From The Bench To The Boardroom

In the new book, From the Bench to the Boardroom, Michael MacDonald shares his journey from humble beginnings in the outskirts of Philadelphia, to his college basketball career at Rutgers, to executive positions at Xerox and Medifast.

The book (co-authored by Dick Weiss) chronicles Michael’s story of going from an underdog athlete to a turnaround CEO, and how he took his student-athlete experience and translated those learned lessons to successes in his career.

As a basketball player, Michael learned teamwork, courage, adaptability, and much more. As an business executive, he found the perfect environment to apply these skills.

Michael’s inspirational and motivational story is filled with lessons for making the most of your opportunities, achieving success, staying relevant, leading with passion, and building your legacy.

Today, Michael shares these additional insights with us:

Question: What inspired you and Dick to write the book?

Michael: I was inspired to write the book as I neared retirement and looked back at my life and career. I thought it was important for every kid from a blue-collar family to know that they can make it. It’s not easy or without obstacles, and sometimes it even takes more than hard work, maybe even a bit of luck. But if you set goals, strive to reach them, you will ultimately learn invaluable lessons. Even if you end up being the underdog in one facet of your life, you can take those lessons to be a true leader in other facets.

Question: For the non-athletic reader what are some ways to gain teamwork skills early in life?

Michael: I think the principles of athletic teamwork and teamwork in general are the same. Thus, if you are collaborating academically, professionally, or in the arts, a team is a group of people brought together by a singular goal and knowledge that collectively they are better off. Listening skills are critical to participating in any kind of “team.”

Question: How early in life should someone find a mentor?

Michael: As early as they are able to establish meaningful relationships. An example could be a coach, teacher, or manager.

Question: What helped you succeed the most during your career?

Michael: My family and their support was critical. My work ethic, drive, and ability to learn from others (being a solid teammate).

Question: What can leaders do to build more diversity into their organizations?

Michael: Leaders need to understand the importance of difference. If you only have a team that looks and sounds like you, you are only looking to validate your own perspective. The more diversity you have in terms of opinions, experiences, and yes, ethnicity, sexuality, etc., the broader and more informed the team’s perspective will be.

Question: When leaders hire, which skills (enthusiasm, organization, good work habits, ethics, loyalty, leadership, sales) of the interviewee are most important and why?

Michael: To some extent, it depends which role you are hiring for, but generally speaking, all of these are critical. Loyalty is an interesting one because I think in an interview process it’s hard to understand that, but you can ensure that the candidate is passionate about what the company does.

Question: What do you want your legacy to be?

Michael: I hope my legacy is one defined by giving back – to my family, friends, society and the institutions that had an impact on my life.

Michael C. MacDonald has served as non-executive chairman of the board of Medifast, a weight-loss products company, since January 2018. He previously served as executive chairman of the board from November 2011 until December 2017. He was promoted to chairman and chief executive officer in February 2012.

Prior to this role, MacDonald was executive vice president of OfficeMax, from August to October 2011, overseeing the Contract Division. He also spent thirty-three years in sales, marketing, and general management at Xerox Corporation prior to joining OfficeMax.

Dick Weiss is a sportswriter and columnist who has covered college football and college and professional basketball for the Philadelphia Daily News and the New York Daily News. He has received the Curt Gowdy Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and is a member of the national Sportswriters Hall of Fame. He has also co-written several books with Rick Pitino, John Calipari, and Dick Vitale, and authored a tribute book on Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Thank you to the book’s publisher for sending me an advance copy of the book.

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