One of my favorite quotes comes from Gary Williams in his book “Heart of a Lion: The Leadership of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, U.S. Navy Seal.” For those familiar with the book and movie “Lone Survivor,” you will remember Michael Murphy as the team leader who sacrificed himself to make the call for help when his team of SEALs came under attack by Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters. This short book by Gary Williams’ exemplifies the importance of reading in Michael Murphy’s life, and the quote is one Williams attributes to Lt. Murphy.
“Readers are leaders. Regardless of how you define success, reading is fundamental and essential for anyone who desires to be anything other than ordinary.”
When I have an opportunity to be in a classroom of young people, I always ask if they like to read. I usually get a groan and a no. That’s when I use this quote. I use this quote now to stress that regardless of what you read, there is education there to be had. Biographies, journals, and even fiction books offer invaluable insight that can be applied to life. I’m going to borrow four key points from Chris Hulshof, who is an associate professor at Liberty University, that reinforces the Murphy quote. Hulshof builds his points on Harry Truman’s statement that “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”
1. The priority of learning
A leader who is a reader places a priority on learning. Learning takes time. For many in leadership, the crowded calendar has already squeezed out every available moment. So, a leader who is a reader is one who has made learning a priority and marked off time to read. What we give priority to is, in some sense, a measure of its value to us. Allotting time to learning through reading is indicative of the value we place on learning. For many who’ve moved beyond schooling as the means of learning, improving what we know, or acquiring new knowledge will mostly come from reading. To that end, gaining knowledge through reading will demand the discipline of priority if learning through reading is to be accomplished.
2. The humility of learning
A leader who is committed to reading is a leader who is honest enough to say, “I don’t know but I want to learn.” A commitment to continued learning even though the academic degree has been earned is noted in the diligent desire to identify areas where knowledge is lacking, seek out the resources that will fill the knowledge gap, and then dedicate the time necessary to read those books. Consider areas of biblical studies, theological studies, or cultural engagement where your knowledge may not be on par with areas that are your strong suit. One way to become a better leader is to, in humility, own up to this weakness and then purposefully become more conversant in these places.
3. The enjoyment of learning
There’s pleasure in learning something new. Enjoyment and learning often go hand-in-hand. Consider the joy of learning a new hobby like photography. There’s a tangible sense of pleasure as you learn more about the art and skill of “picture-making” There is pleasure in discovery. The same is true about reading. Reading can expose us to things we didn’t know and create a sense of enjoyment. While this is likely true about things learned that are related to our profession and calling, it can also be true about things we learn that are related to things of personal interest to us. This is one reason why I enjoy reading biographies. There is a sense of enjoyment in getting to know someone that I have admired for things like their music, their influence in a specific discipline, or their historical importance.
4. The teachability of learning
Teachability is a characteristic that leaders like to talk about. This is especially true when it comes to hiring people. “Would you describe this person as teachable?” is a question they may ask a reference listed on the candidate’s application. Ironically, a character trait that is much in demand by leaders is often a character trait they don’t model. A leader who reads demonstrates that they are teachable because every book they read proclaims, “I am still a student.” A book allows a leader to sit under the instruction of a person they may never have the chance to meet because of proximity, personal network, or even death. In reading a book by a person of influence or significance the leader is saying, “I don’t know what you know about this topic, would you mind teaching me?” To that question, the book always responds with a resounding, “Yes!”
Our society has transitioned into something so fast paced that reading has become almost as obsolete as cursive writing. Everyone will watch a video before reading, but reading has been proven to provide better retention, while video serves a better purpose as a visual aid and reinforcement to what was read.
Whether it was Lt. Murphy or Harry Truman, the quotes are timeless… Leaders are Readers!
Blessings!
Troy P Zehnder 