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If Readers Are Leaders, What Are Writers?

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It is important begin our exploration of this interesting subject by identifying the fundamental ideology behind the notion that “readers are leaders”. This would give headway in our attempt to answer the bugging question as regards what writers are. So then, why are readers said to be leaders? Who is a leader? According to John Maxwell, a renowned author on the subject of leadership, “a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way”.1 Note that the first key definer of a leader in his definition is one who “knows” and an avenue to acquire this knowledge is by reading. With the relevant know-how, an individual’s frame of reference is expanded, he becomes confident, and according to the popular saying that “knowledge is power” - he becomes empowered to show others the way to go. The gist of this ideology is that one who reads gains knowledge, and one who is knowledgeable is empowered, and one who is empowered is fit to be a leader. According to Harry S. Truman, the thirty-third President of the United States of America, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers” 2 this further buttresses the indispensable relevance of reading to leadership.
Armed with John Maxwell’s definition of a leader in the above paragraph, we can also observe that for a leader to choose to go a certain way amidst several competing alternative routes he would need to be a critical thinker. For a leader to also show his followers the way to go, he must have the ability to communicate persuasively. The art of writing pushing one beyond the limit of his intellectual boundaries, forces one to explore, read between the lines, and ultimately think critically. Writing makes the communicator more careful, meticulous and detailed in his expression. His reasoning faculty is deeply explored thereby giving room room for fresh ideas to naturally flow.
Furthermore, we can express our ideas via our writing skills. It is a very important means of communication. Of what use is an idea resting in the mind of an individual if it cannot be communicated or expressed? The art of writing builds a firm bridge between the mind of the writer and that of his audience in order for his thoughts and ideas to drive across. This has the power to influence others to follow of the writer’s thoughts.
In conclusion, writing ensures permanence. All things being equal, it secures an idea through the test of time and provides an avenue for future reference. People in future generations can continue to follow the direction of one’s written ideas thus defining writers as immortal leaders whose written ideas long outlive their existence here on earth. Examples of such immortal leaders include Charles Dickens, author of the famous “Oliver Twist” first published in 1838, William Shakespeare, author of “Romeo and Juliet” first published in 1597, and Albert Einstein, the renowned theoretical physicist popularly remembered for his general theory of relativity “E=MC2” produced in 1905 just to mention a few.

References:
1. Sourced from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_c_maxwell.html on November 08, 2013
2. Sourced from http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/95682-not-all-readers-are-leaders-but-all-leaders-are-readers on November 08, 2013

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