According to John Coleman, ‘broad reading habits are often a defining characteristic of our greatest leaders’. Actually reading has shown to lead many benefits in leadership development: it improves communication, emotional intelligence and organizational effectiveness and reduces stress.
Unfortunately, nowadays business people seems to be reading less, maybe because they are not sufficiently convinced of the importance of reading, they don’t know what they should read or because they think they don’t have the time.
In this article on Lifehack, Joe Vennare identifies some 15 best leadership books especially would-be leaders need to read to define leadership and how applied it, communicate and motivate teamwork, and keep going on.
Let me guess… the author has put ‘the art of war’ of Sun Tzu in the list as well. 😉
Seriously speaking, I find this to be an undeniable truth.
Since I finally restarted reading, I feel definately better, in terms of stress and ability to communicate (anything) to my interlocutor. More precise, more ‘responding’.
And I see this helps him as well. And of course, this helps me.
It’s a mutual benefit.
There was once one american leader who wanted to forge a ‘Great society’. I’m not sure he suggested starting book-reading to his people, however.
Though it would be a good advice nonetheless.
Then, of course, it also depends on WHAT one is reading… the intellectual responsability it’s always required.