One of the disciplines that has shaped my leadership more than almost anything else is reading.

Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.

Harry S. Truman

Over the years, I’ve trained myself to become an avid reader. Not because I love collecting books, but because I want to keep growing.

Leadership demands growth, and growth rarely happens by accident.

I read widely ~ leadership, theology, biographies, culture, communication, and personal development. Each book becomes a kind of mentor. Some challenge my thinking. Others sharpen my convictions. Many simply give language to things I’ve sensed but never been able to articulate.

In a sense, books become coaches.

They sit on the shelf until you need them, and when you open them, they inform your thinking and stretch your perspective.

John C. Maxwell once said,

The secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda.”

For many leaders, reading needs to be part of that daily agenda.

Why? Because reading does several things that make you a leader worth following:

First, reading expands your thinking. Leaders must see beyond the immediate moment. Books introduce you to new ideas, different experiences, and perspectives you might never encounter otherwise.

Second, reading sharpens your decision-making. The more you learn from others, the better equipped you are to make wise calls when it matters most.

Third, reading develops humility. The more you read, the more you realise how much there is to learn. That awareness keeps a leader teachable.

Finally, reading fuels personal growth. And growing leaders are far more inspiring than stagnant ones.

If you want to build the habit, start small.

Don’t aim for an hour a day. Start with 15 minutes. That’s manageable for almost anyone. Fifteen minutes a day turns into hours over a month, and multiple books over a year.

Small, consistent disciplines shape strong leaders.

If you want to lead others well, start by leading yourself well.

Pick up a book.

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