Leadership In a Word: Reading

Provided by the author.

Read to refill the wells of inspiration. – Harold Ockenga

A word about reading

Reading is imperative for every good leader. It’s how you learn, it’s how you grow. In short, it makes you a more rounded and better leader. So why aren’t more adults reading?

Marissa Levin, writing in Inc. reports that “Americans read fewer and fewer books each year”. She cites a survey by the National Endowment of the Arts which said only 43% of adults read any type of literature not required for work or school- a percentage that is a three-decade low.

What about you? What are your reading habits? In her article, Levin revealed the reading habits of the likes of Warren Buffet- 500 pages a day, Mark Cuban who reads 3 hours a day, and Bill Gates who reads 50 books a year. These are impressive numbers.

I realize that there are those who advocate for reading as many books as you can throughout the course of a  year. It’s an admirable goal. And I must confess, I am a helpless book junkie an avid reader. But in recent years, I have become more selective as a reader. My goal is not so much about the quantity of the books I read, but the quality. I choose to be more intentional about the return on my investment in the books I select. (You can find my books on Amazon)

Some years ago, I came across these reading strategies by J. Oswald Sanders for making your reading worthwhile and profitable. I’d like to pass his advice on to you.

  • What you intend to quickly forget, spend little time reading. The habit of reading and forgetting only builds the habit of forgetting other important matters.
  • Use the same discrimination in choosing books as in choosing friends.
  • Read with pencil and notebook in hand. Unless your memory is unusually retentive, much gained from reading is lost in a day. Develop a system of note-taking. It will greatly help the memory.
  • Have a “commonplace book,” as they are called-a book to record what is striking, interesting, and worthy of second thought. In that way, you will build a treasure trove of material for future use.
  • Verify historical scientific and other data.
  • Pass no word until its meaning is known. Keep a dictionary at hand.
  • Vary your reading to keep your mind out of a rut. Variety is as refreshing to the mind as it is to the body.
  • Correlate your reading-history with poetry, biography with a historical novel. For example, when reading the history of the American Civil War, take up a biography of Lincoln or Grant and poetry by Whitman.

Thanks to technology, our access to books are greater than ever. But when only 43% of adults are reading anything beyond what is required for work or school the challenge is as great as ever. Leaders must be ahead of the curve in order to succeed.

Reading quotes

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book too long enough to suit me.” – C.S. Lewis

“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you will go.” – Dr. Seuss

“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.” – Oscar Wilde

“Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.” – Francis Bacon

“I cannot live without books.” – Thomas Jefferson

A final word

As a leader, develop a routine for reading. Take the advice of Sanders and add some variety to your collection. The depth of your knowledge and your growth as a leader is the byproduct of the books you read.

©2018 Doug Dickerson

*Note: Leadership In A Word is my writing theme for 2018. Each week the focus will be on a word that impacts you as a leader. My style is new but my message and commitment to delivering fresh leadership insight to you are the same. It’s my sincere desire to help you grow as a leader and to partner with you in reaching your full potential.

Please follow and like us:

My Week in Costa Rica

Our amazing team at one of the local schools.
Our amazing team at one of the local schools.

Lose yourself in generous service and every day can be a most unusual day, a triumphant day, an abundantly rewarding day! – William Arthur Ward

I had the joy and privilege of spending the past week in Costa Rica. I led a team of some of the most amazing people to work with Give A Book that my brother, Carl, has operated there for nearly 20 years.

Our team, though small in number by design, was comprised of people from all walks of life including some special friends from Canada.

We had the opportunity to go into six schools to distribute books, love on the children, and see the world through their eyes. And what a beautiful world it is.

The children were so proud to get new books.
The children were so proud to get new books.
IMG_2303
Team members reading and interacting with the children in their classrooms.
Playing with the children at one of the schools.
Playing with the children at one of the schools.

The children, teachers, and workers in the schools were so appreciative of the books and welcomed us like heroes. Give a Book has also formed great partnerships with Peace Corp volunteers to assist in the efforts in the local schools. The Rotary Club has long been a supporter of the foundation’s literacy initiatives.

It was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis who said, “There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” And that is the driving force behind the work of Give a Book. Instilling a love of reading and literacy over the past twenty years has enlarged the lives of countless children and has helped hundreds of schools.

