Every leader must be a reader

Reading is one of the most important and indispensable habits of a leader. History has proven the power of books and the power of reading!

If you do not read, please do not try to lead anyone. Reading is essential for leadership! From being an unknown priest, Martin Luther has become one of the best-known names in Christendom through the power of books and the power of reading.

Why every leader must be a reader

• A leader must read for intellectual growth.

You will develop your mind greatly as you read. We all need to develop our minds more and more. Reading helps to develop our minds.

And development goes with forward movement! May we read to develop our minds and go forward!

• A leader must read for spiritual growth.

Reading the Bible will help you grow spiritually. As you read, you will find out that your spirit is affected greatly by the written Word of God.

For every problem there is a solution! For every spiritual problem there is a spiritual solution in the Bible! You can also have communion with other great leaders as you read their books.

• A leader must read to develop a preaching and teaching style.

A preacher usually has a style associated with him. You will, definitely, pick up some tips as you read from the messages of great men.

There is no point in reinventing the wheel when there are treasures in books. Let us draw from these treasures hidden in books!

• A leader must read to improve his/her language.

Language is a skill that is improved with certain practices. No matter the language you speak, reading always improves your language. For example, the best way to learn the English language is to read English books. If you want to improve your vocabulary, please start reading now!

• A leader must read to have fellowship with great minds and great people.

An author usually pours himself into his writing. When you read a book, you have a form of private interaction between yourself and the author. It is a private fellowship with the author.

As you read different books, you enjoy this amazing interaction with great minds you may never meet physically. You can also receive an anointing as you read a book.

• A leader must read to learn how to write.

You may write a book one day about what you have learnt on the road of leadership. You will have to write letters to people. You may have to document many things for posterity. Learn how to write well by reading!

• A leader must read to acquire new information.

We are all limited in our knowledge and the information we are privileged to have at any point in time. Ignorance is one of the greatest enemies of mankind.

That is why most people think that acquiring new information is the only reason why you should read a book.

But this is only one of many reasons why you should be a reader. If you do not read, your ignorance is self-inflicted and inexcusable. Let’s read!

• A leader must read to develop his leadership abilities.

Many renowned leaders have gone ahead of us. Some have documented the gems that made them great leaders.

You can develop your leadership abilities through these treasures. Anyone who spends more money on books than on food and clothes is destined for leadership!

• A leader must read because a person who does not read is no better than a person who cannot read.

If you are blessed with the ability to read, use it! Do not deprive yourself by not putting to use an ability you have.

Reading is a great ability that we can put to use and reap a great harvest!

• A leader must read so that he will be in the top twenty per cent of society.

Do you know that the top twenty percent of every society buys all books? Join the top twenty per cent of society today and be a winner and a leader.

Daniel Webster (1782-1852), a famous statesman and prominent lawyer once said, “If religious books are not widely circulated among the masses in this country and the people do not become religious, I do not know what is to become of us as a nation.”

And the thought is one to cause solemn reflection on the part of every patriot and Christian.

If the truth be not diffused, error will be; if God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy; if the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of corrupt and licentious literature will.”

Culled from “The Art of Leadership”
The writer is the founder of the Lighthouse Group of churches.
E-mail: theaol@ymail.com