The Underrated CEO Habit That Changes Everything

In a world obsessed with speed, efficiency, and constant motion, one of the most surprising secrets of elite leadership might sound almost old-fashioned: reading. According to a McKinsey & Company study led by Carolyn Dewar and her co-authors, after studying over 2,000 chief executives who have led global companies in the past 15 years, one leadership habit stood out above the rest — the world’s best CEOs make time to read.

McKinsey’s findings revealed that top-performing CEOs don’t just skim industry reports or scroll through summaries. They read deeply and broadly. Dewar explained that across all their interviews with exceptional leaders, one constant theme emerged: great CEOs never stop learning. They intentionally carve out time to read, not as a leisure activity, but as a strategic priority that fuels their growth, sharpens their decision-making, and broadens their perspective.

“These leaders make real time for reading and learning all the way through their tenure,” Dewar shared. That phrase—make real time—is critical. Most executives live in calendars packed with meetings, crises, and constant communication. Yet the most successful ones protect time for reading as fiercely as they would a board meeting or an investor call.

So how do these busy professionals manage it? They don’t “find” time—they make time. They understand that reading is not a distraction from their work, but rather an essential part of it. It’s how they grow as thinkers, stay curious, and expand their vision beyond the borders of their immediate responsibilities.

In McKinsey’s study, the best CEOs read not only about business and leadership but also about science, history, psychology, art, and philosophy. This breadth allows them to make connections others might miss. Reading beyond their own domain fosters creative thinking and helps them anticipate change, a skill that is indispensable in a volatile global economy.

Consider the ripple effect this habit creates. Reading widely exposes leaders to new ideas, cultures, and disciplines—nurturing empathy, perspective, and innovation. It allows them to bring fresh insights to strategy meetings and to inspire teams with vision drawn from a deeper well of knowledge.

For the rest of us, the lesson is clear. You don’t need to be a Fortune 500 CEO to benefit from this leadership habit. The discipline of reading regularly can transform how you think, lead, and solve problems. It strengthens your mind, builds confidence, and helps you see beyond the daily grind.

Start small if you need to. Schedule 10 minutes in your calendar each morning or evening as “learning time.” Treat it as seriously as any other meeting. Choose a mix of books—some that sharpen your professional skills and others that challenge your worldview.

The world’s best CEOs understand something simple yet profound: leaders are readers. Reading isn’t just about acquiring information—it’s about expanding your imagination, deepening your understanding, and shaping your ability to lead with wisdom and foresight.

So, before you rush into your next task, pause and ask yourself: have you made time to read today? Because according to McKinsey’s research, that single habit might be the difference between being a good leader—and a great one.