The smile on this little girls face says it all.
The smile on this little girls face says it all.
Yes, they love to be in selfies!
Yes, they love to be in selfies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The experience with Give a Book is quite unique. Each trip is customized to not only meet the objective of the organization but to place you in a specific region of the country where you’d like work. That can be in the Central Valley region, along the coast, or out in more remote locations including the Rain Forest.

In addition to being involved in the schools there is the special opportunity to be immersed in the local culture that most people never see.

Then of course there is the opportunity to take in the most spectacular sights and scenery you can feast your eyes upon. From the Poas volcano, Doka Coffe Estate, the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, etc. this beautiful country will capture your heart.

At the Poas Volcano.
At the Poas Volcano.
Waterfall at the LaPaz Waterfall Gardens
Waterfall at the LaPaz Waterfall Gardens
Our team at the La Paz Waterfall Garden.
Our team at the La Paz Waterfall Garden.

My week in Costa Rica was amazing. It was not my first trip there and it won’t be my last. I am planning more.

 

 

 

 

 

Team members working in the warehouse of the Give a Book Foundation.
Team members working in the warehouse of the Give a Book Foundation.

If you are as passionate about books and literacy as I am and would be interested in being on a team with me in the future let me know. I’d love to take you. Of course, you can work directly with Carl as well.

For now, let me encourage you to visit the websites of Give a Book and the incredible work they do.

Visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/GiveABookToChildren/

On the web at: http://www.give-a-book.net/

If you’d be interested in joining me on a trip in the future email me at: [email protected]

To reach out to Carl about a trip for your organization email him at: [email protected]

With my brother, Carl. His heart for the children of Costa Rica and his literacy work there is truly inspiring.
With my brother, Carl, (left). His heart for the children of Costa Rica and his literacy work there is truly inspiring.

 

 

Please follow and like us:

Announcing My New Book

book

One leadership principle I have learned over the years is quite simple: leaders are readers! In my new book, It Only Takes a Minute: Daily Inspiration for Leaders on the Move, I take you on a 365 day leadership journey.

Each day begins with a quote from a current or past leadership thinker, sports figure, actor, minister, political figure, etc. followed by an inspirational leadership thought by me.

Leaders are busy people – I get it. In this daily reader you will be challenged in your leadership thinking and prodded to grow each day. As the title suggests, It Only Takes a Minute!

Click on the on the link below to order your copy today!

paypal

Click Here To Order

 

Please follow and like us:

Will You Be 1 of the 50?

lwb1

Through the Leadership in Education Initiative (read more in the tab at the top of the blog) in our local community we have gone into many schools with copies of my book, Leaders Without Borders: 9 Essentials for Everyday Leaders, placing them into the hands of our community heroes: our teachers! The response has been fantastic and the schools are so appreciative!

I am writing today asking for 50 readers and followers to join with me to place more copies of the book into the hands of our teachers to better equip them with their leadership skills. As the teachers enhance their leadership skills they are better equipped to touch the lives of their students.

With your help we can replenish our on-hand supply of the book and be ready for delivery on the first day of school. At just $10 per copy this is a small investment that can make a big difference!

To say thank you for your gift and participation I will email you the PDF version of the book for you to download to your computer or tablet at no charge!

Place your order today by visiting: www.dougsmanagementmoment.blogspot.com and scroll down to where you see the book and the “Buy Now” button. You can safely and securely order the book via PayPal with your credit card. You don’t have to have a PayPal account to place the order.

 

 

duanogdmorris Presenting a copy of my book, Leaders Without Borders, to a local elementary school principal. His teachers each received a copy of the book thanks to generous supporters like you!

Thank you for your partnership as we support and encourage our teachers!

 

 

 

Please follow and like us:

New Book Promotions

I have great news to share with you! Now you can order PDF versions of my books, Leaders Without Borders and Great Leaders Wanted to download to your tablet or smartphone. When you visit my blogger website and place your order the PDF will be emailed to you. At just $3.99 each now is a great time to order your copies! Thank you so much for your support as we encourage and develop great leaders like you!

