The school system in which I grew up in was not very good. No disrespect to any of my former teachers, but I never felt like I was exposed to the “classics” in literature. To be fair, I did not choose to look for them on my own either!
After finishing my MBA, I felt a new found desire to explore reading. Coincidentally at that same time I started a new role that required a 45-minute commute both ways. I dedicated my commute time to reading and started using audiobooks. I exhausted all the free books from my local library and got an Audible account. Additionally, I still read “real” books when I travel or have time at home.
I found that I really enjoy reading. I learned that Steinbeck is amazing and that I do not like Moby Dick, even though I could not wait to read it. I found that Stephen King is an unbelievable writer and that his brand of horror novels are amazing. Over time I’ve mixed in practical books related to work along with the literature.
But the biggest thing I learned is that no matter what the genre, you gain a little bit of knowledge from every book. Reading gives leaders new perspective. I always wondered what people meant by being “well read”. I now think it means you’ve learned a lot from reading and passed it along to others.
So, why should leaders be readers?
– To give us new ideas (what can we learn by passing the conch around from Lord of the Flies)
– To give us new perspective (what does the ending of Grapes of Wrath show us about perspective)
– To give us new things to talk about (I love to share the books I’ve read with other people)
The bottom line; reading is a fundamental need of good leaders, regardless of topic!!