To my pleasant surprise, in the last few weeks, I have heard executives sharing “books I’m reading” titles. Years ago, reading at least one book a month was recommended for any business person who wanted to grow into greater leadership roles.
Reports. Project and status updates. Annual reviews. Quarterly summaries. Research summaries. Performance reviews. Goals. Strategic Plans. Emails. News-feeds. There are plenty of daily business reading requirements. Keeping up with these required readings can be challenging. Prioritize what you read with these tips for saying “I will read this”.
- Reading this will help me accomplish my work.
- Reading this will change how I work today and this week.
- Reading this makes me happy, feel better, or distracts me in positive ways and uses of time.
- Reading this improves my life.
Tips for deciding NOT to read something. (Unless you are a supervisor who needs to manage difficult situations, then the read-it answer may be the correct answer.)
- This will make my blood pressure rise.
- This is likely to make me angry.
- This is advertising and/or time-wasting.
- Reading this will diminish my life and well-being.
What we read can shape the productivity of each day. “Put good things in to get good things out” is a mantra I’ve used with myself and others. Meaning that when we focus on good, productive, and positive activities and statements we are more likely to experience good. And, when we focus on the negatives, we are more likely to experience them. Choose what you read, listen too, and watch wisely. Your well-being depends on your choices.
Reading too much at work but still love reading? Join a book club for pure pleasure. Twenty years ago, I joined a book group reading slice-of-life novels so that I could expand my reading, improve my use of language, and enjoy non-work topics of discussion. This book club still meets monthly and ALWAYS talks about the book.
Back to the executive reading list. Here are some of the titles I’ve heard suggested.
- Overstory by Richard Powers
- The Advantageby Patrick Lencioni
- A variety of books by Brene Brown
- Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
What’s on your reading list?
Workplace: Managing the moments of our day-to-day business lives takes work. Together, let’s explore what issues and activities affect us every day (or some days) that we go to work. – Jana