Go to www.dougsmanagementmoment.blogspot.com and order today!

lwb1

Leaders  Without Borders: 9 Essentials for Everyday Leaders – Whether you are the CEO of your business or serve elsewhere in the organizational structure, the boundaries of your leadership are limitless if you are devoted to developing your personal leadership skills. Leaders Without Borders will help you embrace the challenge of personal leadership in order to expand your influence. In order to reach your potential as a leader, you will also be inspired to not only embrace your passion but to identify it. Finding your one thing – your passion- as a leader- is life-transforming. Leaders Without Borders will provide answers to help you in the discovery process of understanding what your passion is.

Mark Sanborn, noted leadership speaker and bestselling author of The Fred Factor writes, “I rarely like easy answers because they’re unrealistic. I do, however, like books that challenge a leader’s thinking and provide him or her with new insights that prompt action. This book by Doug Dickerson is that kind of book.” The nine essentials from the book are: passion, priorities, optimism, teamwork, attitude, authenticity, authenticity, loyalty, kindness and legacy.

glw1

Great Leaders Wanted! In this second book Doug will answer the questions you have about leadership, building a great team, and achieving your best at your job, for your business, and in your community. The world wants leaders. It needs leaders. That could be you. Explore your full potential and become the leader that you want to be- and that your company, business, and community need you to be!

Writing in the foreword, Don Hutson, CEO of U.S. Learning writes, “In Great Leaders Wanted!, Doug Dickerson provides 56 short but potent chapters of wisdom and reflection that will help all of us regardless of where we may be in life’s journey or our current position in our leadership hierarchy…wherever you are on the leadership spectrum, Doug Dickerson’s book has something to offer you.”

 

Please follow and like us:

Costa Rica Update

CR8CR9CR10CR2CR1CR4CR5CR7

I just returned from my second trip to Costa Rica. I helped chaperone a group of high school seniors from my daughter’s school. There were 11 of us in our group that went down with an organization that my brother operates called Mission Volunteer Partners (http://bit.ly/1iGOZeo) that has been sponsoring trips into Costa Rica on a regular basis for many years. Typical groups that go range from school groups, Rotary, university, church, etc. MVP has a great team in place in Costa Rica that serve as excellent hosts and guides.

During our five day visit we went into three schools to distribute books. More than just distribute books, our team stayed in each school up to four hours each to play with the children, visit the classrooms and teach lessons, and to absorb their culture and world.

To be sure, our team enjoyed the breath-taking beauty of this lovely country. From our splendid accommodations, the LaPaz Waterfall Park, zip-lining in the jungle, and so much more; this was a trip of a lifetime for so many of the students.

The work of Mission Volunteer Partners is making a huge difference in the country. From book and wheelchair distributions, and much more, it would be an ideal trip for you to take into consideration.

If you have interest in taking a trip with your business, Rotary, church group, or school I would be thrilled to talk to you and help you coordinate and plan a trip. I am looking to put a team together for later in the year to go back into some of the schools and I am looking for up to ten people who’d like to go.

If interested please email me as I will be looking to set a date for later in the year – perhaps in the summer. I promise you this one thing: it will change your life and change your perspective as you look into the eyes of these children. The trip would primarily be one of going into the schools with books. Of course you would be able to enjoy numerous excursions.

Contact me to express your interest in participating in a future trip. Email me at: [email protected]

 

* You can also find and ‘like’ Mission Volunteer Partners on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mission-Volunteer-Partners/314528795303168

 

 

Please follow and like us:

Leadership Minute: What Are You Reading?

books

Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for. – Socrates

One of the hallmarks for growing leaders is that they are readers. It’s as you read that you can expand your horizons, be stretched in your thinking, and sharpen your leadership skills. It’s a great habit all leaders should develop. Reading stimulates the mind and can take you on a journey of a thousand miles without leaving the comfort of your chair. As of late I’ve been reading David and Goliath (Malcolm Gladwell), 7 Men and the Secret to Their Greatness (Eric Metaxas), and All In (Mark Batterson). What about you? What book are you enjoying right now? Leaders know the secret to personal growth and development – a good book!

Please follow and like us:

Leadership Minute: The More You Read…

read

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. – Dr. Seuss

It’s been said that leaders are readers. I agree. It’s one of the single greatest recommendations I can give to all leaders. It’s through the reading of books that your mind is awakened, your understanding is strengthened, and your knowledge is increased. Reading is one of the most productive leadership habits that you will develop. Have you read a good book lately?

###

If you enjoy reading the Leadership Minute you will especially enjoy reading Doug’s books, Leaders Without Borders & Great Leaders Wanted! Go to the top of the page to order your books today.

