The American “book-worm” is a rare breed these days. In the publication, The Atlantic,  reports that   one quarter of Americans did not even crack open a book, fire up the Kindle, or push play on an audio book last year. James Allen once wrote that you cannot lead anyone past your own thinking. So the real issue at stake is not so much a “readership crisis” as it is a “leadership crisis.” I have been a committed reader for years averaging about 5000 words annually.

There is no guarantee, but readers tend to be leaders. There are good reasons for this reality.

1. “Matthew Effect” – The Matthew Effect is taken from the gospel of Matthew in which there is discussion on the “rich becoming richer and the poor becoming poorer.” Stanovich,1986; Walberg & Tsai, 1983 applied this concept to academic learning. What they discovered was those who apply themselves to the mechanics of reading break through the “spelling to sound” barrier faster, thereby enhancing the reading ability in the long view of life. It can be safely stated that reading helps us master communication skills.
2. Better Thinkers – Author Anne Cunningham writes that reading enhances one’s ability to decipher misinformation thereby enhancing judgement capabilities. When life squeezes us by time constraints, being able to make correct judgments is an essential skill that only reading will enhance its effectiveness.
3. Relaxation – Dr. David Lewis writes that reading can reduce stress more efficiently than music or exercise. Reading stimulates creativity by means of an interaction of words and imagination. New ideas are born ad come alive within as we read. We forget momentarily the stress of the day as we immerse ourselves in a good book. 
4. People Skills – In a Psychology Today article people reported that reading offers an opportunity to learn skills vicariously through characters presented through reports or fiction. Television is stupid – it tells you what to think. Reading offers opportunities for original thought and how to think. Carol Clark reports that the neuro-connections made while reading may last for days as opposed to the instant gratification of televised media.
5. Youthfulness – This reason does not have anything to do with the physical appearance of youthfulness so much as it focus upon intellectual capital as reported by Micahel Hyatt. Reading keeps the imagination alive and the heart young. Stop reading and start dying is more than a scar tactic. Investing in yourself by reading enhances your leadership capability. Age is not a disqualifier rather it is a prerequisite!