Why Business Leaders Should Adopt A Fiction Book Diet

Reading people is like reading books; I am curious to learn from people in business, and I often find myself in conference rooms, panel discussions, leadership summits, and more. As I sit there, rapt in attention, with a coffee in one hand and a notebook in the other, I can always tell when the speaker on the podium reads only business books. And that's the moment when I switch off.  

They are easy to spot. For entrepreneurs who read only books as suggested in the curriculum (think business books like Rich Dad Poor Dad, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones, The 4-Hour Workweek, etc.), they throw words like synergy, networking, collaboration, consistency, leadership, and teamwork like confetti in their talks and speeches. And let's confess, we've all been there as listeners and speakers. These easy-to-spot entrepreneurs walk into the room, shake hands with the moderators with the passion and intensity of a motivational guru, and then say something like, "Let's learn how to leverage our experiences, competencies…,” and (yawn!) that's a sign for you already know what to expect next.  

Now, imagine if you, as an entrepreneur, were to start your talk with words that sounded like, say, "Winter is coming” (keep an eye out for the Game of Thrones fans in the house straightening their backs), or "Don't let the muggles get you down” (Harry Potter brigade, take note, please!), or "Some days are meant to be counted, others are meant to be weighed” (who doesn't love a little Eat, Pray, Love in their conference rooms, after all). Enter fictional characters, plots, twists, and dialogues, and you have an audience that wants to hear from you. 

So, is there a case to be made for adopting a new voice borrowed from the pages of a fiction read? If nothing else, it’d make most of us sound less monotonous and tedious than a corporate chatbot. But here’s what else what you can gain by leaning into a fiction book diet:  

1. Broaden Your View, Broaden Your Audience 

When you broaden your reading to include fiction, you unknowingly empower yourself with examples from imaginary worlds, opening your mind to greater perspectives, and allowing you to connect with a larger audience. Those who read fictional stories are likelier to embrace innovations and collaborations. Sure, The Lean Startup is informative, but has it ever taught you to How To Train Your Dragon, and thus learn to lead with heart? I didn’t think so.  

2. Stop Sounding Like PowerPoint Presentations Raised You 

While presentations have their place, slides outlining strategies to multiply growth now feel stale. Let fiction inspire you to rethink how you deliver your talking points. You don’t want to be predictable or uninspiring. It’s often said that an entrepreneur who doesn’t read fiction is like a startup without a marketing budget. Plus, reading fiction teaches two essential business skills: dealing with unpredictable characters, and persevering when everything falls apart. Both are valuable in real life—and they can also be infused into your presentations.  

3. Your LinkedIn Posts Will Be Less Insufferable

Raise your hand if you find it hard to get through personal dramas on LinkedIn. Is it becoming the new Facebook, or are we all participants in a reality television show? If you want you to stand out from the current scene on LinkedIn, try reading fiction. It enhances emotional intelligence, and enables leaders to better understand their customers, employees, and partners—all of which will lead to more engaging posts on LinkedIn as well. You have the opportunity to craft a compelling brand story. Imagine explaining to a venture capitalist that your biggest inspiration comes from a hobbit with a magic ring—now, that’s the kind of confidence fiction can instill.  

4. Become A Master At Storytelling 

Yes, you can talk portals and startups, but what if you could also speak time loops and alternate realities? Let’s be honest; no one wants to hear another speech about "hustle culture," or waking up at 4 am, when you could listen to tales of dragons instead. If dragons aren’t your thing, you could talk about flying dogs or heartwarming suitcases. You can keep it simple with love stories and picnics at the farm. The world of fiction provides an endless supply of ideas. Remember, the best entrepreneurs aren’t just great strategists, but great storytellers. 

5. You'll Be Better Equipped To Deal With Plot Twists 

Some entrepreneurs learn leadership from case studies, while others draw insights from hefty novels. Imagine closing a deal by saying, "If we can survive 1,100 pages of The Stand by Stephen King, keeping up with market trends and investor moods will be a piece of cake!" Businesses and fiction books have one thing in common: you never know what lies ahead on the next page. Reading a story set on a farm where aliens rule will unknowingly train your brain to anticipate consequences, assess risks, and handle ambiguity—just like running a business. The bottom line is that you can't call yourself an entrepreneur if you've never been emotionally devastated by a crisis, aka a plot twist!  

6. Join An Elite Club Of Likeminded Leaders 

Reading fiction also puts you in a hallowed circle of leaders with the same habit. Did you know Elon Musk credited The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy with shaping his perspective on problem-solving and risk-taking? Jeff Bezos has spoken about how The Lord of the Rings inspired his vision for Amazon, especially regarding long-term thinking and world-building. Barack Obama, known for his inspiring speeches, often references fiction. His book list includes everything from Moby Dick to Song of Solomon. Steve Jobs was known for his ability to tell powerful brand stories. His admiration for 1984 by George Orwell shaped Apple's iconic 1984 Super Bowl ad, positioning the company as a rebel against conformity. 

In a nutshell, fiction readers don't think outside the box; their minds learn to question whether the box is even real. And sometimes, that's just what you need to make yourself not only smarter, but, well, less boring too!   

About The Author 

Purva Grover is a Dubai-based author, journalist, and creative entrepreneur. She believes in the power of storytelling and is convinced stories aren't going anywhere. She reads 52 books a year, and she has also authored four books. You can meet her at purvagrover.com or stalk her on Instagram @purvagr.