Great stories and lots of gratitude with Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon

January 2, 2025

Mark Gordon is the Managing Editor of the Business Observer. He has been with the Business Observer since 2005, where he’s written about companies, development, entrepreneurs and how government intersects with business, among other topics. He currently oversees the paper’s coverage from Tampa to Naples, in print and online, overseeing a staff of reporters and photographers, in addition to writing stories. He has written a biweekly leadership column, Leadership Matters, since 2021 in the Business Observer. And in 2023 he began hosting From the Corner Office, a weekly podcast.

In a twist, for this week’s episode From the Corner Office producer Read Corley turns the tables — and interviews host Mark Gordon. Read and Mark talked about Mark’s career in journalism, his lessons learned about leadership from interviewing hundreds of executives and entrepreneurs and his mentors. Listen for how Mark answers a question about what he would like the headline to be for his last story.

3 Takeaways

(06:40) Be pragmatic
(07:45) Never assume, over communicate, and be clear
(12:00) The best hires are problem solvers

Timestamps

(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio!
(00:30) Introducing Mark Gordon, Managing Editor of Business Observer
(03:35) Becoming Managing Editor and responsibilities
(06:10) Learning curve of managing people
(08:48) Favorite story Mark has written for the Business Observer
(10:30) Ideal audience member of Business Observer
(11:45) Characteristics of the best hires
(13:40) Setbacks and learning experiences
(17:00) There is no “edit” button in journalism
(20:40) Mark’s mentors
(25:20) Rapid fire questions

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders and much more.