Over half of Americans didn’t read a single book last year, and 16% haven’t touched one in five years. Meanwhile, we spend over four hours a day glued to our phones—Gen Z racks up six-plus hours. I want to assume leaders are more inclined to read, even if they only get through four modest books a year.
How should leaders stay sharp with a nonstop flood of emails, meetings, and social media?
The Lifelong Learner’s Dilemma
I am a card-carrying member of the lifelong learner club. At one point, I even considered pursuing a PhD—not for the degree itself but for the sheer joy of being surrounded by educators, ideas, and an endless supply of knowledge. Something about drowning in research papers and debating theories over bad coffee sounds... fun.
Like most learners, I constantly wish I had more time to read. I consume books, articles, podcasts, and the occasional deep-dive YouTube video to stay informed. But, as any information junkie knows, there’s a fine line between staying updated and drowning in an avalanche of content.
Take Warren Buffett, for example. The man spends 80% of his day reading. That’s right—while the rest of us are drowning in emails, he’s absorbing knowledge like it’s his full-time job. He even suggests reading 500 pages a day. If that sounds daunting, don’t worry—I’m sure he wasn’t including doomscrolling Twitter in that count.
Quality Over Quantity
At some point, I signed up for so many newsletters that my inbox became a digital landfill of unread wisdom. Writing two thoughtful articles per month is a stretch for me; I can’t imagine the pressure of churning out a daily newsletter without it becoming filler four days out of five.
That’s when I made a shift. Instead of consuming more, I focused on consuming better. I streamlined my information intake to truly valuable, insightful, and—most importantly—interesting sources. My inbox is no longer a shrine to unread content, and my reading list adds to my knowledge rather than my stress levels.
Oprah Winfrey once said, "Books were my pass to personal freedom." They’re also a leader’s pass to wisdom, innovation, and maybe even a better sense of humor. If one of the most successful media moguls makes time to read, what’s our excuse?
The Right Learning Medium for You
Here’s the thing: I’m not here to prescribe a specific medium for learning. You don’t need to plow through every leadership book written or religiously listen to Seth Godin or the latest Consulting Guru podcast. Instead, take in information that makes you better—a better leader, thinker, parent, or friend.
If your learning habits consist of the same sources, opinions, and voices, it might be time to shake things up. Try a new magazine, explore a different podcast, or pick up a book that challenges your perspective. The best leaders aren’t just informed; they’re curious, adaptable, and always learning.
So, what’s your next great read, listen, or watch? Make it count.
Thank you for reading.
Comentarios