As a leader, it’s easy to focus exclusively on business books—they’re practical, they’re direct, and they give us strategies we can apply the next day. But I believe there’s something missing if that’s all we’re reading. Fiction, with its ability to dive into the human experience, is a powerful and often overlooked tool for leaders. It teaches us about what it means to be human, and that’s invaluable in leadership.

Take The Shining by Stephen King, for example. On the surface, it’s a horror story about a haunted hotel, but underneath, it’s about a man’s struggle with alcoholism, his internal demons, and the impact on his family. For me, it wasn’t about the ghosts—it was about understanding the depths of human behavior and empathy, especially for those facing their own personal battles. Having had family who struggled with addiction, King’s story provided a lens that helped me develop empathy, even in situations that are challenging to understand from the outside.

In fact, some of the most insightful lessons I’ve learned about people come from novels. Classic literature from authors like Dostoevsky or Austen may seem removed from today’s world, but their explorations of ambition, betrayal, and redemption are as relevant now as they were back then. These stories delve into motivations and relationships that go far beyond what’s taught in any leadership manual. Fiction, ultimately, gives us a view into perspectives beyond our own, something that makes us not only better leaders but also better humans.

At the end of the day, it’s about balance. Business books give us the tools and frameworks, but fiction offers the empathy, the understanding, and the insight into what makes us all tick. So, next time you’re picking a book, consider a novel. It just might add a new dimension to your leadership.