Careers often appear to turn on big decisions such as job switches, promotions or new ventures. But the habits that shape them are usually simple and easy. Among business leaders, one such habit continues to hold its place: reading.For Jon McNeill, who has worked closely with some of the most prominent executives in the United States, this pattern has been consistent. As former president of Tesla and later chief operating officer (CEO) of Lyft, McNeill observed how senior leaders spend their time and what habits they sustain over years.“Reading is probably the single most important thing you can do,” McNeill told Fortune. He said that many of the most successful people he encountered read regularly, often building it into their daily routines.Leaders such as Warren Buffett have long spoken about spending large parts of their day reading. Elon Musk has also credited books as a key source of learning. For McNeill, this was not incidental but a shared pattern. He adopted a routine of reading for about an hour and a half each day, which he said helped maintain focus and engagement over time, according to Fortune.
Reading as a way to build thinking and curiosity
Reading, in this context, serves more than one function. It provides information, but it also builds familiarity with ideas across fields.
Over time, this exposure allows individuals to connect concepts, recognise patterns and approach problems with a wider frame of reference.McNeill said the habit also supports curiosity. Rather than treating reading as a task, he described it as a way to stay mentally active. That curiosity, he said, has influenced his career path, including roles on the boards of companies such as General Motors, Lululemon and CrossFit, as well as his work with venture firm DVx.
A common trait among top earners
The emphasis on reading is not limited to individual accounts. A 2025 survey by JPMorgan of more than 100 billionaires found that reading ranked among the most common habits they shared.At the same time, reading appears to be declining among the broader public. Data from YouGov shows that two in five Americans did not read a single book in the past year. Research by the University of Florida and University College London found that daily reading for pleasure has fallen over the past two decades.
The decline is more pronounced among younger people, with lower average reading levels reported among those aged 18 to 29.
What the decline could mean
This change matters because reading is linked to a set of skills that extend beyond academic performance. Regular readers are more likely to develop analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities, which are often required across roles and industries.
How reading shapes professional relationships
For McNeill, one of the more practical outcomes of reading is its effect on how people engage with others.
He said reading helps individuals ask better questions. That, in turn, can shape professional relationships.Recalling an early interaction with Elon Musk, McNeill said he did not begin by presenting his own experience. Instead, he asked a question about the company’s challenges, which led to a longer conversation and eventually to his role at Tesla, Fortune reports.A similar approach helped him build a relationship with Mary Barra.
By focusing on the problems the company was trying to solve, he was able to establish a connection that later developed into a board position.
A steady habit in a changing job market
For younger professionals entering a job market shaped by rapid technological change, McNeill’s advice remains centred on habits rather than short-term adjustments. “Don’t freak out,” he said. “You’re absolutely going to be fine.”In a landscape defined by shifting tools and roles, reading remains a steady practice. For many leaders, it continues to be part of how they learn, think and make decisions over time.
