read a paper

This is one of the bits of advice I give to those starting out in work and certainly to those striving for leadership positions. For me, it’s essential, for others it’s old-fashioned – ignorant of the media of today and the future.

For clarity, I don’t necessarily mean go out to your local newsagents and buy a physical newspaper with actual money (though you’d have my undimmed admiration if you did). What I mean is consume news, challenge yourself with opinion pieces, indulge in long-read articles.
 
I count myself as fortunate to come from a family whose central characters were always voracious consumers of the press. The image I conjure up of my grandpa is him in his armchair with an enormous copy of the Daily Telegraph pinned to his face like some gigantic bath towel of news, gradually shrinking through folding over the course of the day as he zeroed in on the stocks and shares page and – finally, before bed – the cryptic crossword (a concept and challenge I still find unfathomable today). I see my papa with his copy of the Daily Express, again knee-deep in the crossword and coming along to our house to research (cheat) by mining our Encyclopaedia Brittanica collection. I see my dad who – still – reads a paper from back to front so he gets the sport section first. He is still the only person I know who has had delivered both the Daily Record (a left-leaning Scottish red-top) and Daily Telegraph (well, you know) to the door every morning.

From these men I learnt the value of perspective, the beauty of challenged opinions and the endless fun of conversations prompted by the printed word. And it’s stuck with me.

I read a paper every day – albeit a digital one – and find myself challenged, inspired, angered and contemplative in equal measure. I love the feeling of reading the beautiful writing of someone I fundamentally disagree with and also the feeling of willing on those who can’t write well but whose opinions I do share. I love, particularly now, sharing with others what I do and don’t agree with, and knowing that’s alright. I love the in-depth sports coverage, the recipes, the obscure world affairs and the consumer advice.  I especially love – though it shames to admit it – the birthdays page and the Court Circular, which I read every morning before I get up.

Reading a paper challenges me, gives me something to talk about, gives me routine and keeps me on top of what’s happening. It helps me give a sense to others that I know what’s going on and have something to say about it. 
It also, frankly, gives a bit of cash to those who are paid to treat news properly and is an antidote to the madness of unregulated conspiracy-based reporting which does nobody any good.

For leaders – especially new or emerging ones – I recommend the simple pleasure of reading a paper every day as something they should invest in. It opens the mind and gives perspective. Give it a try.