When Chris Ferrari and Shridhar Shah, executives at first responder equipment supplier MES Life Safety, first heard about a new book club-style program at work, they were a bit skeptical.

"I thought, 'What are we doing? Like, how does this make sense for our everyday business?'" Ferrari said.

"Kumbaya was the first thing that came to mind," Shah said. "But after the very first session, I came back a believer."

The initiative is called Reflection Point and is billed as a book club redesigned for the modern worker. Colleagues gather to share opinions and practice communication skills they can use later at work.

MES Life Safety CEO Marvin Riley brought the program to his team when he took over the company last year.

"It's a way for us to bring our life experiences and share with each

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