Jeffrey Shapiro
Director of Talent Acquisition, RadNet
1. When did you first stand up to your parents… what was the issue and...were you right?
Dropping out of college was a decision that was not taken lightly in the Shapiro household. I remember the dreaded feeling of shame and the look of disappointment when the fact that for an entire year I lied about attending class for not only my first but second semester my Freshman year, 415 miles from home. The fact is I cruised through high school, having never studied a day in my life and was BOTH ill prepared and too immature for the freedom and responsibility that came with pursuing higher education. Was I right…? Absolutely, 100% I can safely say I do not wonder if I have the approval of my parents or they speak about with me with pride because I know with great certainty, they do.
2. What seemed like an inconsequential decision at the time, but in hindsight turned out to fundamentally reshape your life?
Telling my childhood best friend I thought his neighbor was cute.
Well what do you think happened next? He of course tells her.
Her reply… ‘No way, I think he’s cute too!’
Friend gives me neighbor’s number.
Jeff and neighbor date for 2 years in high school.
Jeff takes neighbor to her senior prom. Jeff and neighbor break up, ‘cause you know college.
Fast forward 5 years, Jeff and neighbor randomly email each other about some new music they are into.
Jeff and neighbor start dating again.
Neighbor turns out to be Jeff’s wife for 11 years now and all their friends refer to them as the “American Dream”
High school sweethearts, married, two kids with a white picket fence.
3. Name a well-known person you admire and explain why you hold them high esteem?
Dr. Michael Gervais, with zero hesitation. The man is a virtual mentor of mine. He studies the psychology of those who thrive under high stakes circumstances. Driven by the question, Is there a common thread connecting how the greatest performer in the world use their minds to pursue the boundaries of human potential. I cannot recommend the podcast Finding Mastery enough. All I can say is, you’ll thank me.
4. What is your untrainable superpower?
OOO! this is a tough one. I’m going to cheat and give you two answers. One, my sense of direction. It is almost impossible for me to get lost. Secondly, charisma. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told “I feel like I’ve known you forever” or “you really should be a politician” Having once been called the Oprah of recruitment, not only am I going to find out what I need to know, but you’re going to willingly tell me, with a smile on your face.
5. What are the three books that you would unhesitatingly recommend to others? Why?
Radical Candor by Kim Scott
Having worked in a toxic environment, I have always known the leader I didn’t want to be. Kim taught me how to trust being my whole self while caring personally and challenging directly.
The Wax Pack by Brad Balukjian
This book is my childhood passion for baseball intertwined father son relationships.
Replay by Ken Grimwood
It will remind you that life should be lived to the fullest, that you shouldn’t ever waste a single day. It will teach you about true loneliness. And finally, it will teach you about acceptance.
6. If you wrote a ‘user manual’ for how people should interact with you, what would be the most important point in the manual?
Warning, do not make vague, arbitrary statements with sweeping generalities. Is this really the worst old fashioned you’ve ever had? Why? Prior to right now, what was the worst one? Why was that one so bad and what makes this one ever worse? Also, please be timely, specific, accurate, objective and actionable. While we are at it, pointing out a problem without offering any type of solution, is just complaining!
7. What do you think is acceptable today but will become taboo tomorrow?
Sharing every detail and every thought of your daily life with the world via social outlets. At some point we are all going to regret it! Besides, if you didn’t post to your social media page for 7 days straight, do you think anyone would notice? Spoiler alert… they wouldn’t. All of us are not that special.
8. When was the last time you felt like an outsider in a group? What/How did you learn?
If fairly comfortable in almost any/all social situations. Revert back to my answer to questions #5 and my political prowess. #Oprah. That being said, the last time I remember feeling like an outsider would be… Company paid team building evening event. My first time in a role having direct reports. My team all hanging together, laughing over libations… I approach and…. crickets! Can you say awkward. Nonetheless, did gossiping or joking about me unify the team? Maybe… and if some, I’m OK with that.
9. What is your most prized possession? What’s the story behind it?
Wayne Gretzky was one of my childhood idols. I spent more money than I care to add up on packs of 1979 Topps and O-pee-chee hockey cards, chasing my purple squirrel, his rookie card. One random day at the card store, I pull a Paul Kariya Acetate card out of a pack and a Shaquille O’Neal gold rookie card from another pack. The next weekend I went to a card show, using those two cards along with some others I don’t remember, or just don’t care, I traded and landed my 1979 Topps Mint Gretzky rookie card.
10. What is the best purchase you’ve made recently? Why?
Working from home is not new to me by any means. That being said, having a home office is a very fresh concept. It took a global pandemic for me to realize, we don’t need a guest bedroom, what I need is an actual home office. Did I mind sitting on the couch with my laptop or setting up shop at the dining room table? No, not at all. Now that I’ve officially converted the room, I’m back to multiple monitors, a docking station, etc. What the room really needed was some décor. Those of you who know me, know I’m a PHan. Hands down my best purchase recently would be this art work! Yes, I was at all three of those shows. These pieces not only bring me joy, but (don’t tell my wife) I think my office is my favorite room in the house now!
11. Which fictional villain do you find yourself sympathizing with most? Why?
It might be the child of the 80s in me or the fact that we’ve been dealing with the pandemic for 6 months but damn Cobra Kai has me seeing Johnny Lawrence in a different light. I mean F you Daniel LaRusso. You move into Reseda and steal Ali Mills from him. Then years later you take his estranged son under your wing and move him into your house. Dude boundaries!
12. If you could invite any 3 people - living or dead - to your final dinner party before the end of the world, who would they be and why?
My Paternal Grandfather
He passed away before I was born and had a tremendous impact on my father, who in turn has molded me into the man, husband, father I am today.
Drazen Petrovic
The one and only celebrity/athlete I have ever cried over. I think I was 14 when he tragically died and he is the sole reason I became a Nets fan.
