“Brain Rot” was named the 2024 Word of The Year by Oxford University Press. Leave to one side for a moment that this seems to be two words. Brain rot is defined as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging.”
Or, to put it plainly, constant scrolling can make us stupid, not to mention depressed.
A book may not strike you as the most original gift, but introducing someone to a great work of fiction could transform their life.
I learned this first-hand. After publishing five business books with McGraw-Hill over the past 15 years, I had the rising ambition—the itch, you could say—to author a book of short stories.
I had neither experience nor training in writing fiction, but I figured I could learn if I studied the best. So, I searched for a tutor to help me understand literary concepts such as character, style, point of view, and setting, as well as the different types of structures in fiction.
For over two years, for two hours every Sunday morning, I met with a brilliant professor of literature who’d been teaching at Tufts University and had coached Harvard students in the art of fiction-writing.
I had not read much fiction before, let alone the kind of complex literature my tutor introduced me to. My new reading ranged from the classic works of Jorge Luis Borges, Virginia Woolf and Gabriel García Márquez to the captivating prose of writers such as James Salter and Raymond Carver.
One happy outcome of this extracurricular education was that I did eventually publish a couple of pieces in bona fide literary journals. This is a source of immense pride for me and an affirmation of cognitive psychologist and Harvard professor Steven Pinker’s point: “The starting point for becoming a good writer is to be a good reader. Writers acquire their technique by spotting, savoring, and reverse-engineering examples of good prose.”
A more important outcome of my personal experience, however, has been my advocacy for the reading of literary fiction among my executive coaching clients. This regular practice can have a profound impact on your cognitive capabilities, whether it be thinking, speaking, or writing—even business emails.
Reading fiction benefits you because it stimulates a number of neurological processes. Here are some of them, along with specific book recommendations for each:
Cognitive Stimulation and Neural Plasticity
Reading challenging literature is a mental workout for the brain, creating new synapses and strengthening existing connections. Known as neural plasticity, this is where the brain adapts and rewires itself in response to intensive stimulation. The result is enhanced problem-solving and cognitive agility—key traits for navigating leadership challenges.
Today’s leaders are expected to have an ever-increasing capacity for work while managing elevated levels of ambiguity and complexity. Reading complex fiction helps train the brain to adapt and operate creatively under pressure.
Recommended Reading:
- Ulysses by James Joyce: A deep dive into modernist complexity that challenges readers with its intricate structure and stream-of-consciousness style.
- Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace: Known for its layered narrative and footnotes, this novel pushes cognitive boundaries, fostering mental agility.
Language Processing and Vocabulary Expansion
Reading fiction activates parts of the brain responsible for language comprehension. Exposure to a broad vocabulary enhances language skills. The more words encountered in context, the more robust one’s vocabulary becomes, improving both comprehension and expression. Leaders can leverage this to communicate and inspire with precision.
Increasingly, leaders need to synthesize vast amounts of information, simplify complexity and convey nuanced messages to diverse audiences. Expanding your vocabulary and linguistic skills powers strategic storytelling and clarifies meaning.
Recommended Reading:
- The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: This novel’s richly evocative language enhances linguistic precision.
- Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez: A masterpiece that exposes readers to lyrical prose and emotional depth.
Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills
Readers who analyze intricate plots, characters, and themes develop their critical thinking. The act of reading activates the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for higher-order thinking and decision-making. This strengthens analytical skills and enables leaders to make better, more informed decisions.
Leaders constantly face multifaceted challenges that require critical analysis. Reading fiction hones the ability to evaluate situations from multiple perspectives and anticipate consequences.
Recommended Reading:
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: A nuanced exploration of morality and justice that fosters critical examination of societal issues.
- 1984 by George Orwell: A dystopian narrative prompting readers to analyze power dynamics and ethical dilemmas.
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
Immersing yourself in fictional narratives engages the regions of your brain linked to social cognition and empathy, such as the anterior temporal lobes. This strengthens the capacity to understand and relate to the perspectives and emotions of others—a cornerstone of effective leadership.
Emotional intelligence is vital for influencing others and fostering team cohesion. Leaders who cultivate empathy are better equipped to navigate interpersonal challenges, build trust, and inspire loyalty. Reading fiction can deepen empathy, allowing you to approach workplace dynamics with heightened sensitivity and understanding.
Recommended Reading:
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: A compelling tale of friendship and redemption that enhances emotional awareness.
- A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: A heartwarming story about love and loss, building empathy and compassion.
Memory and Attention
Books with intricate plots and storylines demand focus and recall by engaging the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate. These processes enhance your memory, which is critical for absorbing and applying information in leadership contexts.
Leaders need to maintain focus amidst myriad distractions while managing multiple priorities. Strengthened memory and attention skills help you absorb critical details in meetings, presentations, and decision-making moments. Reading fiction can improve these faculties, enabling you to more easily recall relevant facts and make informed choices under pressure.
Recommended Reading:
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez: A multi-generational saga that challenges readers to track multiple storylines.
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Vivid imagery and rich symbolism make this classic a workout for the brain’s visual and memory faculties.
Enhanced Writing and Speaking Skills
Exposure to well-crafted language provides models for effective communication. Readers unconsciously absorb language patterns, sentence structure, and rhetorical devices. This internalization of patterns activates the brain’s facility for language production areas, leading to improved writing and verbal skills.
Clear and compelling communication is essential for leaders, whether drafting a persuasive email, presenting to the board, or navigating high-stakes negotiations. Narrative fiction can be a masterclass in storytelling, enhancing your ability to articulate ideas with precision, emotion, and impact.
Recommended Reading:
- Money by Martin Amis: Renowned for its distinctive and innovative use of language, this novel enhances expressive clarity and style, making it an excellent model for improving writing and speaking abilities.
- A Garden of Earthly Delights by Joyce Carol Oates: This novel explores complex themes and characters with sophisticated prose that is direct and clear, yet emotionally expressive.
I recommend the following strategies to maximize the cognitive benefits of reading:
Engage with the text by taking notes, underlining key passages in pencil, or jotting down chapter summaries. This enhances focus and recall. I keep a log of sentences with an interesting structure and unique analogies that convey a complex point elegantly.
Try to read consistently, even if it is just for a brief period each day. Vary your reading choices to expose yourself to different writing styles, themes, and cognitive challenges. Consider reading physical books rather than e-books, as studies suggest this may lead to better recall and comprehension. But don’t let that stop you if it’s easier to read regularly on your phone or tablet.
The Upshot
Reading fiction can be a powerful tool for professional growth, rather than just a pleasant leisure activity, because it fosters the cognitive and emotional skills essential for effective leadership.
So, the next time you find yourself scrolling through social media—beyond the guilt-free few minutes you’ve allowed yourself—consider picking up a novel, or collection of short stories. Remember that you are reading not just for enjoyment, but to become a better leader.