Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

I went to dinner with an old friend last week with spouses and a friendly fifth. Once we got past the introductions and health concerns, the drink order fulfilled and the food on its way, Gary sprang the question we trade each time we get together, “What book are you reading?”

I’ve said it before, Leaders are readers. Whether it’s the morning news, a bible, a business book or any document that will stretch your thinking, add value to your business, add to your personal library and hopefully find a connection to something you already know or believe or completely contradict what you believe…

We chatted about a couple books and you’ve read about here some I recently referred to like “Emotional Intelligence 2.0”. What escaped me at that time was the book I was listening to. With my wireless, noise canceling headphones (I don’t need as much now that I’m not flying every week), I can absorb the contents …without wearing my glasses.

I need to change my phrase from Leaders are readers to Leaders are learners or Leaders are listeners.

My belief is that you should outfit yourself with multiple modes of learning just like we do with shoes. My cowboy boots would look silly at the beach, my flip flops would be dangerous on my Harley and I prefer not to run in my wingtips.

Prepare for flexibility rather than adhering to a preference that may limit your opportunities (i.e. ever try to read a printed book on a noisy airplane or next to a nosy neighbor?).

So, I’m listening to “Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge. The nuggets I’ve mined so far include
•”Desire reveals Design and Design reveals Destiny.” as well as the quote from Henry David Thoreau,
•”The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”

Which inspired me to uncover a couple more Thoreau quotes that spoke to me this week:

•”Do what you love. Know your own bone; gnaw it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw it still.”

•”Things do not change; we change.”
Have a blessed weekend!