#8 The GLEe Model: How Reading Fiction Can Help Product Leaders Build a Vision for the Future

8 The GLEe Model: How Reading Fiction Can Help Product Leaders Build a Vision for the Future

In the world of product development and leadership, there is a constant need to think big and think long-term. Product leaders are always on the lookout for ways to build a product that can truly make a difference and "dent the universe." One model that can help product leaders achieve this is the GLEe model.

The GLEe model encourages teams to ask themselves, "What's next?" and forces them to embrace long-term thinking. It encourages product leaders to be optimistic and believe that anything is possible. The model suggests thinking in a timeframe of 3-5 years, but it goes even further by urging product leaders to think 10-15 years ahead. This long-term thinking is what enables companies like Netflix to establish a hard-to-copy network effect through their device ecosystem.

But the GLEe model also emphasizes that you don't have to do everything at once. It recognizes the importance of finding a high-level product strategy that can support multiple phases of a company's growth. For example, as Netflix expanded globally, their personalization feature helped connect members with movies they loved, regardless of their nationality. This phased approach not only builds a huge advantage, but it also becomes hard to copy.

So how can reading fiction help product leaders in building a vision for the future? Well, reading fiction has been found to have a profound impact on individuals, particularly in cultivating empathy. As poet John Keats once said, "Nothing ever becomes real until it is experienced." Reading fiction allows us to experience different perspectives and gain first-hand knowledge of someone else's experiences.

Studies have shown that reading fiction activates the temporal lobe, which is the language processing center of the brain. It also increases global blood flow in the brain, mimicking the neural activities of the experiences we read about. This suggests that reading fiction can effectively build empathy and emotional intelligence.

Research by Natalie M. Phillips has shown that reading fiction is associated with higher levels of "affective empathy," which is the capacity to share another's feelings and emotions. It has also been found that fiction readers tend to exhibit more helpful tendencies in the moment. This is because reading fiction allows us to practice taking on someone else's perspective and improves our social awareness.

So, how can product leaders incorporate reading fiction into their approach to building a vision for the future? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Make reading fiction a habit: Set aside dedicated time each day to read fiction. This will not only help you relax and unwind, but it will also stimulate your brain and improve your cognitive abilities.

2. Choose diverse genres: Don't limit yourself to a particular genre. Explore different types of fiction, from classics to contemporary novels, and even science fiction. This will expose you to a wide range of perspectives and increase your empathy towards different experiences.

3. Discuss and share insights: Join book clubs or engage in discussions with colleagues or friends about the books you read. This will help you deepen your understanding of the themes and characters in the stories and broaden your perspectives even further.

In conclusion, the GLEe model and reading fiction may seem like unrelated concepts, but they share a common goal: to help individuals think big and build a vision for the future. The GLEe model encourages product leaders to think long-term and embrace optimism, while reading fiction allows us to cultivate empathy and gain first-hand knowledge of different experiences. By incorporating both elements into our lives, we can become better product leaders and better individuals overall.