Reading is a fundamental tool every leader uses. Whether you lead a business, a school, a nonprofit organization or simply your nuclear family, you become more effective when you are an avid reader. What exactly does this mean and why is it true?
Running a Household
Let’s use mothers as the most basic example. In many traditional families, the mother is really the head of the household. She is the one who juggles all the children’s schedules, gets them to school on time and to all their sports events and other extracurricular activities. If the father in this family works outside of the home, it’s more than likely that the mom keeps his business and/or travel schedule in mind to carve out time for the whole family to be together.
In this example, if Mom is an avid reader, she will be sure to read every communication that is related to the children: Booster club messages, Parent-Teacher Association announcements, cheerleading and pep rallies, football fundraisers, etc. The mom who is an avid reader will also read the local newspaper every day to keep up with competitions with other schools in the area, school board membership and representation as well as community projects that may affect her family.
Imagine the same mother as someone who does not take the time to read communications relevant to her role as head of household. Will the kids get to their practices, games and activities on time or even on the right days? Will she meet their teachers when needed? Will the kids be organized enough to keep their mom on schedule?
Running a Business
In a work environment, it goes without saying that those who read their communications will be the ones who problem-solve, take action and execute plans. Leaders in business not only need to read and comprehend, but they also are required to write in a coherent way in order to get the corporate ball rolling. This seems so basic it is hardly worth mentioning; however, the truth is that in every business, there are people who do not read their communications and hence, the ball drops or someone else has to pick up the slack.
Let’s take this example a step further into the world of network marketing. This is an industry where much of the traditional requirements of running a business are actually done by the company FOR the independent business owner. It’s actually one of the key draws to the industry, that is, you can be a business owner without hiring a complete range of staff; the company provides the accounting, business structure and support personnel FOR you.
Network marketing companies also communicates regularly with their IBOs via newsletters, recognition updates, virtual magazines, YouTube videos, etc. Some network marketing companies, such as LifePharm Global Network, even create marketing tools for the IBOs to use, such as product brochures, product videos, training modules, and company endorsements to accentuate authenticity and proven success.
But if the IBOs don’t read, what becomes of these tools and these communications? How can IBOs become a leaders if they don’t read the company updates, attend the corporate events and communicate knowledge to their newer and less experienced team? Check out the IBO leaders on lpgnyes.com. You can bet your bottom dollar they’re avid readers!