Leadership requires a constant flow of intelligence, ideas, and information. There is no way to gain the basics of leadership without reading.
As a boy in elementary school, I remember with fondness the Weekly Reader Club, a newspaper of sorts as well as an opportunity to buy books. My parents, especially my dad, were always happy to accommodate my asking for books to buy and bring home.
I recently gave new meaning to that idea, creating a Wednesday Weekly Reader series, in which I post a portion of the SUMS Remix book summaries I create as Vision Room Curator for Auxano.
Reading is my passion – but I don’t just read for reading’s sake.
The leader learns to invest deeply in reading as a discipline for critical thinking.
Al Mohler
Reading, for me, is a chance to have an ongoing conversation with the author. The image above, taken from a new addition to my reading list, reflects the inside cover of almost every book in my library.
- The large green Post-it® notes are for writing down important ideas from my reading of the book.
- The smaller yellow Post-it® notes are for bookmarking important ideas in the pages of the book itself.
- The four symbols are my “shorthand” for use while reading, indicating additional action needed.
- I also usually highlight sections in various colors.
- And on occasion, I will write longer notes in the margins.
When I’m finished with a book – particularly one that has really engaged me and caused me to think – the result looks something like this:
I’m an active reader, working on becoming a more critical thinker, which will help me become a better leader.
27gen.com 