Hi Everyone,

Happy Friday! Thanks for spending part of it reading The Lake Street Journal.

This week we’re talking about McChrystal’s thoughts on reading, violence, and storytelling. Let's get into it.

Pick Up a Book

"When I am feeling ignorant or unsure, as is often the case, I pick up a book," wrote General Stanley McChrystal in his most recent book, On Character.

Two things stand out to me here. Let's take them one at a time.

First, let's look at the abbreviated version of McChrystal's resume.

His military career began in 1976 when he graduated from West Point. He served as an infantry platoon leader. He was a Green Beret and commanded the 7th Special Forces Group. He commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment. He led Joint Special Operations Command. And he retired in 2010 as a four star general.

After more than three decades in the Army commanding some of the most elite units and finishing at the top of his profession, he still feels ignorant or unsure at times.

It's remarkable. Not because it's true but because he admits it. Humility is one of the keys of great leadership.

Second, what does McChrystal do when he's ignorant or unsure?

He picks up a book.

It's not surprising. Countless great leaders throughout history are also voracious readers. We've talked about some of them.

Teddy Roosevelt read a book a day as president.

General Mattis read 20 books to prepare for one new assignment.

As a boy, Abe Lincoln was known to "scour the countryside" in search of books to read.

Even Tom Brady devoured biographies on people like General Patton and Phil Simms to sharpen his own leadership skills.

So it's not a revelation that reading books helps you become a better leader.

But it's such a prevalent fact—such an important habit—that it's worth repeating. It's worth hearing every example we can get our hands on.

McChrystal's take on reading is slightly different from others I've seen. He shared two points I found novel and useful.

First, when groups of people have all read the same books, it creates a shared lexicon. A shared frame of reference. A common point of comparison. In his field—military leadership—that book is Once an Eagle, the story of two officers rising in parallel. One through noble means. The other, not so much.

Army officers can refer to peers as the characters in Once an Eagle, and everyone else knows what they're talking about.

This can also be true with books like the Bible, great American novels, classic philosophy, or even popular business books.

The shared language is valuable and leaders can instill that culture through reading and recommending books.

Second, McChrystal says, "Reading, as well as writing, help us understand our place in the world and the stories we get to participate in and even tell...Books help us consider stories, including our own life story, as more than the single page we're on at that moment. We live with the consequences of our actions in the chapters ahead."

So it's not just the words on the page providing value, it's your ability to see yourself in a story and apply that to your own life journey. Reading can help you zoom out, follow the character arc of a hero, and map that onto your experiences, coloring your thoughts and decisions in the process.

Obviously, reading is invaluable. But hearing about it in another way from another great leader really underscored the point.

Now excuse me while I go pick up a book.

Soul In The Game

I really enjoyed this piece from Adam Karaoguz where he talks about violence, specifically political violence, through the lens of the movie Civil War and the recent murders of Iryna Zarutska and Charlie Kirk.

Adam was a Navy SEAL, so he has a unique perspective on violence and dysfunctional governments. I highly recommend you read this piece to hear his thoughts and his proposed solutions.

I'll share a few of the passages that hit me hardest:

"In my time in the military, I deployed to conflict zones in South America, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. I’ve seen when politics turns to violence, and that fire leaves no party unscathed. Each act like this sends psychic ripples through the ether, perturbations that sow violence in other places."

"If you haven’t watched the videos of either event, I advise you to. I realize some people aren’t comfortable with graphic violence. But violence is part of the world. 

And looking away is how we got here."

"Words are not violence. Violence is violence.

When we assert that words are violence, we open the door to using physical violence in response to speech, however “hateful” we deem it. Using our words is how we prevent violence in the first place. And when we don’t push back against an idea like that, it gains strength like a demonic typhoon feeding on warm air."

79 Minutes of Storytelling Strategy

A few weeks ago, we talked about how great leaders are great storytellers.

This is an excellent podcast on telling better stories.

It's a conversation between writing teacher David Perell and NYT bestselling author Nick Bilton. Bilton is an unbelievable storyteller. He wrote American Kingpin, the wild story of Ross Ulbricht and the Silk Road.

American Kingpin was one of the best books I read last year. I read it in four sittings. It felt like I was binging episodes of Breaking Bad. And honestly, this podcast had a similar feel. It was entertaining and packed with tons of useful writing and storytelling tips.

I think you'll enjoy it.

Workout of the Week

This is a challenging but approachable CrossFit workout. I was sucking air and rubbing my forearms by the end.

"Terrible Twenties"

3 rounds for time of:

• 20 wall balls (14#)

• 20 deadlifts (95)

• 20 box jumps (24")

• 20 push presses (95)

• 20 hanging knee raises

Rest 1 minute after each round. Your score is your time at the end of the third round (not including the final minute rest).

My time was 16:50. Let me know how ya do!

Quote of the Week

"The shinier the tools, the shittier the worker.” - Jon Finkel

Have a question or a comment? Respond to this email.

Talk soon,

Joe