This week I got reacquainted with an old friend. An old mentor, actually. It happened as I entered into an agreement with my teenage daughter, one which I had also done when my two older children were teenagers. I agreed to pay them each $20 every time they finished a book and gave me a book report. The agreement term is for their four years of high school, no limits. They can read as many books as they choose and make a considerable amount of money from their dad. The catch is that I get to choose the books. Can you guess the general topic? You got it, leadership. I have long been a believer that leaders are readers and that the person we become is greatly influenced by the people with whom we choose to spend time and the books we read. If we spend our time with people of integrity and read books that expand our mind and deepen our values, we are going to become a people who can make a huge contribution to our society and bless the people we lead.
I actually was first introduced to this leadership fundamental by the old friend and mentor with whom I got reacquainted this week when I began to compile the first few books my daughter will read. His name is Charlie “Tremendous” Jones. He passed away a few years ago, but his life was spent investing in other leaders and helping others to make a difference for good in this world of ours. My first introduction to him was through my father, who required me to listen to a series of speeches by him. I had had a difficult and challenging freshman year of college and was quite discouraged. We had a long drive in order to bring all my stuff home from college and my dad told me on day one that I was going to listen to what this successful businessman had to say. I had no choice, as I was captive in my dad’s van with all my stuff for a four-day trip. As we got rolling, my dad put in the eight-track tape (yes, eight-track) and Charlie began to speak of how life could be tremendous if we just approach it with the right attitude. Four days later, I was a convert. My life changed because of Charlie “Tremendous” Jones. In the years ahead I read every one of his books, listened to his tapes, and even got a chance to see him in person.
One of the first books each of my teenagers have read or will read is “Life is Tremendous” by Charlie Jones. It is a quick read and certainly dated, but it carries a great amount of truth about how we can be leaders in our own lives. I include it on the reading list for my kids because it truly can be a blueprint for positive attitudes and personal leadership. I want them to know what I found out from Charlie. When the book I ordered for my daughter arrived this week, I dove right back into re-reading it, and it still gets me excited about my life. If you haven’t read it, I encourage you to do so, as well as reading Charlie’s other books.
You may be asking if it has been worth the cash to get my kids to read these books. Absolutely. The two older have turned into exceptional adults and the third one is right on track to do the same. Is it the books? Both Charlie and I will tell you that the books have played a big part of teaching my kids how to be leaders, just as books have shaped my leadership skills. Every great leader I’ve ever known reads and reads and reads. Leaders are definitely readers.
Oh, you might be wondering. Did my dad pay me to read? I wish! I would’ve made a fortune! Lead well and READ.