My grandfather’s office was enormous. As a child, I would sometimes visit with my grandmother during the work day and, as you know, everything in the adult world seems oversized to a child. Now, as an adult, thinking through the details of the office, it’s safe to say it was absolutely enormous. 

Let me quickly help you picture it: 

• Small conference table with 4 chairs, surrounded by bookshelves full of memorabilia, pictures with presidents and congressmen and CEOs, etc. 

• Large conference table with 10 chairs near a huge window

• Seating area with 2 full-sized couches and 2 armchairs 

• Personal bathroom (with a shower) behind a hidden door in the wall 

• Oversized executive desk in the middle of the room flanked by receiving chairs 

On the desk were a few family photos, a hilariously large glass jar of black jelly beans (his favorite candy), working papers, and his personal stationery. 

Along the top of the stationery read the words ‘FROM THE DESK OF GENE C. RUSSO’ in a classic 1960s corporate typeface. 

Those words, the typography, that desk, his office, are all emblazoned in my memory; all signs of his signature blend of presence and relationships as a means to build meaningful connections. 

And it’s with that inspiration that I’m launching from the DESK of Jon Wise, a monthly-ish note from me in hopes of connecting with you. 

Writing this post and thinking about my grandfather has me wondering...

Do you draw any inspiration from your relatives or mentors or people you looked up to when you were young? 

What did you take from them and bring into your career? 

Drop me a note and let me know.

j

P.S. Thanks so much for reading. More soon. 

P.P.S. Yes, those are my grandparents in the photo above.