In the second of our new recurring segment, we’re sharing a bit of insight into what our Indiana University Kelley School of Business professors at IUPUI are reading – and why they take the time to do so. We continue with IU Kelley School of Business OneAmerica Endowed Chair, Professor of Management, and Program Chair in the Business of Medicine Physician MBA Program Christopher O.L.H. Porter.

I usually find it hard to devote my reading time to any one book — So, as usual, I’m currently reading and just finished several books.

At this time of year, I always reread Struck and White’s “The Elements of Style.” It’s a practice I started about four years ago. I never appreciated the importance of good writing and good writing habits until I became an associate editor of a journal, and it was then I quickly realized how important it is to write well – regardless of your profession. This read is my annual reminder of the keys to being a better writer. The book should be mandatory for ALL students and potential authors.

I also recently finished Dr. Zeev Neuwirth’s “Reframing Healthcare.” In this book, the author pushes physicians and healthcare leaders to rethink how healthcare is delivered. What’s neat about the book and Dr. Neuwirth’s ideas is his belief that healthcare could be dramatically improved if we think about the healthcare system and healthcare organizations like they are businesses. I’m incredibly excited that Neuwirth will be on campus on March 13 to speak to the physicians in our Business of Medicine Physician MBA Program and other physicians on campus and in the community about how they can challenge and change the system.

While my research and teaching center on leading others, I can’t resist a good self-leadership book. The one that I’m reading now is a book edited by Jocelyn Glei and entitled “Managing Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, & Sharpen Your Creative Mind.” Given the nature of the work that I do in terms of both its demand for novel, creative ideas and my limited opportunity to focus on any one topic or manuscript very long, I’m appreciating the contributors’ recommendations for creating the sort of environment and schedule that will help me be more productive.

Finally, I just finished Stephen King’s “The Institute,” which I started as soon as I finished his second most recent book, “The Outsider.” Fiction is one of my favorite breaks from reality, especially a good horror or dystopian novel. What could be more different (and refreshing) after reading research manuscripts all day?!

By: Christopher O.L. H. Porter, Professor of Management and Faculty Chair of the Business of Medicine Physician MBA Program