Today’s blog is not necessarily “spiritual” in nature, but in a sense it is. So hang in there with me.
I am very thankful for the men and women in my life that impressed upon me the importance of a daily quiet time with the Lord, which I have written about often. I am also very thankful for the men and women who, throughout my life, encouraged me to read.
My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Torpin, introduced me to books and shared with me the benefit of reading. She gave me the challenge to read something every day and put a historical book into my hands, and I was hooked.
I can think of five or six men and women who would stop me and ask the question, “So what are you reading?”
John C. Maxwell often says that “Leaders are readers and readers are leaders.” There are amazing benefits of reading.
I am amazed at how many of my peers tell me that they hate to read. I know a former superintendent of schools that told me she hated to read and almost never reads.
One of the things that I am excited about with young leaders is that they are developing the habit of reading. I love it when a young leader asks me, “So what are you reading and what books can you recommend to me.
Quite frankly, we are really without excuse. We can read on our computers, tablets, and even our cell phones. I much prefer the real thing in my hands. I managed a Christian bookstore in Philly for 15 years, and my boss would open up a box of new books, fan the book, and smell it and then would say, “This is going to be a big seller!” He was almost always right.
Too cheap to buy a new book? There are lots of used bookstores on-line, and you and use your library account to download books to your devices!!! Amazing!!!
Christian leader, Brian Dodd recently wrote about former Secretary Jim Mattis’ new book, Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead. Utilizing quotes from his book, Dodd shares the following 16 Benefits All Leaders Get From Reading (Studying) Books. I will give you several this week and then send you more next week. The quotes are from Mattis’ book:
- Books Allow You To Learn From The Experiences Of Those Who Came Before You – “Before going into battle, you can learn by asking veterans about their experience and by reading relentlessly.”
I love to read books by men and women who were leaders of ministries, organizations, and companies. With a highlighter in hand, I have gleaned valuable insights.
2. Books Accelerate Your Understanding – “By studying how others have dealt with similar circumstances, I became exposed to leadership examples that accelerated my expanding understanding of combat.”
You will be amazed at how you will find things you have read come back to you when you are a leader. It is a great way to grow as a leader
3. Books Are Gift From Those Who Set Aside Time To Write – “Reading is an honor and a gift from a warrior or historian who – a decade or a thousand decades ago – set aside time to write.”
4. Books Are A Conversation Experts Have With You – “He distilled a lifetime of campaigning in order to have ‘conversation’ with you.”
I have read numerous books about Dr. Billy Graham and have gained amazing insight into ministry and leadership in reading his books. I often thought, how cool would it be to have sat for an hour with Dr. Graham or Cliff Barrows to pick their brains. First of all, it would have never happened, but the books he has written and gave me insight into his life and decision making.
I would love to hear what you have learned about reading and get a list of what you are reading.
More next week.
Read, lead and grow,
Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick
Bwelte@americaskeswick.org
READ GROW LEAD 