Why I love reading
How reading makes me a better leader, communicator, and storyteller
Where my love of storytelling began
Before I learned how to write my own story, I found myself in the stories of others.
It started with a Story Hour at the local library. Every week, I’d leave with two books: one to read with my parents or grandparents, and one to dive into myself. It wasn’t just about fun. Those early reads shaped the way I think, dream, and communicate. They opened up possibilities.
Reading engages the creative side of my brain. It gives me energy when I need it most. It sharpens my vocabulary and keeps my professional skills fresh. It makes me a better communicator, storyteller, and even a more effective leader. I honestly don’t know how I’d do the work I do - helping leaders find their voice and articulate their visions - if I didn’t read.
And the memories? They’re everything. Some of my favourite moments as a parent were spent reading with our son: Goodnight Moon and Bear Snores On were on repeat. Watching him learn to read to himself: those were the magic years.
Some books etched themselves into my life because I enjoyed them; some because they are useful; and some because they made me think.
My recommendations
I know the summer reading boat seems to be drifting out to the horizon, but there’s a lot of summer reading time left! Whether you are 10 books down your list looking for more or just about to break the spine of your first summer read, here are some recommendations to keep you on your reading roll:
Flat Army - Dan Pontefract
Why this book?
It's a compelling call to transform hierarchies into dynamic, empowered, and truly engaged organizations; abandoning hierarchical "command-and-control" in favour of connection, shared ownership, and democratizing information and tools. Yes, even in the face of today’s trends of retreating to top-down leadership (which has its place only in specific situations).
One idea I can’t stop thinking about:
"Leadership for all," meaning everyone contributes, leading to collective ownership and higher engagement. This concept shifts decision-making and accountability across the entire organization, not just the top.
How it shaped the way I lead and communicate:
To achieve this flat and engaged workforce, we must invite all voices to shape decisions toward shared purpose. To make everyone effective in making business decisions, I believe in - and advocate for - the democratization of information, tools, and learning, extending opportunities like leadership coaching, mentorship, and development programs or assignments beyond the C-suite.
How to apply the lessons of this book:
Decentralize Decision-Making: Push accountability and decision power to frontline teams, fostering widespread ownership.
Democratize Development: Provide leadership coaching and advanced learning opportunities to all employees, not just top executives.
Insist on Open Dialogue: Actively solicit diverse perspectives from every level, ensuring all voices contribute to strategic direction.
Three Colors, Twelve Notes - Catherine Harrison
Why this book?
It inspires embracing curiosity and personal reflection for human-centered leadership. Through personal anecdotes and lived experience stories from both the corporate and entrepreneurial world, it shows the important relationship between the head, the heart, and the gut. Plus, Catherine is a leading research-based thought leader and mental health strategist for the music industry as a Canadian artist and musician herself.
One idea I can’t stop thinking about:
The power of "saying yes" to new experiences and ideas in a way that supports risk-taking. How do you create the space and environment for your teams to try new things without any backlash if they don’t succeed? How do you get curious about what they - and you - learned along the way instead?
How it shaped the way I lead and communicate:
It encourages me to lean into my reflective nature and listen to my gut - balancing intuition with data and bias recognition in my decision-making and counsel. It validates my belief that courageous leadership is about aligning words and actions with your values and owning them!
How to apply the lessons of this book:
Champion Experiential Learning: Create psychological safety by normalizing curiosity, risk-taking, reflection, and non-judgmental learning.
Align Insight with Action: Connect self-awareness to values-driven decision-making. Have the courage to integrate self-reflection and internal insights - what you notice, feel, and believe - with values-based action - words matter, actions matter more.
Lead Wholeheartedly: Balance data, empathy, and intuition to guide integrity. Make space for learning that engages the whole person - not just skills, but also meaning and mindset - so leaders can connect deeply, decide wisely, and act with humanity.
My final thoughts
Reading is for me both a hobby and a leadership tool. It sharpens how I think, how I speak, and how I show up for others. It’s where my love of storytelling began and it’s still where I go to recharge, rethink, and reimagine what’s possible.
The best leaders aren’t just good talkers. They’re good listeners. They pay attention to nuance. They’re willing to wrestle with different perspectives. Books work that muscle. They expand vocabulary, deepen empathy, and strengthen clarity.
Leaders know their voice gets sharper every time they engage with someone else’s.
Want to be a stronger leader? Pick up a book!
It’ll help you stay sharp, stay human, and stay connected to the bigger story you’re helping shape.
You don’t need a full bookshelf. You just need to start
Got a recommendation? I’d love to hear!
Do you have a favorite read right now? Send me a reply with what’s on your summer reading list and why! I am always looking for suggestions