Want to get smarter, or at least feel smarter? Pick one of these classic reads for superior intelligence. The idea that reading makes you smarter has been proven by numerous studies, including one that found that regular readers have improved crystallized, fluid and emotional intelligence. Reading expands your vocabulary and comprehension, improves your ability to sense the emotions and feelings of others, and helps you communicate and relate better.
Books that increase intelligence
Here are 12 books that can help you improve your intelligence through reading.
1. Military strategy By Sun Tzu
Source: Amazon
This ancient tome may look like a military manual at first glance, but its ideas on strategy are translated into successful tactics that anyone can use to create smarter strategies for their own companies.
2. Think, fast and slow Daniel Kahneman
Source: Amazon
So much of success today comes from having the right mindset for business. This book is dedicated to showing you how to think systematically and quickly, and how to know when to make faster or slower decisions. You want to act quickly, but you don't want to rush into decisions that require more deliberation. Kahneman teaches you both “fast systems” and “slow systems,” and helps you determine when and how to use each speed of thought. [Related article: What are decision support systems?]
A Short History of Almost Everything Bill Bryson
Source: Amazon
In this popular book, Bryson shares information about the various fields of science about the universe and how we got to where we are in human history. Along the way, Bryson also adds important information about physics, biology, chemistry, and more. You'll be able to impress many in your conversations if you discuss why and how we are here and our purpose.
Four. The world's biggest secret Og Mandino
Source: Amazon
First published in 1972, this book has stood the test of time and has been repeatedly featured on must-read lists. Not only will this book make you wiser with its insights into personal and financial success, it also gives you a blueprint for cultivating the traits that will get you what you want. The transformational process that Mandino describes can also help you improve your relationships with all types of people.
Five. The courage to write By Ralph Keyes
Source: Amazon
People who write well are often considered smarter than those who don't. Get this how-to manual and courage book that gives you the information you need to improve your grammar, structure, tone, and style.
6. Activate your business brain Doug Hall
Source: Amazon
This book is designed to raise your level of knowledge about designing and launching new products. It focuses on the skills and knowledge essential to creating a working product. Hall helps you use research and analysis to develop effective sales processes, marketing strategies, and other business techniques.
7. universe Carl Sagan
Source: Amazon
While some may find the book difficult to understand, Sagan covers a wide range of topics in a way that is easy to understand, touching on religion, philosophy, history, culture and science to leave the reader with a well-rounded view, or at least some food for thought for dinner party conversations about the meaning of life.
8. Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the invisible forces that block true inspiration Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace
Source: Amazon
Creativity has always been considered a key success factor in business and a path to differentiation. Yet it can also be one of the most difficult things to incorporate into a clear, practical practice. This book highlights some of today's most creative cinematic success stories, offering a glimpse into how we can unlock the creative potential within all of us.
9. You are not your brain Jeffrey Schwartz
Source: Amazon
Most of us need to develop greater discipline in the way we think and act, and this book offers tips on how to take control of your mind while managing the impulses that can affect your relationships, productivity, and overall success.
Ten. Outliers: A success story Malcolm Gladwell
Source: Amazon
Having a high IQ is a great thing, Outliers He lays out the logic behind why some people are more successful than others, and shows how a high IQ doesn't necessarily correlate directly to intelligence. Using insights from evolutionary psychology, Gladwell shows us how to become smarter and more successful.
11. The power of habit: why we do what we do in life and business Charles Duhigg
Source: Amazon
We all seem to pick up good and bad habits in our lives, so it's useful to understand why we do what we do and how they affect ourselves, our relationships, and our success in the business world. This book provides the inspiration and strategies to change your habits and develop new ones that will make you more respected, influential, and successful.
12. Think like a Freak: Freaknomics Author Suggests Retraining Your Brain By Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Source: Amazon
Becoming smarter often requires a shift in perspective, a change in how you think and make decisions, and with many examples throughout the book, the author shows you different steps to help you start thinking differently.
A big part of success is listening to and striving to understand the insights and experiences of others.
Whether these books change the way you think, make decisions, and act is up to you, but those around you will begin to notice a slight increase in your intelligence. This could mean greater respect at work, exponentially more influence over others, or even a spot on Jeopardy!
How reading can help your business
If you’re still not sold on the idea of reading more books, here are three ways it can benefit your business and your life.
We help you become a better writer
In business, writing is essential. Whether it's memos, emails, social media posts, or official documents, writing is important. Reading exposes you to different opinions and styles and teaches you how to communicate your ideas in different ways. It teaches you different tactics, like using facts to support your opinion or using different writing styles to grab attention. Plus, the more you read, the more your vocabulary will grow.
Improve reading comprehension
Reading exposes you to endless information that you would never have known otherwise. WordsRated reports that people who read regularly have about 50 percent more vocabulary and factual knowledge than those who read less frequently. In addition to gaining more expertise from the books you read, your ability to comprehend information improves. This makes it easier for you to read between the lines, understand hidden messages in communications you receive from others, and get the bigger picture.
Reading, especially books by diverse authors, can increase your ability to see things from different perspectives.
Improve your communication skills
Listening to other people's ideas and how they are communicated will help you learn how to communicate more effectively and ensure your own ideas are conveyed clearly. Learning how words and sentences flow, how conversations naturally happen, and the structure for expressing certain ideas and topics will help you in public speaking. This will help you when networking and communicating with people within your company. Your conversations will be more effective and you will be seen as a good communicator with high emotional intelligence. [Read more about the importance of emotional intelligence in business.]
Reduces stress
Running a small business can be busy and stressful. But remember, taking time to relax is just as necessary as working hard. A simple way to do this is by reading. Just six minutes of reading a day can reduce stress levels significantly more than music or exercise. An added bonus is that it may lower your blood pressure and heart rate. So, reading not only increases your knowledge, it also improves your physical and mental health.
Sean Peek contributed to this article.
