Reading exposes us to new ideas. It opens our mind to new possibilities. Most successful people (successful in life) attribute a portion of their success to what they’ve read. The ability to network with others and build engaging and lasting relationships is often centered around our exposure to culture and what we know. Though we might not all be well-travelled, we can be well-read. Reading is the vehicle that allows us to experience culture and life outside of our own world. It allows us to experience places, events, situations, etc. without ever having been physically there. And, we all agree that experience is a good teacher.

This summer, the Readers Are Leaders Summer Book Challenge will challenge all who will participate to read at least three new books. And not only that. I’m challenging us to read with intention. I believe if we’re going to solve our world’s problems, we need leaders who are capable of exploring different methods, learning new ideas, and implementing those ideas into our culture.