Originally published July 2011 by Alexandra Harcharek. Read the original article containing the complete Q&A with financial services executive Tom Geisel here.

Q: How do you build strong client relationships? 
A: We have the best of both worlds as an organization. Because of our size, we have products and services that some of the larger institutions have, but our distribution is a community banking model. We get to sit and talk with our clients all the time, to interact with them in the community. Something we do differently is relationship review sessions with our customers, to discuss what’s going on in the industry and how we can help them.

Q: Any business advice you live by? 
A: Mindset is everything. If you work hard enough and you’re not deterred or distracted by short term setbacks, you can actually control your own destiny.

Q: What business book would you recommend? 
A: I believe you can learn a lot more from philosophy and history—things that can teach you life, more than business principals. I frequently read Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, by the philosopher and Roman emperor; a series of passages dealing with spiritual and ethical insights.

Q: What’s in your briefcase? 
A: I travel very light. Give me my iPhone, wallet, business cards, pen and paper and some catch-up reading and I’m good.

Q: Any little-known hobbies? 
A: I used to ride sport motorcycles. I had two Ducatis, a Honda and a Kawasaki.