The leader reads a fictional book because of its cognitive benefits on his leadership skills.
The year 2024 has been named “Brain Rot.” Word of the year By Oxford University Press. Leave aside for a moment that these appear to be two words. Brain rot is defined as “a presumed deterioration in a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially perceived as the result of excessive consumption of material (now especially online content) that is considered trivial or unchallenging.”
Or, frankly, constant scrolling can make us stupid, let alone that frustrated.
A book may not seem like the most creative gift, but introducing someone to a great work of fiction can change their life.
I learned this myself. After publishing five business books with McGraw-Hill over the past 15 years, I’ve had a growing ambition—you could say a desire to write a book of short stories.
I had no experience or training in writing novels, but I thought I could learn if I studied the best. So, I looked for a tutor to help me understand literary concepts such as character, style, point of view, and setting, as well as different types of structures in fiction.
For more than two years, for two hours every Sunday morning, I met with a brilliant literature professor who taught at Tufts University and was training Harvard students in the art of novel writing.
I had never read many novels before, let alone the kind of complex literature my teacher introduced me to. My new readings ranged from the classic works of Jorge Luis Borges, Virginia Woolf, and Gabriel García Márquez to the captivating prose of writers like James Salter and Raymond Carver.
One happy outcome of this extracurricular education was that I eventually published a few articles in bona fide literary journals. This is a source of great pride for me and confirmation from a cognitive psychologist and Harvard professor Steven Pinker’s point: “The starting point for becoming a good writer is to be a good reader. Writers acquire their techniques by discovering, savoring, and reverse-engineering examples of good prose.
However, the most significant outcome of my personal experience has been my invitation to read literary fiction among my executive coaching clients. This regular practice can have a profound impact on your cognitive abilities, whether it’s thinking, speaking, writing, and even work emails.
Reading fiction is good for you because it stimulates a number of neural processes. Here are some of them, along with specific writing recommendations for each:
Cognitive stimulation and neural plasticity
Reading difficult literature is a mental exercise for the brain, creating new synapses and strengthening existing connections. This is known as neuroplasticity, where the brain adapts and rewires in response to intense stimulation. The result is enhanced problem-solving ability and cognitive agility, which are essential attributes for overcoming leadership challenges.
Today’s leaders are expected to have an increased ability to work while managing high levels of ambiguity and complexity. Reading complex fiction helps train the brain to adapt and work creatively under pressure.
Recommended reading:
- Ulysses By James Joyce: A deep dive into modernist complexity that challenges readers with its complex structure and stream-of-consciousness style.
- Endless joke By David Foster Wallace: Known for its multi-layered narrative and footnotes, this novel pushes cognitive boundaries and promotes mental agility.
Language processing and vocabulary expansion
Reading fiction activates the parts of the brain responsible for understanding language. Exposure to a wide vocabulary enhances language skills. The more words are encountered in context, the stronger a person’s vocabulary becomes, leading to improved comprehension and expression. Leaders can leverage this to communicate and inspire accurately.
Leaders increasingly need to aggregate vast amounts of information, simplify complexity, and convey accurate messages to diverse audiences. Expanding your vocabulary and language skills enhances strategic storytelling and clarifies meaning.
Recommended reading:
- The Count of Monte Cristo By Alexandre Dumas: The rich, evocative language of this novel enhances linguistic precision.
- Love in the time of cholera Written by Gabriel García Márquez: A masterpiece that exposes readers to lyrical prose and emotional depth.
Critical thinking and analytical skills
Readers who analyze complex plots, characters, and themes develop their critical thinking. The process of reading activates the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for higher-order thinking and decision-making. This enhances analytical skills and enables leaders to make better and more informed decisions.
Leaders constantly face multifaceted challenges that require critical analysis. Reading fictional stories enhances the ability to evaluate situations from multiple perspectives and anticipate consequences.
Recommended reading:
- To Kill a Mockingbird By Harper Lee: A rigorous exploration of ethics and justice that promotes critical examination of societal issues.
- 1984 By George Orwell: A dystopian novel that challenges readers to analyze power dynamics and moral dilemmas.
Empathy and emotional intelligence
Immersing yourself in fantasy novels engages areas of your brain associated with social perception and empathy, e.g Anterior temporal lobe. This enhances the ability to understand and relate to the perspectives and emotions of others – a cornerstone of effective leadership.
Emotional intelligence is vital to influencing others and enhancing team cohesion. Leaders who cultivate empathy are better equipped to overcome personal challenges, build trust, and inspire loyalty. Reading fiction can deepen empathy, allowing you to approach workplace dynamics with keen sensitivity and understanding.
Recommended reading:
- The kite runner By Khaled Hosseini: A compelling story of friendship and redemption that promotes emotional awareness.
- A man named Ovi By Fredrik Backman: A moving story about love and loss, and building empathy and compassion.
Memory and attention
Books with complex plots and stories require concentration and memory by engaging the prefrontal cortex and Anterior cingulate. These processes improve your memory, which is crucial for absorbing and applying information in driving contexts.
Leaders need to maintain focus amidst countless distractions while managing multiple priorities. Enhanced memory and attention skills help you absorb important details in meetings, presentations and decision-making moments. Reading fiction can improve these abilities, allowing you to remember relevant facts more easily and make informed choices under pressure.
Recommended reading:
- One Hundred Years of Solitude Written by Gabriel García Márquez: A multi-generational saga that challenges readers to follow multiple stories.
- The Great Gatsby Written by F. F. Scott Fitzgerald: Vivid images and rich symbolism make this classic book an exercise in the brain’s visual abilities and memory.
Enhance writing and speaking skills
Exposure to well-crafted language provides models for effective communication. Readers unconsciously absorb language patterns, sentence structure, and rhetorical devices. Understanding patterns activates the brain’s capacity for language production areas, leading to improved writing and verbal skills.
Clear and persuasive communication is essential for leaders, whether when crafting a persuasive email, making a presentation to the board, or navigating a high-stakes negotiation. Narrative fiction can serve as a masterclass in storytelling, enhancing your ability to express ideas with precision, emotion, and impact.
Recommended reading:
- money By Martin Amis: Known for its distinctive and innovative use of language, this novel enhances clarity and style of expression, making it an excellent model for improving writing and speaking abilities.
- Garden of earthly delights By Joyce Carol Oates: This novel explores complex themes and characters with sophisticated prose that is direct and clear yet emotionally expressive.
I recommend the following strategies to maximize the cognitive benefits of reading:
Interact with the text by taking notes, underlining key paragraphs in pencil, or jotting down chapter summaries. This enhances focus and memory. I keep a record of sentences with interesting structures and unique similes that convey a complex point elegantly.
Try to read frequently, even if it’s for a short time every day. Diversify your reading choices to expose yourself to different writing styles, topics, and cognitive challenges. Consider reading paper books instead of e-books studies Suggest that this may lead to better recall and understanding. But don’t let that stop you if it’s easier to read regularly on your phone or tablet.
Result
Reading fiction can be a powerful tool for professional growth, not just a fun recreational activity, because it enhances the cognitive and emotional skills necessary for effective leadership.
So, the next time you find yourself scrolling social media—beyond the few guilt-free minutes you’ve allowed yourself—consider picking up a novel, or a collection of short stories. Remember, you are reading not just for fun, but to become a better leader.
