Embrace knowledge!

India celebrates Dussera / Vijaya Dashami today – the tenor, focus and flavor of the festival are region specific. In South India the festival is observed for different reasons in different states. In Tamilnadu it is the celebration of woman-power (Shakthi) and Aayudha Pooja (seeking blessings for one’s work-tools / equipment), move to Karnataka and its the celebration of the victory of Good (symbolized by Lord Ram) over Evil (embodied by Ravan) and for Keralites it’s Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge) Pooja, the time for introducing children into the world of knowledge (children receive their first lesson in reading and writing from a senior member of the family). I have had the honour of initiating couple of tyros in the family.

So this is the ideal day to discuss the relevance and importance of learning (through reading, in particular –  you will agree that learning can happen in other ways too) in Management / Sales.

I ask these questions without fail at every workshop / class:

–          What books do you read?

–          How many books have you read in the last 1 year or maybe 2 years?

And the new age variant:

–          Which are the websites you frequent on the Web?

I specify that these shouldn’t be books/websites prescribed in their curriculum, if they are students, and the list should not include newspapers or magazines usually found on newsstands. It goes without saying that the time spent in the mailbox or on Social Media does not count as reading, unless you follow some of the links posted by friends to websites that provide useful reading material.

Be it a room full of students or business executives less than 20% of the audience would raise their hand (a few hesitant/half-raised ones aren’t unusual) and the number of books read per year would not exceed 3. For trainers the number is slightly better – around 50% read and the number of books would be 4-5. I rarely meet a person in a training room who reads regularly and voraciously. It is evident that the habit of reading is on the wane.

Just for the record I have read 21 books in the last year and I can name all of them, if you insist! They include works of fiction and books on the subjects involved in my work. I am sure some of you have read more and it would be useful if you can share the titles of the good ones in the Comments section.

Let me begin by offering these thoughts:

-No matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement

-What you have learned in the past is outdated and needs refreshing

-The world thinks, lives and works differently today and you probably aren’t aware

As a businessman or practicing manager you need to be in sync with the latest trends and advancements in the domain you are in – reading provides you insights into such events / changes.  Even if you are not reading about the latest there are possibilities of discovering new ideas. As a business owner you can get ideas to help your manage your business better and provide you with tips to grow it further. A professional or a manager can sharpen many work-related skills by reading the right books.

Some benefits of reading:

– New vistas are opened for exploration

– It prompts thinking in new ways

– Offers outlooks and ideas that differ from yours

– You become interesting company for others

– Your attitude changes – you are receptive to ideas

– You gain new insights and new skills

– Your mind is kept fresh and active

I am sure you can add to the list.

It’s sad that many of us deprive ourselves off this opportunity and lament later on.

Why take the risk? On this Vijaya Dashami day, even if you are a non-believer like me, take the lead; pick up a good book and embark on a new journey of discovery.

The world of letters is waiting with “arms wide open” – doesn’t an open book look that way? Surrender to it’s warm embrace.