William Pesce, president and CEO of publishing firm John Wiley and Sons, delivered the second lecture in Elon’s Winter Term series on leadership Tuesday, Jan. 18.
Pesce discussed the values and leadership style that have given him a reputation as a leader who values his employees. He said leaders are always responsible for what happens in their companies.
“The reality is, if something goes wrong I own it,” Pesce said. “You cannot be the leader of an organization and not take responsibility for everything that goes on.” Since it is impossible for a president or CEO to know everything that is happening at a given time, it is imperative to create an environment of integrity and trust, where responsible people can be counted on to make wise decisions. He counts on all his employees to be leaders.
“Far too many people think they need fancy titles to lead,” Pesce said. “One of the most important attributes is the ability to lead without authority.”
Under Pesce’s leadership, Wiley and Sons has been recognized as one of the “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” by Working Mother Magazine and as one of the “World’s Most Respected Companies” by Financial Times.
“Wiley is about treating people as human beings first and professionals second,” Pesce said. He hosts an annual party for employees with at least 25 years of service to the company “to show that we value long-term relationships.” Pesce also hosts new employee orientation 6 times a year and gets new workers comfortable with the idea that they should address him as “Will.”
“I’m enormously grateful to be in a position to help human beings, and I’m inspired to do more.”
Pesce, who was introduced by his daughter, Katie, an Elon junior, said he is disturbed when he hears today’s students say they believe the only way to succeed in business is to sacrifice their values.
“I’m here to tell you that you can succeed, as students and in life, by being a caring, ethical human being,” Pesce said.
Pesce has been a member of Wiley’s leadership team since 1989. He led the turnaround of Wiley’s higher education business and has contributed significantly to the company’s evolution as a global enterprise. Since Pesce became president and chief executive officer in 1998, Wiley has consummated three of the largest and most successful acquisitions in the company’s history.
Pesce received his bachelor’s degree with honors from William Paterson University and earned his master’s degree in business administration with honors from New York University.
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