Follow at: www.twitter.com/managemntmoment

For speaking inquires email Doug at [email protected]

Please follow and like us:

Leadership In Education Book Drive

Front Cover_Leaders Without Borders1

Since the release of my book, Leaders Without Borders (foreword by Mark Sanborn), back in 2010 we have had the opportunity to partner with many individuals and businesses to provide copies of the book to area schools for teachers. Hundreds of copies have been distributed for which we are very thankful.

Why Leaders Without Borders?

 In the book I write about nine essentials of leadership that include; passion, priorities, optimism, teamwork, attitude, authenticity, loyalty, kindness, and legacy. These are practical and applicable leadership characteristics that will benefit any leader, especially teachers.

Why teachers?

First and foremost; it’s personal. In my formative years my learning was quite challenging due to dyslexia. Thanks to dedicated and passionate teachers I was able to grow in self-confidence and overcome learning barriers. And to top it off, my wife is now in her 25th year as a school teacher. I want to do everything I can to come along side these heroes of mine and support them!

You can help!

I am asking the readers and followers of my blog to consider today making an investment into the life of a teacher! It can be a copy of the book for your child’s or grandchild’s teacher (niece or nephew…you get the idea!) to sharpen their leadership skills.

Would you consider today going to my website and ordering one, perhaps two or three copies of Leaders Without Borders that I can send out to you to pass along to a teacher? Economically priced at just $10 per copy, you can help us make a difference!  Thank you so much for embracing the mission and purpose of the Leadership in Education Book Drive.

Here’s How You Can Help

Visit my website and click on the “Buy Now” button under the promo for Leaders Without Borders and safely and securely place your order via PayPal. I will get the books out to you right away!

The web address is: www.dougsmanagementmoment.blogspot.com

Thank you for your support of the Leadership in Education Book Drive!

Please follow and like us:

Leaders Without Borders

Front Cover_Leaders Without Borders1

Dear Friends,

Why “Leaders Without Borders?”

If you are like me, you’ve read hundreds of books on the topic of leadership. And like you, I’ve grown and benefited from them and continue to grow my library of leadership books.

When I first set out to write “Leaders Without Borders” I concerned myself with two essential questions as I began.

First, what do I say to the novice leader starting out? How would I communicate leadership principles garnered over nearly 30 years of leadership experience that could be clear and concise?

Second, how would this book speak to seasoned leaders? What would make it any different from what has already been said in so many different ways?

The finished product resulted in identifying nine essentials that I believe are pertinent to any leader in any stage of leadership development. These timeless leadership principles are crafted around stories that will inspire and challenge you and perhaps help you to see a timeless principle shared in a new light. They are as follows:

  • Passion
  • Priorities
  • Optimism
  • Teamwork
  • Attitude
  • Authenticity
  • Loyalty
  • Kindness
  • Legacy

I believe that these essentials are what make leadership work. It’s as you put these essentials into practice that your leadership can grow, expand, and make a difference not only in your life but in the lives of those you lead.

Since the release of “Leaders Without Borders” I’ve been blessed to partner with businesses, schools, and churches to promote these leadership essentials and to grow and develop future leaders and veteran leaders alike.

Writing in the foreword to “Leaders Without Borders” my friend and noted leadership authority Mark Sanborn, author of The Fred Factor writes, “I rarely like easy answers because they are usually unrealistic. I do, however, like books that challenge a leader’s thinking and provide him or her with new insights that prompt action. This book by Doug Dickerson is that kind of book.”

I would like to invite you to discover for yourself what makes “Leaders Without Borders: 9 Essentials for Everyday Leaders” a book worth your time to read and perhaps one you would consider sharing with a colleague, friend, boss, pastor, or your child’s teacher. Your purchase also helps support the Management Moment Leadership Foundation (http://bit.ly/WJ755v) whose featured cause is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Priced at just $10 per copy would you consider buying an extra one to share?

Thank you so much for your readership, for making your purchase, and for your commitment to grow as a leader. Simply click on this link to my website and click the “Buy Here” button at www.dougsmanagementmoment.blogspot.com

Going forward my commitment to producing sound, practical and applicable leadership content remains my goal. Thank you for your support!

Leading with you!

Doug

Please follow and like us: