Leaders are readers.
Did you know that reading literary fiction helps our ability to understand others' mental states (Theory of Mind). This increased understanding of others' perspectives can contribute to open-mindedness and greater tolerance for ambiguity in real-world situations.
Reading not only increases knowledge but also develops empathy, expands perspective, improves attention span, resists mental decline, and enhances strategic thinking.
With such compelling benefits, it's a smart move to start a book club at work
Here’s how:
Group Size: Keep It Intimate
Aim for a group size of no more than six members, or create pods of six if your team is larger. This ensures everyone has a chance to speak and share their insights or questions, fostering a richer and more inclusive discussion.
Timing: Monthly Is The Goldilocks Frequency
Most people find it very difficult to read, so even monthly can be a tall order. However, it’s the regularity that will help develop the habit.
Choosing Your Books: Use A Process
Start with themes: You can call for themes from the group members, that way it will be relevant and meaningful for them. Some themes to consider are: collaboration, creativity, compassion, strategic thinking, productivity, decision-making.
Include FICTION: Fiction creates biochemical reactions in the brain. In a good story, you experience cortisol with rising tension, then oxytocin with the story resolution. If it’s a well-crafted story, then it may leave you with more questions than answers as you wrestle with the ideas deployed in fiction form.
Get suggestions: I will always make offerings in this e-journal! And you can also ask Chat GPT for suggestions.
Vet your books: check a title with Goodreads to see what other readers have found useful or not.
BONUS: How to use Chat GPT to assist with your Business Book Club. Ask it for:
Suggestions for your particular theme.
Summary of the plot and themes.
Summary of reviews, critiques and praise.
Guiding questions for the book club.
Now that you have the logistics organised, let’s talk about some pitfalls to avoid while running the discussion.
The Facilitator
Nominate someone as the conversation guide. You can rotate the role to keep the experience fresh.
Set the ground rules: no hogs, no logs
You want to hear from everyone. You can use a timer or talking chips to ensure everyone gets a chance to speak if you have a particularly rambunctious group. Otherwise, the round robin of going one person at a time in a sequence can take care of this issue.
What to talk about
For questions, you can always start with: “what did you think and feel while reading this book, or afterwards?” For more questions, ask Chat GPT for suggestions.
When people disagree
Books can be provocative, and so can opinions! If you have a controversial book, then make sure you say at the beginning of the meeting that we are to respect each other’s opinions, and be curious about someone else’s point of view. Encourage your group to reply with a question instead of a statement if they feel uncomfortable.
Try it out!
I run a four hour workshop called, The Power of Perspective - How to build empathy in teams. I use a combination of strategic thinking and short fiction to deepen understanding of team dynamics and conflict, while building better listening skills. Email me zoe AT zoerouth.com if you’d like to know more.
Happy reading!
P.S. Want all my book recommendations?
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to explore what's coming and what it means for leadership of the future.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run 6 marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.