Teri Burgos-Gutierrez, Corporate Trainer

Teri, a wife to a dentist, and mother to 3 adolescent sons, trains professionals and writes textbooks in Speech. She can be reached at gutierrez_teri@yahoo.com

The Need to Read…to Lead at Work
By Teri Burgos-Gutierrez

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or
surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.”
- Confucius

It is an accepted truth that at the time when there were no televisions or computers, reading was the most important leisure activity. People would spend hours and hours reading books and newspapers and travel to lands that are very distant in their minds. The sad part nowadays is that, with time, people have lost their skill and passion to read.
In this time and age, a variety of exciting and thrilling options are now made available, aside from books. It is deplorable because reading provides a productive approach to increasing knowledge, improving vocabulary, and getting involved in contemporary issues. It is advisable to indulge in reading even just for a few minutes a day to be posted with current global issues and concerns.

The act of reading helps in mental development and is known to stimulate the muscles of the eyes. Reading is one activity that needs greater levels of concentration and helps to the conversational skills of the reader. It is an indulgence that enhances and develops the knowledge acquired, consistently. The habit of reading should never stop upon graduation from school. But rather, it should continue to be an integral part of our lives most significantly if we play vital roles in the business industry.  

Here are a few reasons why there is a need to read in order to lead at work:

1. Reading improves your mental process - Unlike watching TV or movies, reading books make you use your brain. By reading, you think more and become smarter.
2. Reading is a skill builder - Books provide information that goes deeper than just ordinary discussion.
3. Reading allows you to have a glimpse places and their cultures - Books can expand your horizons by letting you see what other cities and countries have to offer before you visit them.
4. Reading improves concentration and focus - Reading books improves brain power. It requires you to focus on what you are reading for long periods. Unlike magazines, Internet posts or e-Mails that might contain small chunks of information. Reading provides the complete information.
5. Reading builds self-esteem – Reading make you become better informed and an expert on the topics you read about.
6. Reading improves memory - Reading requires remembering details, facts and figures and in literature, plot lines, themes and characters.
7. Leading improves creativity - Reading and exposing yourself to new and more complete information lead you to have more creative ideas.
8. Reading gives you something to talk about – Reading will give you endless topics to talk about at work.
9. Reading reduces stress – Reading provides the best relaxation.
10. Reading can change your life – Reading will open your eyes to various interesting horizons and opportunities.