Renowned children's author and cartoonist Theodor Seuss Geisel or Dr.Seuss once said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. That reading is a superpower is reiterated by even the likes of Barack Obama and Bill Gates. In fact, Bill Gates stated, “Reading fuels a sense of curiosity about the world, which I think helped drive me forward in my career and in the work that I do now with my foundation." As a business leader, I concur that it is very important to expand your knowledge about the world that you live and work in because better-informed minds enrich an organization in terms of both productivity and idea generation. Here are some of the reasons why I feel there should be a culture of reading in companies:

Reading improves mental health
A 2021 global Deloitte survey, titled ‘Millennials and Generation Z - making mental health at work a priority’ states that millennials and Generation Z are making mental health at work a priority, especially post the COVID-19 pandemic. And one way to de-stress yourself in the workplace is to simply read a book of your choice! A 2009 study conducted by the University of Sussex has said that reading can reduce stress by 68%, as it relaxes the mind faster and better than listening to music or taking a walk. Reading also helps us to cultivate empathy and empathetic managers can inspire employees to perform better, validate them when needed, and offer mental support during the kind of challenges that all businesses faced during the pandemic.

Reading turns good leaders into great leaders
The common factor that connects business magnets such as the American entrepreneur Steve Jobs, Nike founder Phil Knight, Infosys chairperson Sudha Murthy, and the American business executive Meg Whitman is that they are voracious readers. Variegated reading across various genres like literature, science, or sociology can generate creative and innovative ideas in the boardroom. Every aspiring or existing leader can turn to books to improve EQ and Intelligence Quotient (IQ), sharpen problem-solving skills, increase vocabulary, and deepen the understanding of the world and of human nature. One of my favorite books is Philip Freeman's 'Alexander the Great', which made me appreciate his tactical prowess, incredible vision, and leadership skills.

Reading stimulates and feeds the mind
The English essayist, poet, and playwright, Joseph Addison once said, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. The National Library of Medicine, in its 2014 neuro report also stated that reading can stimulate complex networks of circuits in the brain which can serve professionals who are always trying to stay ahead of the learning curve even though their days may be saturated with multi-tasking, attending meetings, fielding phone calls, and interacting with the clients. Reading can nourish a mind that may be on the verge of burnout or disengagement and it can also improve cognitive functioning and enhance focus.

Reading fosters a culture of collaboration and respect
Most often in corporate organizations, employees tend to work in silos - detached from each other. Other than the conference rooms, they may not have a common platform to interact. Now imagine that your office had a book club and a reading room to help employees bond over books, authors, and fictional and historical characters. When a book is discussed, we hear different perspectives of the literary work and characters and learn to listen to different opinions, and possibly shed our biases and prejudices. Won't this camaraderie translate into better collaboration at work as well? When people share similar interests, they find it easier to get along with each other and co-create something that is bigger than their ego.

Reading helps us evolve into better versions of ourselves
In a big organization, there may be employees who feel inadequate and have social anxiety. Others may feel they are under-skilled and may feel hesitant about offering suggestions and ideas. This is where you can reach out to books for motivation, inspiring words, and a sense of calm and positivity in chaos. Self-help books may not solve all problems but they can incrementally change your outlook and help you to cut through the haze of negativity and inspire you to make wiser choices. Reading is also a safe space for retrospection, introspection, and course correction. The right book can empower us to discover our strengths, soar above our challenges, and look at the world with a fresh perspective.

One of the world's richest men and most generous philanthropists, Warren Buffet once shared that reading at least 500 pages every day helps build knowledge like compound interest. Well, that may not be possible for us all but starting your day with a good book is almost as essential for your mind as working out regularly is for your body. And to paraphrase writer Victor Hugo, "To read is to light a fire. Every syllable that is spelled out is a spark that can potentially alter the world for the better."