Former Facebook Exec Aims for 52 Books Annually, Mostly Novels

Molly Graham, a former executive at Facebook and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, is setting a personal goal to read 52 books annually, averaging one per week. Now also hosting TED's WorkLife podcast, Graham suggests her reading habits, particularly her focus on novels, contribute to her leadership effectiveness and personal authenticity.

Graham shared her personal journey, recounting how she granted herself permission seven years ago to read what she enjoyed, which primarily involved fiction. She described this shift as a significant release, even though the books themselves did not directly pertain to leadership. "It's a lesson in authenticity," Graham stated. "You spend a lot of time trying to do what you think you should do. You imitate what you think leadership looks like, and you're doing a bad imitation. And then you have this moment where you're like, wait a minute. What do I want? For me, reading is supposed to be relaxing, so what's relaxing to me?"

She drew a parallel to the career of artist Mark Rothko, who transitioned from an imitative style in his early career to his distinct, famous work. Graham suggests that many leaders experience similar moments in their careers where they question their identity and cease imitating others to discover their authentic selves.

Graham's approach to reading has garnered attention in leadership circles. She emphasizes that while the content of the books—such as mysteries and romance—may not directly address leadership, the process itself is valuable. It encourages leaders to identify their own values and make decisions rooted in deeper self-awareness and personal well-being.