Leadership Matters: A Tech Founder’s Reading Habits
From police officer to corporate executive to founder, Casey Marquette’s journey underscores the profound impact of continuous learning. Marquette, the driving force behind a nearly $8 million AI-infused tech employee recruitment business, credits his success to a focused reading habit: leadership books.
Marquette’s career path is far from conventional. Before founding Covenant Technologies, Marquette held IT security leadership roles at Fortune 100 companies. In 2022, he launched his own venture and achieved remarkable success. His commitment to reading leadership books, he says, is the key to his accomplishments.
“No matter what you want to be in life, someone has already done it and been great at it,” Marquette says. “You just need to read about it.”
From Security to Startups
At 49, Marquette has already lived two distinct professional lives. He began as a police officer and later transitioned to the corporate world, ascending to leadership positions at Johnson & Johnson and CVS Health. Before launching his company, he was responsible for implementing new security protocols for global IT consulting firm Cognizant.
In May 2022, Marquette established Covenant Technologies in the Sarasota-Bradenton area. The firm leverages AI technology to improve the process of helping companies (particularly in IT and cybersecurity) find and keep top talent.
Initially, resources were scarce. Marquette recalls the early days when he had to drive across the country to get meetings, sleeping in his van in Walmart and Cracker Barrel parking lots. In the first year, the company lost $175,000. Despite the challenges, the concept quickly gained traction.
Today, Covenant Technologies provides direct-hire, contract-to-hire, and contract staffing services to a range of IT and cybersecurity clients. The company’s model relies on an AI-powered software model to streamline resume screening, alongside a collaborative approach with hiring managers to refine job requirements.
The formula is clearly working: following the initial loss, the company generated $5.8 million in revenue in 2023 and $7.7 million the past year, representing a 32.75% increase. The firm currently employs eight people.
Building a Company Through Leadership
Marquette’s reading list includes several key books that inform his leadership style.
“Turn the Ship Around!” by L. David Marquet
Marquette recommends “Turn the Ship Around! How to Create Leadership at Every Level” by David Marquet. Marquet, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former nuclear submarine captain, emphasizes the importance of giving true autonomy rather than false empowerment and creating a culture of doers rather than followers. Marquette says he learned from the book the power of leading with intent – both on his own and with his team.
“They will send me an email that says I intend to, … and they know if I don’t respond, to go ahead and do it,” Marquette says. “We get 100 times more done than what other companies get done in the same amount of time this way.”
“25 Ways to Win with People” by John Maxwell
Another book, which has helped Marquette connect with clients, is John Maxwell’s “25 Ways to Win with People: How to Make Others Feel Like a Million Bucks.” A key takeaway is the importance of showing genuine interest in others.
“The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield
Finally, “The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be,” by Jack Canfield, encourages readers to focus on what they can control, regardless of obstacles. The tendency to blame others for setbacks, Marquette believes, is a common pitfall.
By prioritizing reading and applying these leadership principles, Marquette has built a thriving business, demonstrating the enduring value of continuous learning and thoughtful leadership.
