became the 66th mayor of Chattanooga in April after a race that included a first round with 15 candidates and a six-week run-off campaign. A longtime entrepreneur and native Chattanoogan, Kelly attended Columbia University as a John Jay scholar studying comparative literature and German. During the mayoral race, Kelly campaigned on the promise of bridging the gap between Chattanooga's "haves and have-nots," to promote economic growth and "one Chattanooga."
"Chattanooga can and will be the best city in America, and it's not because of our gig [internet speeds], or our tourism sector, or even our great outdoors - as amazing as all of those things are." Kelly said in a speech on election night. "Chattanooga has this potential because of her truly extraordinary people, people who value this place, and our common purpose, more than they value themselves."
What books have shaped your leadership style and your career?
Interesting question. I'm not entirely sure I can point to any one book in particular, but as an avid reader I've read hundreds of books that helped make me who I am. I suppose I'd say (based on the number of times I cite it) that George Orwell's "1984," which I read in high school, had a pretty big impact on me. To this day, I think about the false dualisms that so often divide us and imprison us in oversimplified versions of reality, and my decision to enter politics was in some ways informed by the desire to oppose that.
As for leadership: I really enjoyed Patrick O'Brian's "Aubrey-Maturin" series of historical fiction on many levels, but particularly as regards the challenges of leadership. It's a 20-book series, set in the 19th century British Navy, so it can be a little daunting at first, but it is deeply rewarding and addictive.
What books have you recently read for pleasure that you're recommending to others?
I'm actually that guy who hands out copies of a book when I'm really taken by it, and I have handed out many copies of "The Daily Stoic" by Ryan Holiday over the last year. It's a fantastic daily routine for me and really helped get me through the last year, which in many ways was the most arduous of my life.
I've also recommended "The New Geography of Jobs" by Enrico Moretti, and "The New Localism" by Bruce Katz to many people, and given away quite a few copies! Both were instrumental in my decision process to run for mayor last year. Finally, I'm now reading "We The Possibility" by Mitch Weis, about public entrepreneurship, as is my whole cabinet. These aren't really the books most people would take to the beach, but I'm kinda wonky like that.
For pure pleasure, anything by Elmore Leonard, or that Aubrey-Maturin series.
What's next on your to-read list?
"A Guide for the Perplexed" by Werner Herzog, and "The Infinite Game" by Simon Sinek.