Many of us take comfort from leadership by the book. It can be reassuring to read concise, understandable action points. We read, consider what we have read, and take steps toward our goals.
Leading by the book can also feel limited, restricted. We go to a book to find the answers to our questions, direction for our leadership. Even when a book is well written, it may not answer our questions. The writer may not have experienced or anticipated the situation we are trying to resolve. Our concerns may go beyond the scope of the book.
We may be looking for leadership beyond the book.
Books can be helpful at getting us moving, or heading in a particular direction. Books can be written in clear, motivating language. Books may open our eyes to insights we have not reached on our own. By their very nature, though, books cannot address everything.
Books are good at getting us interested. The title of a book will pique our interest. We read enough to get us started. Some books provide a framework to map our goals and aspirations.
No book is perfect. No book can address every possible challenge or expectation. Leadership is a relationship, not merely a matter of implementing a system or checking boxes.
Books can help us begin. Even the most articulate, insightful books we have ever read are not truly finished. We write our own continuations to each book we read.
We take the best, most inspiring ideas off the page and put them into practice. Leadership is not really leadership until we apply it in real ways in the world around us.
Whose books have most deeply strengthened your leadership?
How have you gone beyond the end of the book to apply what you have read?
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