Need a Good Leadership Development Tip?

I have started doing something recently that has really helped me in my own leadership development. Many of us read lots of books and in my case, I read a lot of business books so I can keep up professionally. I wish I had a photographic memory, but I don’t. So much of what I read is easily forgotten. And when I remember something I read I can’t find it very easily. So I came up with a simple, but powerful solution. I create an outline of what I have read when I finish reading, my own table of contents with notes.

 

As I read I underline things that are very relevant and put a paper clip or sticky note on the pages I want to make sure I refer back to in my table of contents. When I am finished with the book, on the inside cover of the book, I simply create an outline or table of contents of the most important things to me in the book.

As a result of using this simple technique, I have discovered several benefits.

1. 1. It allows me to quickly find something that I remember reading.
2. It helps me stay organized so I can reference concepts, stories etc… that I read, as I write my own book or train.
3. I have my own Cliff Notes of every book I read.

The photo below shows a sample of my own outline from the book “Building Conflict Competent Teams” by Runde and Flanagan that I just finished reading. Click on it to get a large view. It’s messy, but it works for me, and I hope this tip works for you.

 

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Mike Rogers

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Comments

[John Havranek]

What a great idea! I read so much that I have the same problem of information overload.

[Maxwell Pinto]

Most people have this problem. This is what authors should take into account before, during, and after writing books. They should simplify and summarize concepts, so that readers can understand the subject matter and remember the same. Time is of the essence in this busy world and the human memory has its limitations.

[Mike Rogers]

John and Maxwell, thanks for your comments.

I agree Maxwell that authors should take this into account, some do, but most don't.

John, you are right, information overload is a problem. We have to make it more personal for us and organize it accordingly.

- Mike