Guest post by University Alliance
Reading often gets lost in the busy shuffle of everyday life. People tend to quickly scan a document, get the necessary information and then move on to the next task. Many people think that they do not have time to read, when the truth is that they just aren’t making it a priority. Reading can have a huge impact on your leadership skills if you’re willing to make it a regular part of day-to-day life.
Think of the last five things you read. How long ago was it? Were they different kinds of material? Was any of it related to your field? Was all of it related to your field? These questions are great for evaluating your reading habits. If you haven’t read anything in months, start making more of an effort to read regularly. If you only read one particular subject, consider diversifying your reading material.
Many industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs are well-read. Why? The simple answer is that reading keeps you informed. If you go through your life never reading about the industry you work in, how can you expect to broaden your knowledge-base and advance within a company? Staying informed about trends in your industry can help you set priorities for yourself and your team.
Consider checking out industry blogs to find out what is working for others in your community. You can make useful connections by interacting with people from your field. Another benefit to reading blogs is getting early access to new technologies or products. Reading posts and reviews about the latest technology could help you decide if a new program could benefit your employees.
Reading can also help you become more creative. Don’t limit yourself to strictly industry-related items. Reading for leisure can provide new perspectives, which may help with generating ideas. Older material and classic novels can be enlightening because there is a lot to be learned from the past. Don’t be afraid to pick up something that you would typically never read. Creativity is an important quality in leaders, and you never know what might spark an idea.
Think of the library or a bookstore as a gateway to countless mentors. There are so many interesting people in the world that you might never have the chance to meet. Reading gives you access to scholars, politicians, experts and all sorts of creative minds. Learn from them and use this knowledge to teach your employees.
Another benefit of reading is an improved vocabulary. As a leader, your audience will expect you to speak and write well. Reading will improve these areas exponentially. Reading regularly can lead to better sentence structure and the ability to communicate your ideas more clearly.
If you aren’t a frequent reader, start with a simple goal. Make it a goal to read at least one blog post per day, or try to read a new book every other month. Make a few notes about what you learned from the material. As you continue to make reading a part of your everyday life, you’ll soon realize how much you’ve gained from the experience.
This post was provided by University Alliance and submitted on behalf of Villanova University’s online programs. Villanova offers several programs including organizational leadership, HR training, contract management and more.
