10 Goldman Executives Reveal Their 2024 Inspirational Reads

Goldman Sachs leaders are among Wall Street's most brilliant thinkers—maintaining excellence requires ongoing effort.

As 2024 concludes, Business Insider asked ten high-ranking executives from this leading global investment bank, renowned for their expertise in mergers and acquisitions, to share insights from books, lectures, or plays that enhanced their professional capabilities over the past year.

One executive was inspired by a play that influenced her reflection on the consequences of her decisions over time. Another highlighted a philosopher's talk on the criticality of trust within organizations, available on Spotify.

According to Carey Halio, Goldman's global treasurer, the pursuit of knowledge is never-ending for the bank's leaders, whose mergers and acquisitions volumes ranked highest last year per LSEG data.

“Broadening your understanding enhances your primary skills, allows better connectivity, and improves leadership effectiveness,” Halio shared with BI.

Here is a compilation of 2024 recommendations from top executives like President John Waldron, Vice Chairman Rob Kaplan, and M&A Co-Head Stephan Feldgoise. These suggestions come from Goldman partners, the tier just below the C-suite, presented in their words and arranged alphabetically.

Jared Cohen

Role: President of Global Affairs and Co-Head of the Goldman Sachs Global Institute

Suggestions: 'The Guns of August' by Barbara Tuchman and 'A Peace to End All Peace' by David Fromkin

Through these works, I've realized World War I's intricacies: Tuchman recounts how quickly peace can disintegrate, a lesson for modern times. Similarly, Fromkin's narratives provide clarity, especially pertinent this year after Syria's political shifts trace back to WWI.

Fromkin's work remains a fundamental resource for understanding complex global landscapes.

Stephan Feldgoise

Role: Co-Head of Global M&A

Suggestion: 'The Confident Mind' by Dr. Nate Zinsser

As an expert in performance psychology, Dr. Zinsser instructs military personnel at West Point. His insights on mental preparation and positivity have been invaluable, not only for me but also in guiding future Goldman leaders who face high-pressure scenarios.

His practical techniques are essential tools for developing confident leaders.

Gizelle George-Joseph

Role: COO of Global Investment Research

Suggested Reading: 'The Promise of Leadership' from the Aspen Institute's Finance Leaders Fellowship

This curated collection, included in a week-long seminar, profoundly impacted my leadership, merging discussions about life's quality—health, wealth, relationships, ethics—with stories like Paul Gourevitch's on Rwanda's 1994 Genocide.

Authors like Frederick Douglass and Mary Oliver have instilled in me a commitment to positive change and to savoring life's journey.

Carey Halio

Role: Global Treasurer

Recommendation: Speeches by Philip Jefferson of the Federal Reserve

Two speeches this fall by Jefferson focused on the 'discount window's' history since 1913, illuminating its varied economic support. Despite 25 years in banking, these talks provided fresh insights and demonstrated history as a guide for our current strategies.

In understanding our field, learning is infinite. Broadening expertise enhances leadership—a principle applicable across industries.

Rob Kaplan

Role: Vice Chairman

Book: 'War' by Bob Woodward

Exploring leadership under pressure, whether through Woodward, Manchester, or Halberstam, offers detailed cases of decisive historical moments shaped by leaders' decisions amidst stress.

Minor mistakes could seem trivial but may have far-reaching consequences over time.

Ericka Leslie

Role: COO of Global Banking & Markets

Lecture: 'Trust the Universe' by Alan Watts

Alan Watts has continually inspired my thought process on leadership. His 'Trust the Universe' lecture critiques our instinctive need to control rather than trust organizations, suggesting that trust fosters scalability and growth.

This perspective, mirrored in biological systems, offers a natural framework for impactful organizational change.

Asahi Pompey

Role: Global Head of Corporate Engagement

Show: 'Good Bones' by James Ijames

Watching 'Good Bones' twice, I was struck by its exploration of urban renewal's complex dynamics—critical questions of neighborhood belonging and beneficiary clarity in development.

This play underscores the significance of honoring community history in investments to build lasting trust and impact, principles critical in leading and managing teams.

Padi Raphael

Role: Global Head of Third Party Wealth Management

Book: 'The Man Who Solved the Market' by Gregory Zuckerman

Jim Simons' biography highlights mastery through unique skill applications within niche areas, epitomizing resilience in overcoming early career setbacks.

It celebrates persistence and lifelong learning, traits that resonate with leadership values.

John Waldron

Role: President & COO

Book: 'Eisenhower: The White House Years' by Jim Newton

Exploring Eisenhower's presidency, Newton reveals how navigating geopolitical challenges showcased political acumen, with significant policies enduring in contemporary memory.

Eisenhower's example as a leader who embraced compromise and foresight remains relevant today.

Tucker York

Role: Global Head of Wealth Management

Book: 'Leadership by the Good Book' by David L. Steward

This book, gifted by Steward during his Goldman Sachs visit, offered insights on servant leadership and investment in people that cross religious and professional boundaries, aligning with client service and mentoring goals.

Its teachings resonate with universal principles in the business environment.