Few great leaders have not been great readers. Former US president and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Theodore Roosevelt, read a book a day for most of his life. Last year the CEO of a prominent multinational took a year sabbatical to travel and read about 50 books.

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Whether you prefer to read books, subscribe to blogs, RSS feeds or listen on the go, here are 3 Christian thought leaders that produce appreciable regular reads and/or podcasts but have also written iconic books.

1. John Stanko – The purpose man

One of the first things you learn about John Stanko is that he writes, speaks and breaths purpose. He states that his purpose is to help you find your purpose.

He has authored fifteen books and has written for many publications around the world. John maintains a weekly email update called The Monday Memo and regular Bible studies on his blog. His website contains many resources and programs devoted to help people find their life purpose.

Iconic read: Life is a gold mine, can you dig it (book), The Monday Memo (weekly email)

Why: John Stanko’s Monday Memo brings you face to face with what is at stake – your life. It serves as a weekly reminder to stay on course and not get distracted in the quest to live meaningful lives.

2. Michael Hyatt – Practical leadership

A former CEO and Chairman of Thomas Nelson, Michael Hyatt, has written eight books, two of which landed on the New York Times bestseller list. His book Platform: Get noticed in a noisy world made the New York Times bestseller list, it also featured in the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller lists.

His posts and podcasts on personal development, productivity and authentic and empathetic leadership are like a Christian MBA. He relates easily to people in all levels of their careers and life in general.

Iconic read: This is your life (podcast series available on iTunes), Platform: Get noticed in a noisy world (book)

Why: Listen to these podcasts for practical, immediately implementable tools on personal development, team and self management as well as leading in the workplace and at home.

3. John Maxwell – High calling on your life

Dr John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, coach, and author who has sold over 19 million books. A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Businessweek best-selling author, Maxwell has written three books which have each sold more than one million copies: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leader Within You, and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. Read our review of his book Encouragement Changes Everything.

Iconic read : John Maxwell Leadership Bible

Why: Read this for a daily reminder of the high calling on your life as a Christian and a leader through its extraction of leadership principles and lessons on from various old and new testament verses and accounts.

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