Leaders read non-fiction, histories and biographies, books on leadership, books on management, economics, predictions, technology, the law.
Leaders read fiction, novels and historical novels, classics and new voices.
Reading is the least expensive way to learn. While experience is not transferable, knowing what has come before gives context. When we encounter something new, we are walking into the middle of a movie. For example, as our US troops deployed to Afghanistan (the first time, a generation ago), many leaders turned to the writings of the Russians, the British and the Afghan people to understand the context of the Durand Line, the rise of the Taliban, and the assassination of the Lion of Pashtun, Ahmad Shah Massoud. Knowing the historical lay of the land helps to frame the current problems and challenges.
Reading fiction builds empathy. Literary fiction, in particular, has been shown to provide abstract social constructs. Reading another person’s thoughts builds the ability to imagine what others might be feeling, beyond our own feelings.
Popular fiction also has a place on the leader’s bookshelf. New ideas and novel approaches can come from anywhere.
In the popular memoir, A Year in Provence, the author describes an amazing example of how to influence without authority. He was refurbishing a house, and reliant on many tradesmen in the town. They hoped to be done by Christmas. Numerous delays made this increasingly unlikely. His wife planned a party for Christmas Day, and invited the tradesmen and their families. With the social pressure to not be the one to force the cancellation of the party, the tradesmen got the work done on time.
Read. Read often. Read broadly. Read authors who look like you. Read authors who don’t look like you. You can get a glimpse into what it’s like to grow up in another a country (Kite Runner) or live through a civil war in Nigeria (Half of a Yellow Sun) or any other hundred life experiences that you can not access in any other way.
What are you reading? What book do you return to again and again?