Dr. Rebecca Shortridge joined the University of Tennessee Chattanooga in July 2021 as the Gary W. Rollins Endowed Chair and Department Head of Accounting. Prior to joining UTC, Dr. Shortridge was the Donald E. Kieso Endowed Chair of Accountancy at Northern Illinois University. In 2021, Dr. Shortridge was recognized by the Illinois CPA Society as a Woman to Watch. In 2019, she received the Federation of Schools of Accountancy/Joseph A. Silvoso Faculty Merit Award; this annual award honors an outstanding contribution by a faculty member in a post-baccalaureate professional program of an FSA member school.
What books have you read and recommended to others that influence your leadership style and how you've developed your career?
"Yes, And" by Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton highlights lessons from The Second City in Chicago. The book encourages leaders to develop conversations instead of stopping them too soon. When team members have ideas that may be extreme, don't say "no," but allow them to brainstorm. As a result, the team might get to a place they never considered before.
As a woman leader, I was also inspired by Sheryl Sandberg's book, "Lean In." Many women in business and professional careers assume that they will leave the working world to have children. Sheryl's story highlights how women can pursue both motherhood and a career. Work-life balance on a weekly basis is really not possible. There are ebbs and flows that occur and times when your children or your career must have more of your time and energy.
What books have you recently read for pleasure that you're telling others about?
I was recently a member of a women's Bible study group that read "Find Your People" by Jennie Allen. The book is particularly meaningful to me as I moved to Chattanooga a year ago from Illinois. Other than my oldest son, who moved with me, I have no family or connections in Chattanooga. Jennie talks about how people are meant to live in community and have done so throughout history. Our society, with Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and others, has impacted how we build relationships that impact our lives and give us joy.
Although not a recent read, I strongly recommend "Overwhelming Odds" by Susan and Denny O'Leary. Their 9-year-old, John, was burned over 98% of his body. They share their story of John's survival and will to live despite his tremendous pain and challenges. John's story also inspires small deeds that can make a big difference in the lives of others.
What is next on your to-read list?
I just started reading "Pay Up, The Future of Women and Work and Why It's Different Than You Think" by Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code. I also plan to read "Empire of Pain" over the summer which tells the story of the Sackler family and their involvement with Oxycontin in the U.S.