Together at the Top

Esteemed business coach Nick Warner adds value to your life and career by tapping into his considerable network to explore business and management principles through the voice of successful professionals and business owners across all industries. Nick’s guest on today’s show is District Attorney Jeff Reisig, arguably the most influential public-safety figure in California. He has been a leader in innovation, cultivated bipartisan and multicultural relationships, and been a beacon of consistency and drive in a very tough profession. Jeff kicks off the episode by describing what his job as a DA involves, what he most loves about it, and what he finds most challenging. He then speaks about his dedication to staying above the partisan fray and operating from the middle while bringing innovations to his field, like the introduction of race-blind charging. Jeff then discusses what he looks for in a partner, including a focus on doable goals and a willingness to do things for free, the challenge of attracting and retaining top talent, and the importance of accountability as a leader. Next, Nick asks Jeff if he sees himself as a disruptor, and while Jeff rejects the term, he does agree that he likes to challenge the status quo and hopes that his legacy as a DA will be as an innovator. He also shares what he thinks he’s gotten better at as a leader since taking office sixteen years ago, including dealing with criticism and disagreement while maintaining good relationships. Jeff then discusses the importance of taking chances, even at the cost of failure, because that’s how major changes happen and victories are won. And finally, he shares the lessons he’s learned about the importance of carving out time for family, what he might do after his tenure as DA ends, and what he’s excited for in the future. The Finer Details of This Episode: Innovating in the criminal justice system What Jeff looks for in a partner Being a disruptor and challenging the status quo Handling disagreement, failure, and risk Sticking to the middle zone Quotes: “People always want to paint me as either too soft or too hard or whatever. But we’ve got a lot done working in the middle. And so I just try to be very intentional about staying focused in areas where I think that we can bring people from the extremes together to move good policy down the road.” “Criminal justice and criminal justice reform has been at the top of the scorecard for policy issues for over a decade, right? And I’m interested in working with people out there who are committed to try and improve the system without any hard political ideology. Again, just trying to focus on the things that are practical, that are doable, and that make sense.” “As a law firm, as the DA’s office, as one of California’s fifty-eight prosecutors, we’ve done things first that matter. Like race-blind charging, like putting all of our data up publicly for the people to see it and to analyze it and to criticize and to ask questions. And to hold me accountable.” “Our successes are easily outnumbered by our failures, a thousand times, right? And that’s part of being an innovator or disrupter, I think, is taking chances. They’re calculated risks.” “Picking a side isn’t going to help me in a lot of the issues that we’re working on. And I don’t think it necessarily helps a lot of people in the private sector when they pick a side on some of these real hot-button issues, either. I stay focused on the work, on my constituency, on trying to make a difference. And the middle is where I am, it really is where I am. And that’s where the answers are.” Links: Nick Warner Consulting Jeff Reisig Homepage Together at the Top on YouTube