The Power of Reading: Why Leaders and Historians Must Turn to Books

Every day, we scroll through thousands of headlines, skim endless videos, and consume more content than our ancestors could have imagined. But when was the last time you felt truly informed—not distracted, not entertained, but deeply, thoughtfully informed?

In an age of endless scrolling and media saturation, we have more information at our fingertips than ever before. Yet most of it washes over us like a flood, leaving us overwhelmed and underinformed. As an amateur historian and a professional leader, I’ve found that much of what we consume today is noise—content designed to provoke, entertain, or sell rather than enlighten.

That’s why I believe reading—real, in-depth reading—isn’t just a habit, but a necessity. Not just for gaining knowledge, but for transforming ourselves into better thinkers, better historians, and better leaders.

Drowning in Media, Starving for Insight

Most of us are drowning in media. According to Nielsen’s 2023 study, the average American spends 11 hours a day interacting with media. Between YouTube, television, and social media, we’ve become experts at scrolling but novices at understanding.

The problem is simple: most of this content isn’t designed to inform. YouTube algorithms favor watch time over depth. Television prioritizes ratings over nuance. Even the “news” is often opinion-driven entertainment. A 2021 Pew Research Center report revealed that over 60% of programming on networks like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC is opinion—not factual reporting.

Contrast this with books. Reading demands something the modern media landscape rarely does: focus, patience, and engagement. It forces us to slow down, wrestle with complex ideas, and grapple with perspectives that challenge our own.

And yet, we’re reading less. A Gallup poll found the average American reads just 12.6 books per year, a number skewed upward by avid readers. A sobering 25% of adults admitted they hadn’t read a single book in the past year. This decline matters, because leaders and historians alike cannot thrive on surface-level knowledge. They need depth.

Why Reading Matters for Leaders

Reading isn’t just a personal pastime—it’s a professional imperative. Leaders who read cultivate sharper minds, greater empathy, and better decision-making. History proves this. Abraham Lincoln, largely self-educated through books, turned his voracious reading into transformative leadership. Theodore Roosevelt, even while serving as president, reportedly read a book a day.

For me, Jim Collins’ works, such as Good to Great and Built to Last, have been indispensable guides to leadership. Collins doesn’t offer quick-fix answers or feel-good platitudes. His books are deep dives into what makes organizations and leaders excel, and they demand reflection. They’ve taught me the importance of disciplined thinking, strategic focus, and aligning values with actions. I return to them often, not because they entertain, but because they sharpen my leadership skills in ways no podcast or video ever could.

Why Reading Matters for Historians

For historians—amateur or otherwise—reading is even more essential. To understand the past, we need depth and nuance that short-form media can’t provide. A 10-minute YouTube video on the Reconstruction Era might be engaging, but it can’t replace the transformative power of a book like Edward E. Baptist’s The Half Has Never Been Told.

Baptist’s exploration of slavery is as harrowing as it is enlightening. It challenged me to rethink everything I thought I understood about the economic roots of American slavery. The book doesn’t just recount history; it confronts the reader with uncomfortable truths about capitalism, exploitation, and resilience. It left me humbled, angry, and—most importantly—better informed. That’s the kind of depth only books can provide.

Breaking Down Barriers to Reading

But how do we encourage more people to read in a world dominated by screens? First, we need to acknowledge the barriers. Time is often the biggest excuse. Yet if the average American spends over three hours a day on television, surely 30 minutes could be carved out for a book. Audiobooks offer another solution, allowing us to “read” while commuting, exercising, or folding laundry.

Second, we need to reframe how we think about reading. It’s not just about gathering facts; it’s about growth. Studies consistently show the benefits of reading. A 2009 University of Sussex study found that reading for just six minutes can reduce stress by up to 68%. Books not only expand our knowledge—they calm our minds.

Finally, we must lead by example. Leaders should share the books that inspire them. Parents should read with their children. Create a culture where reading is celebrated, not sidelined. When I discuss The Half Has Never Been Told or Good to Great with colleagues, it sparks conversations that go deeper than any quick-hit article or viral video ever could.

A Call to Action

So here’s my challenge: pick up a book. Not just any book, but one that challenges you, stretches you, and leaves you changed. Maybe it’s a history that reframes the past. Maybe it’s a leadership guide that sharpens your strategic mind.

Because the truth is, we can’t become better leaders, better historians, or better thinkers without putting in the work. We can’t get what we need from scrolling through social media or watching talk shows. But we can find it in the pages of a book.

Turn off the screens. Open the pages. The future depends on it.