A Conversation on How to Lead in a Post-Literate Work World
—
The panel examines the meaning and crisis of literacy in a post-literate society and what it means for 21st-century leadership. The discussion highlights how declining long-form reading impacts critical thinking, decision-making, and social cohesion, while exploring the evolving responsibilities of leaders as communicators, teachers, and curators of insight in a digital, short-attention world. Practical strategies and perspectives are shared for bridging generational gaps, fostering book-based conversation, and adapting leadership to new realities.
Mentioned Book Titles and Authors:
- Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
- Leadership Lessons from the Five Books of Moses by Jonathan Sacks
- The Odyssey by Homer (referencing Emily Wilson’s translation)
- Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
- Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
- Ulysses by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
- The Federalist Papers and Anti-Federalist Papers
- Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill
Host:
- Jesan Sorrells
Guest Panelists:
- Richard Messing
- John Hill
- Tom Libby
- Brian Bagley
- Hana Kabele Gala
- Neal Kalechofsky
- Dorollo Nixon, Jr.
- David Baumrucker
- Christen B. Horne
- Dr. Moumin Quazi
- Hana Kabele Gala
—
The Articles that Inspired the Conversation:
- The End of Reading is Here by Rose Horowich – https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/08/reading-crisis-postliterate-age/687618/
- Leading in the Post-Literate West by Jesan Sorrells – https://jesanmsorrells.micro.blog/2026/07/16/leading-in-the-postliterate-west.html
—
- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro – Bach – Silotti – “Air” from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068
- Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.
—
- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON!
- Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list!
—
- Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribe
- Check out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/
