I read novels for pleasure. I read business books for content.  It’s not quite that simple however.

The truth is, given the full-of-bs, hyped-up, buzzword-ridden, and generally weak content many business books are filled with — I probably learn more from novels.

The wisdom of the ages is found in stories. Innovators seeking a shift in perspective they can apply to business challenges would do well to read a well crafted story.  Stories also do something to infuse a bit of energy into a bored spirit, and serve as “incubation food” when you are flummoxed by a business problem. Insights tend to pop up for me when reading something completely different than the task at hand.

A good example of the power of a novel to uplift is is the recently penned, first novel, If I Never by Gary William Murning (someone I “met” via Twitter — @garymurning).  I received the book some time ago and it went into the tall stack next to my bed and I finally got to it last month.  Lucky me, after plowing through a series of mediocre or overly dense and didactic tomes. Finally something to sink my teeth into.  If I Never is a novel as dark as the late British afternoon in winter. As rich as blood sausage, and as satisfying as a full English breakfast.  The setting is the northeast of the UK and the scenes are a mix of  tough urban areas and Gothic-romantic countryside.  The story revolves around a reclusive young man, Price, without a sense of smell.  He falls in love with a woman who sweats too much — and has an odor problem. They are both classic misfits and they fit together perfectly. But, the even bigger misfit and miscreant is their mutual friend George, who gets them into a world of trouble.  The story is about Price’s struggle to take control of his life and become assertive enough to get what he wants.  It’s a well-written story, seriously good literature, ultimately upbeat without being saccharine.

Hat’s off to Mr. Murning for getting his excellent first novel published, and kudos to Legend Press for their vision in publishing him. Legend is an independent book publisher — who appear to be taking risks on several young unknowns — that’s innovative in today’s publishing world.

The lesson in this story is a fundamental one for business people, for innovators. You can’t let someone else drive when it’s your life, or your vision.  Stick to your guns, or the ever-present naysayers and dream-dilution experts will ruin your story.