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For some, the idea of a summer reading list evokes the panic of a highschool student trying to check the entirety of “A Tale of Two Cities” the night before school starts. For me, a reading list (no matter the season) is an exciting opportunity to always change into the best version of myself.
If you keep in mind that as a child you avoided summer reading until the last minute, I invite you to rebuild your relationship with reading. It’s not about checking a box or taking a quiz. It’s about embracing curiosity and the continuous technique of development that each one leaders must remember.
Cultivating a growth mindset
Professional development can take many forms, but effective leaders know that reading is an essential a part of their plans. Reading provides such a high return on investment because it is a dual-purpose activity: it increases knowledge while helping the brain chill out, recharge and restore balance.
The first step is to build a reading list tailored to your goals as a person and leader. Whatever your interest, regardless of how area of interest, there are loads of books to find. If you do not know where to start out, use crowdsourcing and ask for advice. I trust my network, and asking them so as to add to my reading list resulted in a dozen or so thoughtful recommendations that have helped me with my reading.
The first book on my summer reading list was a suggestion from trusted friend and franchise superstar Mary Kennedy Thompson, CEO of BNI. The CEO round the corner Elena L. Botelho and Kim R. Powell examine the 4 characteristics most frequently identified in CEOs. The quality that appealed to me the most was decisiveness. I followed this theme and delved deeper Decisive by Chip and Dan Heath as my next read. Reading one book can pique your interest and lead you to the next book, and the next, for so long as you are willing to follow the thread.
Driving creativity and innovation
Innovation requires knowledge and curiosity. Reading ignites each. Exploring a topic throughout the length of a book lets you immerse yourself in a topic and examine it from multiple viewpoints in a way that shorter formats cannot. When leaders give their brains recent information and time to explore, evaluate, and make connections, they create an environment primed for innovation.
IN Decisive, The Heath brothers advise that when faced with a problem, “one of the most basic ways to generate new options is to find someone who has solved your problem.” This is a great first step in solving the problem, but the guideline has even broader applications. When we seek recent information and a higher understanding of how other people experience and influence the world, we expand our own possibilities.
An excellent read
Deep reading does greater than just add facts to the body of data. It is also the study of storytelling, persuasion and psychology. Solid research shows that reading has a huge positive impact on adults.
Reading involves high creative efficiency and wider vocabulary. Reading is also closely correlated with increased emotional intelligence through empowerment empathy AND theory of mind. Additionally, research suggests that reading has protective properties for our brains as we age. Adults who read more, yes less likely experience cognitive decline.
Leaders who need to reap the benefits of these advantages should not limit their reading list to the business section. Exploring stories outside the usual territory is a necessity for creativity. Matthew Haller, president of the International Franchise Association, gave me one such suggestion that was a little outside my wheelhouse. Erik Larson Demon of Anxiety is the story of the tumultuous few months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the starting of the Civil War. I do not plan on leading an army anytime soon, but I’m at all times interested in learning more about interpersonal dynamics and the art of dealing with crises – lessons that could be applied to any leadership role.
Make reading a strategic priority
Stay flexible – read paragraph by paragraph or start with chapters that interest you more. Enjoy audiobooks while commuting, exercising, or running errands. Fitting reading into your schedule is a worthwhile challenge. Staying up to this point with the latest trends could also be a part of your job (looking at you, marketers), but consider the value you may add to your routine by swapping half-hour of scrolling for half-hour of reading every day.
Prioritize reading just as you prioritize other essential leadership development initiatives. When employees see that their leader is committed to development, they are encouraged to adopt the same approach. By focusing on development through reading, you develop your personal leadership skills and contribute to creating a culture of continuous learning in your team.