Readers are Leaders: reading an effective tool of leadership

Dwindling level of literacy has brought about these statement “Readers are Leaders” therefore advocating the importance and relevance of a good reading habit which definitely cannot be overemphasized or undermine in any society because of its effectiveness toward societal growth and development.  According to Oxford dictionary meaning, Readers’ are people who read publication(s) or a piece of gathered information”, while Leaders’ are individuals who lead, conducts in a certain field in term of excellence, success etc. And also have authority to direct. Haven gotten the grass-root of the following terminologies, the question remains;

(1)   How often do you as an individual read?

(2)   What is the content of what you read?

(3)   What is your philosophy toward reading?

Answering the above questions diligently and sincerely will enable you become a successful reader, in turn makes you an effective leader. Considering these questions critically and following its approach closely, will enable you have a mastering of a good reading habit.

(1). How often do you as an individual read? Cultivating a good reading habit will amass you with wealth of knowledge needed as a leader or one who aspires to be a leader. Accomplishing this might seem unrealistic as individuals, especially as youths who are faced with lot of distractions. However setting up a realistic reading schedule is one step of buying yourself a good reading habit that will help you advance intellectually in life and in your course of leadership.

These steps involves practical lessons and sincere assessment of your reading habit, with a lay down schedule drawn by yourself (how long can you read and comprehend), this will enable you know your limit and where necessary adjustment of reading are needed. Striving to read at least two pages of good books or publications of interest in a day, in accordance to your schedule; be diligent not to miss any day scheduled for reading, this will serve as a daily routine which will eventually be a habit on the long-run. Also key-in to using your technological devices (mobile phones) as a reminder (setting a daily alarm for reading). Following this steps closely, will help you read wide than your early scope thus making you more versed and grounded intellectually in all facet of life. 

(2). What is the content of what you read? It’s one good thing to read but it’s another to know what to read and where to find what to read. The invention of the internet have caused an explosion of information, making it abundant, which has led to difficulty on the part of readers’ who are said to be leaders’ to make a right choice of what to read. The inability to make the right decision of what to read or where to find what to read pose a great challenge, this evidence definitely is detrimental to individuals who has the aspiration of becoming a leader or even a leader; This will make s/he unstable in all ramification (decision making, conducting, directing and using authority positively etc.) in his/her course of leadership. A library now showcases in the picture, many of you might have the notion that libraries has become irrelevance due to the advent of the internet but believe you me; it is one creditable place to find what to read in advancement of knowledge as a reader. It house collections of publications and books that are scholarly review and well documented. This does not overwrite information found on the internet as obsolete, unreliable and not credible but as a reader, bear in mind that not all information published on the internet are properly documented and review before publishing; bearing this in mind will help you make the right decision of what to read and where to find what to read. If you confused as a “Starter” in terms of having or cultivating a good reading habit, consult a librarian or any individual who has excel due to a good reading habit in difference fields in life (teachers, counselors and lecturers etc.). Always bear in mind whatever you as a reader take-in due to the course of reading, will affect your physiological sense of reasoning either in a positive or a negative way. This becomes a necessity for you to watch out on, what you feed yourselves with; be it “Propaganda” or the so-called “Facts”.

(3).What is your philosophy toward reading? As an individual, how do you view reading? Time consuming? Enjoyable? Or a course that is compulsory so as to earn a living? Well the answers will be best answered by you, as an individual. Nevertheless, reading should be seen as an important commodity to possess and treasure, especially a good reading habit which will enable you strive in your course of leadership. Your philosophical state of mind matters as it awaken your mind and sense of reasoning toward the act of reading which will reflect in your reading habit, its either makes you strive in a good reading habit or otherwise.

In conclusion, a good reading habit must be cultivated and must be advocated for; knowing that these will enable individuals amass knowledge to be used in upgrading their society, promoting cultural values and advancement of themselves intellectually in all areas of life. According to a wise statement “know little of everything (you can’t fully know all)”, this only can be accomplished by reading. Just in-case you have gotten to this point of your reading, its means you are a Reader and definitely a Leader.