16 Benefits All Leaders Get from Reading and Studying Books Part 1

Posted on July 27, 2020 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

Good morning, brothers, on this new week of Freedom Fighters. I want you to know that we deeply appreciate your reading our blogs either in email form or on one of our social media platforms. Today’s blog is not necessarily “spiritual” in nature, but in a sense it is. So hang in there with me.

I am very thankful for the men and women in my life that impressed upon me the importance of daily quiet time with the Lord, which I have written about often. I am also very thankful for the men and women who, throughout my life, encouraged me to read.

My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Torpin, introduced me to books and shared with me the benefit of reading. She gave me the challenge to read something every day and put a historical book into my hands, and I was hooked.

I can think of five or six men and women who would stop me and ask the question, “So what are you reading?”

John C. Maxwell often says that “Leaders are readers and readers are leaders.” There are amazing benefits of reading.

I am amazed at how many of my peers tell me that they hate to read. I know a former superintendent of schools that told me she hated to read and almost never reads.

One of the things that I am excited about with young leaders is that they are developing the habit of reading. I love it when a young leader asks me, “So what are you reading and what books can you recommend to me.

Quite frankly, we are really without excuse. We can read on our computers, tablets, and even our cell phones. I much prefer the real thing in my hands. I managed a Christian bookstore in Philly for 15 years, and my boss would open up a box of new books, fan the book, and smell it and then would say, “This is going to be a big seller!” He was almost always right.

Too cheap to buy a new book? There are lots of used bookstores on-line, and you and use your library account to download books to your devices!!! Amazing!!!

Christian leader, Brian Dodd recently wrote about former Secretary Jim Mattis’ new book, Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead. Utilizing quotes from his book, Dodd shares the following 16 Benefits All Leaders Get From Reading (Studying) Books. I will give you several this week and then send you more next week. The quotes are from Mattis’ book:

 

  1. Books Allow You To Learn From The Experiences Of Those Who Came Before You – “Before going into battle, you can learn by asking veterans about their experience and by reading relentlessly.”

 

I love to read books by men and women who were leaders of ministries, organizations, and companies. With a highlighter in hand, I have gleaned valuable insights.

  1. Books Accelerate Your Understanding – “By studying how others have dealt with similar circumstances, I became exposed to leadership examples that accelerated my expanding understanding of combat.”

    You will be amazed at how you will find things you have read come back to you when you are a leader. It is a great way to grow as a leader.

  2. Books Are Gift From Those Who Set Aside Time To Write – “Reading is an honor and a gift from a warrior or historian who – a decade or a thousand decades ago – set aside time to write.”
  3. Books Are A Conversation Experts Have With You – “He distilled a lifetime of campaigning in order to have ‘conversation’ with you.”

 

I have read numerous books about Dr. Billy Graham and have gained amazing insight into ministry and leadership in reading his books. I often thought, how cool would it be to have sat for an hour with Dr. Graham or Cliff Barrows to pick their brains. First of all, it would have never happened, but the books he has written and gave me insight into his life and decision making.

 

I would love to hear what you have learned about reading and get a list of what you are reading.

 

More next week.

Set apart for more,

Bill Welte, President/CEO

America’s Keswick

Bwelte@americaskeswick.org

 

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 12 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.


Think About This: “The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.” – A.W. Tozer

The Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 1-4| You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ -1 Peter 1:13

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.

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