“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” – President Harry S. Truman
Knowledge is power, and reading is arguably one of the best ways to get ahead in your career. Through reading, you can become an expert in any subject, gain wisdom from some of the most intelligent people in the world, and develop skills necessary to become an influential and effective leader. Learn how making a habit of reading can positively impact your career.
Hone or Acquire a New Skill
Practically speaking, reading opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to learning about something new or expanding your current knowledge on a topic. Whether you want to develop skills, like effective time management or problem-solving, or pick-up a new hobby, like photography or writing, there are a multitude of books that offer great information and instruction.
New skills and hobbies don’t have to be directly related to your profession to help you succeed in it. Hobbies can make you a more well-rounded leader and help you relate to others. In addition to skills and hobbies, reading can also introduce you to a new industry or different sectors of business.
A pioneer in one of the most popular forms of media today, Facebook Creator Mark Zuckerberg said, “Books allow you to fully explore a topic and immerse yourself in a deeper way than most media today.”
Learn from Experts
You’re most likely not going to have the opportunity to hold a one-on-one conversation with thought-leaders and experts in various industries, but you can still learn from them. Many of them are not only readers but also authors willing to share their best advice and insights in their books.
Even in their biographies, you can learn from others’ failures and successes. We’ve all heard the saying: there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Start from the insight industry experts have to offer and expand upon it.
Gain New Perspectives
One of the best ways reading creates great leaders is by providing insight into other people’s experiences and viewpoints, expanding your ability to see beyond your own. To make well-informed, thoughtful decisions and lead different personalities, one must be able to see things from perspectives other than their own. Learning about others’ experiences may also introduce you to a way of doing something you had never thought of before.
Become a Better Communicator
In addition to gaining new perspectives, readers typically become better communicators. It increases their vocabulary, which allows them to articulate their thoughts and ideas more clearly. While it is essential for a leader to develop vision and ideas, it is equally as important for him to be able to articulate them.
Develop Confidence
Reading can make you a more confident leader. Full of insight and knowledge, you will be prepared to make sound decisions and lead with confidence that people are willing to trust.
Now that you know how reading can benefit your career, download MAU’s leadership team’s recommended book list to get started today!
MAU leaders from multiple departments complied a list of books that were most beneficial to their careers to share with you!
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