Reading Maps

A reading map is a simple concept. There are books that are powerful and informative on their own but become significantly more powerful when read in parallel or in sequence to other books. This may seem like a simple or obvious concept, but it is seldom followed as a discipline. Effective use of a reading map is dependent on reader and the reader’s goal. Again, an obvious idea, but seldom followed as a discipline. 

A young person seeking to understand and improve their own behavior might read the cluster of books “Drive, When, and Deep Survival.” Someone attempting to understand the new world economy might start with “The World is Flat” then move to “The 2nd Machine Age.” Both books contain critical knowledge (denoted by the heavy border) and both are relatively easy reads (denoted by the color green). 

A note about the symbols; an easy read is green, a medium difficult read is yellow, and a hard, but worthy read is red. If it is circle in a heavy line it is in our estimate a bit of critical knowledge. The lines and arrows connecting the denote the relationship between the books. Tan is behavior, blue is math and science, green is the Internet, and red is culture. The balls at the edge of the boxes denote the points of emphasis in the books and follow the color code of the lines and arrows.

Lean Tail Labs can help your organization to leverage a reading map. The goals will vary, but at a minimum we would seek to ensure your organization or team understand the same basic ideas, use the same vocabulary, and have a series of common reference points in the development of policies, plans, or goals. The reading is to build synchronization and shared understanding/comprehension. There is a free reading map for download in the download section. It is labled "Pattern Development."