To grow and evolve, leaders often turn to business books that share new work trends or address challenges they may be facing in the workplace. By learning how others solve the same problems we are facing, we gain insights and alternative steps to resolving our glitches. So many of us gravitate towards non-fiction to learn new strategies.

I’ve been thinking about why we choose these self-improvement and business type genre over a work of fiction? Why do we avoid reaching for that novel or historical literature? Is there ever a reason we may want to delve into a deep narrative and not come up for air until a twist in the plot is revealed?

Recently I allowed myself to reach for an extraordinary book with a profound story. It was based on historical events but told through a story of fictional characters with embellished circumstances. It “got me” and transported me to another world. It actually opened my leadership to possibilities I never dreamed.

[Tweet “Works of fiction can open up possibilities for leaders.”]

Here are seven reasons for leaders to pick up a work of fiction:

1. Fiction transforms us

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to connect with a fictional character? So many individuals in novels lead in a way that we wish we could. They take actions and make statements that we see as impactful and encourage us to follow our dreams. If they can do it, we can do it too!

2. Fiction helps us to escape

Whether we want to admit it or not, we all need to jump out of our reality from time to time. And that is no easy feat with all of our responsibilities and deadlines. No time to drop out and escape to an alternative universe. Yet, when we pick up a book and delve into another person’s journey, we become children again, eager to be part of a new ride.

[Tweet “Through reading novels, leaders capture their childhood curiosity.”]

3. Fiction shares lessons through storytelling

We all know the power of stories– they awaken emotions and help us see the road ahead more clearly.

• Stories open our eyes
• Stories allow us to see ourselves in other’s successes and failures
• Stories teach us what we need to learn
• Stories help us to be better storytellers in our leadership

4. Fiction challenges our perspectives

In a work of fiction, we are begged to see the issues from many different vantage points. As we read about why some characters act the way they do and others make alternate decisions, leaders grow to understand the value of hearing  opposing ways to meet a challenge. We gain insights into how to stay open-minded and respectful.

5. Fiction helps us deeply focus

Becoming entrenched in a storyline and staying with the characters all the way, enables leaders to work on their focusing skills. It may seem unrelated yet when we read and let go of the world around us, we practice paying attention and discovering the true facts. We look inwards and ask ourselves the same type of questions for our novel as we ask in our workplace or team:

• Why is this happening?
• What are the implications of those actions and choices?
• Who is impacted by that decision?
• What changed? What stayed the same?

6. Fiction empowers us to vision

When we read about strong characters fulfilling their dreams and accomplishing what they set out to do, we begin to think about ways we might want to explore. Fiction enables us to see how persistence and drive can elevate our leadership. If the protagonist can do it, we can do it. If the most risk adverse character overcomes their fears, we as leaders can push ourselves outside our comfort zones.

7. Fiction propels us into action

As a book comes to a close and a conclusion is reached, the reader finally has closure with the outcome of events. This begins the process of taking what a story has taught us about life, people and the world around us and deciding how to incorporate those lessons. We are pepped up, eager to use the new ideas and suggestions from the story in our leadership. We often feel invigorated and empowered to take action by setting new goals for our leadership road ahead.

How has a work of fiction saved your leadership? Have you ever connected with a character to help grow your leadership?