The Power of Reading in Indirect Leadership: How to Read Better to Lead Better

Indirect leadership requires a set of skills that are not learned through experience alone, but rather through continuous investment in personal development. Among all the tools available for a leader’s growth, strategic reading stands out as one of the most effective habits for gaining perspective, improving communication and influencing without resorting to direct authority.

However, reading for the sake of reading is not enough. For reading to truly be a pillar of indirect leadership , it is necessary to select strategic books and apply effective techniques to absorb and apply knowledge in a practical way.

In this article, I explore:

✅ Essential literature on indirect leadership (with short summaries of each book);

✅ Techniques for efficient reading (explained in detail);

✅ Practical benefits for current and future leaders.

If you want to turn your reading into a powerful leadership tool, keep reading!

Essential Books for Indirect Leaders

These books cover the foundations of influence, communication, team development and coaching , which are the pillars of indirect leadership.

📚 1. "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" – Robert Cialdini

Summary: This classic of applied psychology explores six fundamental principles of persuasion that can be used ethically to influence people:

1️⃣ Reciprocity – People tend to reciprocate favors or positive gestures.

2️⃣ Commitment and consistency – Once they make a commitment, people want to remain consistent.

3️⃣ Social proof – We follow the actions of others, especially in situations of uncertainty.

4️⃣ Authority – We tend to trust figures who demonstrate knowledge or status.

5️⃣ Affinity – We like to say “yes” to those who make us feel valued and understood.

6️⃣ Scarcity – We value more what is rare or limited.

🔎 Practical application in indirect leadership: ✔ Influencing teams without imposing direct orders✔ Creating more persuasive and convincing messages✔ Understanding how people make decisions and use mental shortcuts

📚 2. "Leaders Eat Last" – Simon Sinek

Summary: Sinek argues that great leaders put the needs of their teams above their own , creating an environment of psychological safety where innovation and commitment flourish. The book explores the importance of human biology in leadership , explaining how brain chemicals (dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin) affect motivation and trust in teams.

🔎 Practical application in indirect leadership: ✔ Create environments of trust and emotional safety✔ Improve team retention and motivation✔ Lead by example, showing genuine care for people

📚 3. "The Coaching Habit" – Michael Bungay Stanier

Summary: This book teaches the art of leading through questions rather than answers. Stanier presents seven powerful questions that any leader can use to guide productive conversations, challenge perspectives, and foster autonomy in their team.

Some key questions include:

🟢 “What really matters here?” – To focus on the root of the problem.

🟢 "And what else?" – To avoid superficial answers.

🟢 "How can I help?" – To offer support without taking control.

🔎 Practical application in indirect leadership: ✔ Develop more autonomous and responsible teams✔ Create an environment of growth and development✔ Improve the quality of conversations and feedback

📚 4. "Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter" – Liz Wiseman

Summary: Wiseman explores the difference between leaders who multiply talent and leaders who stifle it . Multiplier leaders see the potential in people and create conditions for them to grow, while "reducer" leaders centralize power and limit the development of their teams.

🔎 Practical application in indirect leadership: ✔ Create high-performance teams without micromanagement✔ Develop autonomy and innovation in the team✔ Inspire others to give their best

Techniques for More Efficient Reading

To turn reading into a real growth habit , it is essential to learn how to read efficiently. Here are some practical techniques that can increase your ability to absorb and retain knowledge.

📖 1. Active Reading

💡 What is it? Unlike passive reading, where we just skim the text, active reading involves taking notes, summaries and critical reflections.

🛠 How to apply?

✔ Underline or highlight main ideas

✔ Write questions in the margin of the text

✔ Make a personal summary at the end of each chapter

🔎 Benefit: Increases understanding and facilitates the application of knowledge.

📖 2. SQ3R Technique

💡 What is it? A structured reading method to ensure that information is absorbed and remembered:

1️⃣ Survey – Skim through titles, subtitles, and graphics before reading.

2️⃣ Question – Ask yourself “What do I want to learn?” before you start.

3️⃣ Read – Read carefully, focusing on the answers to the questions.

4️⃣ Recite (Rephrase) – Summarize the key points in your own words.

5️⃣ Review – Revisit your notes after a few days to reinforce your memory.

🔎 Benefit: Increases information retention and avoids superficial reading.

📖 3. Intentional Reading

💡 What is it? Before opening a book, define a clear goal for reading.

🛠 How to apply?

✔ Ask yourself: "What do I want to learn from this book?"

✔ Write a plan to apply at least one idea in your work or personal life.

🔎 Benefit: Avoids scattered readings and increases the practical impact of knowledge.

📖 4. Teaching Technique

💡 What is it? Learning by teaching. Explaining to someone else (or even to yourself) what you have read improves retention.

🛠 How to apply?

✔ Share a book summary with a colleague or team

✔ Write a post on social media about a concept you learned

✔ Keep a reading diary, noting down important insights

🔎 Benefit: Helps to consolidate knowledge and integrate it into your leadership style.

Conclusion: Turning Reading into a Leadership Tool

Strategic reading can shape the way you lead, influence, and grow . But the real power of reading lies in its practical application.

📢 And you?

• Which book on leadership had the biggest impact on your journey?

• Which of these techniques are you going to try?

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