Leaders are Readers
By Michael Angier
"Reading can be a powerful catalyst for thinking; it has the
potential for stimulating wisdom."
A long while ago, I heard someone say: "leaders are readers."
It made a big impression on me and I never forgot it. I don't know who
coined the phrase, but I must have reiterated it to my kids hundreds of
times. They would usually groan and roll their eyes. I doubted that they
really got it.
But a few years ago, my son, serving in the military, shared with me
the long list of books he was planning to read on his upcoming deployment
to the Far East and Africa. He told me he was on a "life-long quest
for knowledge." He said, "Dad, I remember what you used to say,
'leaders are readers'." I just stood there beaming. They really had
heard me after all. Thankfully, all of my children are avid readers. I
hope that my own example of reading constantly and my lessons on how
"leaders are readers" made a difference.
Of course, it doesn't follow that all readers are leaders, but I
think we can safely say with little exception, all leaders are readers.
If that's true, then why don't more people read?
I've learned that only ten percent of the people who begin reading a
non-fiction book ever get beyond the first chapter. It's been shown that
people's earnings are in direct proportion to their vocabularies. That is,
those who have larger vocabularies have greater responsibility and earn
the most money-with very few exceptions. I know for sure that most people
want to earn more money, so why is it that they don't study more?
In 1987, I was selling advertising for a business magazine I published
and the upcoming issue focused on education (mostly adult education). I
called on a local businessman and told him about the issue's focus, hoping
to interest him in its wide appeal and convince him it was a good
investment of his advertising dollars. He told me that he had already
graduated from school, his education was over and that he had no interest
in education whatsoever. I was dumbfounded. I think I could have
comprehended someone thinking that-but actually admit it? A better
salesman might have tried a different tack, but I was so flabbergasted I
just folded up my things and left, shaking my head. Unfortunately, that
attitude is far more common than I realized.
I read recently that less than four percent of the American people own
a library card. Can you imagine? We have the best free libraries in the
world-thanks to Ben Franklin, who started them and the many others who
have contributed money to them. Walk into any library and you will see.
They are vastly under-utilised.
Abraham Lincoln used to walk miles to borrow and return books. He read
them by candlelight after working long, hard days. Do you think his
reverence and devotion to books made a difference in his ability as a
leader of our troubled nation? I do.
The good news is that people are reading more than they used to. Just
look at the bookstores and the vast number of books that are displayed on
their shelves. Somebody's buying them! This encourages me. However, it's
not enough.
I cannot go into a bookstore without buying a book. My personal library
is my most valued material possession and I take pride in adding to it
regularly. I have over 500 non-fiction books. I've even read most of them.
This should be true for any serious student of success.
If you are committed to be all that you are capable of being, I implore
you to become a voracious reader. A book a month will keep you even. A
book a year and you're falling behind. It takes effort, but it's worth it.
If you like to read … great … go for it. If you don't like reading …
great … go for it. It's just something that you have to do.
If you develop the habit of reading something every day, you will start
to enjoy it. You'll look forward to it, your thinking will sharpen, your
vocabulary will increase, and you will become a more interesting person.
Remember, leaders are readers.
© Copyright 1995-2001 Success Networks International.
Success Net is a worldwide association committed to helping people become
more knowledgeable, productive and effective. Their mission is to inform,
inspire and empower people to be their best-personally and professionally.
Free subscriptions, memberships, books and SuccessMark™ Cards available
at www.SuccessNet.org
|