It’s often been said that a good reader makes a great leader. Have you ever wondered why “reading” has so commonly been linked to “leading”? It was Mark Twain afterall who said, “The man who does not read good books is no better than the man who can’t.”
Here is why you should pick up that book today and read to lead!
There is no end to knowledge
The best way to learn something new is through practical experience and reading. Reading extensively adds to your world of knowledge, knowing more about different areas of interest reflects on your professional growth. A good leader is more often than not also well-read. Reading experiences of successful people via their biographies can also help “lead by example”. As Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) told us, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.”
Reading opens your mind
When you read about new things, you tend to adopt a more open minded view of things. It helps broaden your perspective on life and this is important to be a leader.
Improves your ability to communicate
Communication is key in business and inter-personal relationships. The better your command over language and speech, the more productive it will help you be at the workplace. Reading improves your grasp on language.
Generates ideas
How do you enhance your creativity and capacity to think out of the box? Reading a lot helps plant the ability to ideate more. Sometimes all it takes is an idea to make it big. Some of the world’s most famous CEO’s have private libraries that house classics or series of books based on their core areas of interest. For instance, Steve Jobs had a wide collection of Willaim Blake’s works.
Helps you unwind
Some of the world’s most famous business leaders are known to unwind over a good book after a hectic day. The comfort a book brings is unparalleled to most others. Reading is afterall one of the few habits that help you be alone with your thoughts while keeping your mind actively engaged.