March 14, 2025
Content sponsored by
Provided Courtesy/WSFS Bank
Authors of "The Path to Sustained Excellence: Strategy, Culture, and Team" pictured left to right: Lizzie Simon, Mark Turner, and Brittany Kriegstein.
In his new book, The Path to Sustained Excellence, former WSFS Bank Chairman, President, and CEO Mark Turner shares the strategies that helped transform WSFS Bank from a $100 million market value company into a $3 billion enterprise. Drawing from real-world insights, interviews, and hard-earned lessons, Turner provides a roadmap for business leaders striving for long-term success.
PhillyVoice caught up with Turner at his book launch event on March 12 at the Union League in Philadelphia, where he discussed the inspiration behind his book, the biggest mistakes leaders make, and the key to building a lasting legacy.
Rodger Levenson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of WSFS Financial Corporation and its primary subsidiary, WSFS Bank, was also in attendance at the event and offered high praise.
“You will see as you read the book that it’s a great story of leadership, talent development, strategy, business acumen, and, most importantly, Mark’s inspiring personal journey.”
Turner’s decision to write the book was driven by two key inspirations. The first was his predecessor at WSFS, Marvin “Skip” Schoenhals, who wrote “From Failing to Phenomenal” about his tenure leading the bank. However, Schoenhals left the story unfinished.
“In that book, he stopped before his tenure ended; he made several references to ‘we'll talk more about that in volume two,’” said Turner. That was Turner’s first clue that he was destined to write the next chapter.
The second inspiration came from Turner’s own reflections after stepping down as CEO.
“I realized that the 25 years were filled with a lot of great experiences — ups, downs, successes, failures, and lessons learned,” he said. “I thought sharing them would not only preserve the history and heritage of WSFS but also help other leaders and aspiring leaders get a head start on their own journey to leadership.”
Turner doesn’t point to a particular defining moment that shaped his leadership philosophy. He says it a culmination of years of strategic decision-making and teamwork.
“After we built a strategy, we focused on culture and then we built the right team. Then they all kind of jelled and worked together,” Turner explained. “We were intentional about them working together and harmonizing. And it's when they did that, we really sold the fruits of that. So, it wasn't one moment, but kind of an evolution of many moments.”
When asked about the most common mistake leaders make that prevents sustained excellence, Turner pointed to the pressure of external expectations.
“If you're a public company CEO, you’re constantly considering what analysts and investors expect from you this quarter or this year,” said Turner. “That can cause leaders to start making short-term decisions — like cutting costs to hit quarterly numbers instead of making smart, long-term investments in new products, acquisitions, or people.”
He believes that focusing too much on short-term pressures can derail an organization’s ability to sustain excellence.
Turner’s first exposure to leadership philosophy came from reading a book by former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca, who famously said, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.”
“That mentality was popular in the authoritative, hierarchical leadership era of people like Iacocca and Jack Welch,” Turner said. “But today, leadership is much more matrix-driven and collaborative.”
He argues that modern leaders must be open to different perspectives before making big decisions.
“Risk managers, naysayers, and other voices offer alternative viewpoints that CEOs should consider,” he said. “Once a major decision is made, yes, people should either buy in or step aside. But before that point, there’s room for constructive debate that can improve the outcome.”
Turner hopes that one lesson from his book sticks with readers: the power of win-win thinking.
“I think there are way too many people in today's society that view things as us versus them — ‘whatever I win, you lose’ and vice versa,” Turner said. “There are so many opportunities to create win-win scenarios, even out of what looked like initially adversarial situations.”
For those just starting their careers, Turner’s advice is simple but powerful.
“Work hard and have a great attitude,” he said. “Especially when you’re new to a job or industry — people might not know you yet, but if you show up with a strong work ethic and a positive attitude, people will want to work with you. And that leads to opportunities for growth.”
It’s the same advice he shares with college students and MBA graduates, reinforcing that success isn’t just about talent, but persistence and mindset.
With The Path to Sustained Excellence, Turner distills decades of leadership experience into a practical guide for business leaders, executives, and aspiring professionals looking to build lasting success. Through real-world examples and thoughtful insights, he challenges outdated leadership myths and offers a fresh perspective on achieving long-term growth.
Whether you're leading a company or just starting your career, Turner’s book provides valuable lessons on strategy, culture, and resilience. The Path to Sustained Excellence is available now at major booksellers and online retailers.
