Key Leadership Lesson: Read at least 24 books a year

I’ve always been a big reader. Starting in college, I really got into fiction from the great American authors. I found so much joy in stepping outside of myself and learning about characters and people who lived experiences so different from mine. I grew up in a middle-class, well-to-do family, so seeing perspectives outside of that was really helpful. Plus, I just loved entertaining stories.

As I got older and moved into leadership, I shifted toward reading more leadership books, which helped me tremendously in my early days. I learned not only managerial techniques for getting the best results but also the soft skills necessary to get the most out of myself and my team. Today, I read 40-plus books a year, and I’ve broadened my scope to include books about human nature and psychology. For example, right now, I’m reading The Confidence Game by Maria Konnikova, which talks about how scam artists and fraudsters deceive people. At first glance, it might not seem relevant to leadership, but it’s been insightful in spotting red flags in business relationships, particularly new ones.

At the end of the day, not all readers are leaders, but in my experience, all leaders are readers. It’s important to always be inputting new information into your brain so you can make the best possible decisions when faced with tough or novel situations.

Some of the Books That Have Shaped My Leadership

The books that have influenced me the most—ones that I’ve reread—are Good to Great by Jim Collins, John Wooden on Leadership, and Shoe Dog by Phil Knight. Each of these books is different in approach but offers incredible insights into leadership.

Shoe Dog especially resonated with me because of how much struggle and failure Phil Knight endured before Nike found success. It took decades for the company to take off, but his persistence was key. Another part that stood out was how he moved his team into new roles from time to time to keep things fresh and ensure different perspectives across the company. And from a business process perspective, he emphasized keeping the company lean and quick in decision-making, something I’ve tried to implement myself.

Good to Great is a must-have for any leader. It’s all about pursuing excellence and continuous growth, reminding you to mind the small details.

And John Wooden on Leadership is, in my opinion, the blueprint for leadership. So many leadership books today are just reworking concepts that Wooden first laid out.

How I Fit Reading Into My Day

For me, reading is a priority. I follow a strict routine most days, waking up around 5:30 a.m., doing some breathing techniques and meditation, and then reading for about an hour before hitting the gym. I sometimes find time during lunch for a walk while listening to an audiobook. In the evening, I take another 30 to 45 minutes to read.

It’s all about prioritizing. You have to decide whether you’re going to watch random episodes of a TV show or carve out time to read. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a bit of junk TV, but reading is a daily habit. I tell people to find what works best for them, whether it’s listening to audiobooks on your commute, reading in the morning before the day starts, or picking up a book before bed. I don’t accept the excuse that people don’t have time to read. I run a successful business, have three kids, make it to their soccer and volleyball games, help out around the house, and still find time every day to read because it’s important to me.

How Reading Influences My Leadership

Reading widely—both fiction and nonfiction—gives you insight into how others have approached difficult situations. It provides clarity in those tough moments. A key benefit is also learning about human nature. I always tell people that great fiction is about the characters, and great authors have an innate understanding of human behavior.

For instance, Stephen King’s The Shining isn’t about a haunted hotel, it’s about a man struggling with alcoholism, and the hotel represents his inner demons. Having had family members with alcohol issues, reading that book helped me better understand what they were going through and how I could offer empathy and support.

For leaders, understanding human nature is crucial. Empathy doesn’t come naturally to me, but reading has helped me develop that skill. It allows me to step into the shoes of my team, family, and friends, making me a better leader. Reading books, especially fiction and books on human nature, has been a key factor in my success.