The power of reading

“Great leaders are great readers” has been a consistent battlecry I would emphasize in my Level Up Leadership seminars. Though I have not done public events much these days, and much to the dismay of the many who would want to attend, I still do the same in my many private client engagements.

Reading has brought me to where I am today, in my craft and the businesses I have established. Writer and contributor Jeff Hayden wrote about how big companies today had their founders inspired and sparked by the books they read when they were startups. And it makes sense.

In the entrepreneurship journey, reading has proven to be a wellspring of innovation and creativity for many successful founders. It extends far beyond the realms of knowledge acquisition. It enhances cognitive abilities, fosters empathy, and reduces stress, making it an indispensable tool for anyone striving for success.

Consider the cognitive benefits of reading. Reading is not just a pastime; it’s a workout for your mind. It stimulates cognitive functions and has been shown to decrease the rate of cognitive decline, keeping your mental faculties sharp and agile.

Furthermore, reading enhances empathy, an essential quality for leaders. It enables you to understand and connect with people more deeply, fostering stronger relationships and effective leadership.

Research also shows that just six minutes of reading can reduce stress by nearly 70 percent. In those moments of solitude with a book, you find solace, a respite from the demands of the entrepreneurial journey. And a fascinating study conducted in 2018 revealed a compelling correlation between the number of books in childhood homes and adult proficiency. The more books children access, the more proficient they become in literacy, math, and technology for communication and information analysis. This underlines the profound impact that early exposure to reading can have on one’s future success.

Jeff Hayden says reading has ignited billion-dollar startups. Iconic entrepreneurs found inspiration within the pages of books, paving the way for billion-dollar startups. Here is the list Jeff Hayden presents:

• Jeff Bezos, the visionary behind Amazon, stumbled upon the idea when he read about the internet’s exponential growth rate, which stood at a staggering 2,300 percent per year. His reading opened the doors to the e-commerce behemoth we know today.

• Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, found both financing and a manufacturing partner by reading an article on Japanese companies that offered easy credit. This discovery transformed his athletic shoe venture into a global powerhouse.

• Chip Wilson, the mastermind behind Lululemon, recognized an emerging market trend when he read articles predicting that highly educated women would delay having children and lead active, professional lives. This insight led to the creating of a brand catering to this specific demographic.

• Joe Coulombe, the brain behind Trader Joe’s, decided to introduce international foods to his stores after reading about the rising percentage of college-educated Americans and the cost-reducing impact of Boeing 747s on international travel.

• Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, derived inspiration for her brand’s name from her love for the “k” sound. She stumbled upon the idea while reading about Kodak, which also had “k” at the beginning and end of its name. Her reading journey birthed a brand that revolutionized shapewear.

Reading allows leaders to make unique connections. These entrepreneurs were not actively searching for business ideas or solutions to specific problems. They were reading out of curiosity, following their interests, and making connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. In doing so, they transformed their reading into action.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go,” says Dr. Seuss.

Success stories continue to show and prove that reading is a common thread that binds visionary entrepreneurs. It is a source of knowledge, a wellspring of creativity, and a catalyst for innovation.

As you immerse yourself in the written word, you are not merely turning pages but embarking on a journey of self-discovery and limitless potential. Do not be surprised if the blueprints of billion-dollar dreams lie within the pages of books, waiting to be ignited by the spark of your curiosity.

I wish someone would say the same thing about how success is correlated to binging on drama series or non-stop playing of video games. But I can’t find it.

(Francis Kong’s podcast “Inspiring Excellence” is now available on Spotify, Apple, Google, or other podcast streaming platforms.)