If you want to be an exceptional leader fix your eyes and ears on this

​Leadership could be summed up by saying personal growth.
​OMG, think of all the things you’ve learned since you started supervising, managing or leading. I’m not talking about spreadsheets, reports, and contracts. You have learned soooo much about yourself, what makes people tick, unwritten rules of meetings and when to speak and when to hold your tongue. 

The learning twist in leadership positions
​When you advance into a leadership position, you suddenly must understand more than the mechanics of the job. You are no longer concerned with the intricacies of frontline work. You now have to discover how to get people to work together, how to motivate them and how to navigate the ongoing drama between co-workers. Now that everyone’s eyes are always on you, you need to figure out how to be calm and composed even when you feel like freaking out, falling apart or running away.
 
That learning for you is all personal growth.
 
A different kind of learning is required
As you work to develop your leadership skills and competencies, much of what you are doing requires you to look inside of you.

• You must challenge your assumptions and beliefs.
• You need to get clear on your values.
• You must learn to change how you talk to others, the words you use and the attitude you have.
• You need to figure out how to understand and manage your own emotions and be aware of the moods and feelings of your team members. 

Phew! That’s a lot!
 
How to fit the learning in
The question is how the heck do you do that in the midst of your busy schedule? Most leaders don’t have the time or the luxury to go back to school in the middle of their career.
 
The truth is, the most effective, influential and successful leaders have added learning in by becoming voracious readers.

Yes, they read books. Lots of books.

​On a regular basis, you will find leaders reading on an airplane, in their office, before they go to bed or first thing in the morning. They put reading into their schedule and make it a part of their life. 

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​Leaders are learners
Leaders are readers

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​3 ways to add reading to your already busy schedule

1) Make a commitment to read.
Just decide that you will add 10 minutes of reading into your day. Write that down on a piece of paper right now. I don’t care if it is on a sticky note, a scrap piece of paper or napkin, write it down.
 
I commit to reading for 10 minutes every day.
 
2) Create a habit of reading.
Decide when you will read. Preferably make it at a time you can commit to every day. That might be before you leave the house, immediately when you get to the office, at lunch or in the evenings. Now, set an alarm to go off on your phone or watch for that time to remind you to read. Yes, pause right now and set the alarm. Trust me, if you don’t you’ll forget to read or put it off.

Set the alarm now. Right now ;-)
 
3) Consider Audiobooks
If you're struggling to figure out when you will fit time to read into your day, consider audio books.

​The benefits of audio books

• You can do listen to audio books at times you normally couldn’t be reading. For example, you can listen when you are commuting, working out, folding laundry or cooking supper. It’s much easier to add in reading time when you are listening and still have your hands free for other activities.
• Often you hear the author read their book. There is something incredibly powerful about listening to Brene Brown’s voice as she talks about Daring Greatly. It’s like you have your own private training session.
• Even if you can’t pay close attention to what’s being said, it’s subliminally going into your brain. That’s way better than some of the negative subliminal messages that would be going in otherwise. You can listen to books repeatedly to really get the message!
• When you buy an Audible membership, you will read 90% more books than the average reader. That’s right; Audible members read an average of 17 books per year compared to nonmembers who are lucky if they read 2 books per year. Just think of all the extra learning you will have by reading 17 books per year!

More about Audible Memberships
You are probably wondering what Audible is. Audible is an Amazon company that provides the audio version of books. Audible is a monthly subscription service that allows you to listen to audiobooks at a highly discounted cost. You can download books right to your phone, tablet, or computer.
 
Each month you’re given one credit, which you can use to buy any item in their catalog regardless of their respective cost, rating, or length. The membership costs you $14.99 Canadian each month. You can end your subscription at any time, so really there is no risk! And, your first book is free!
 
Learn More About AUDIBLE Here
 
What should you read?
To help you out I wanted to give you a sneak peek into my library. If you want to know what I’ve been reading and rereading grab this guide and get my 20 favorite leadership books. In it, you will find the Audible links to each of the books starting with my very first suggestion Mastering Confidence. When you use this link to Audible, you will get it for free!
 
You can also purchase books on iTunes. Here’s the Mastering Confidence Link to the iTunes version.
 
Leaders are Readers
Remember, leaders are learners. Most leaders find the best way to learn is by reading books. Leaders are readers. Figure out how to add minimally 10 minutes of reading to your days and see your leadership success, impact and enjoyment skyrocket!

​Get your first Audible book free here!