I was recently asked a hypothetical question: "If you could go back in time and give advice to your younger self, just starting out in IT, what would it be?" Without hesitation, I blurted out, "Master spreadsheets!" But as soon as I noticed the puzzled stares, I quickly added, "Actually, I’d tell myself to start reading more." This, of course, led to the inevitable follow-up: *What kind of books?*
I think they expected me to say industry-specific books, but in true fashion, I threw them a curveball and replied, "History books." Naturally, the next question was "why history?" and I imagine you’re wondering the same thing.
Being a history nerd can surprisingly improve your people skills in several ways:
**Perspective & Empathy**: History teaches you how different cultures, societies, and individuals have faced challenges. This broader perspective fosters empathy, allowing you to better understand others' backgrounds and motivations. In the workplace, this helps you relate to colleagues with diverse experiences and viewpoints.
**Conflict Resolution**: History is full of conflicts—some resolved well, others disastrously. Studying these teaches valuable lessons in diplomacy, negotiation, and compromise, skills you can apply to team dynamics and resolving workplace conflicts.
**Leadership Insights**: Many historical figures are celebrated for their leadership. By analyzing their successes and failures, you gain insight into motivating people, managing crises, and making tough decisions—all crucial for leadership and management roles.
**Communication Skills**: Historical leaders communicated effectively, whether with allies or opponents. Learning from them can improve how you convey ideas, especially when uniting or inspiring a team. History’s rich tradition of storytelling can make complex ideas more engaging and easier to understand.
**Patience & Long-Term Thinking**: History shows that meaningful change often takes time. This helps cultivate patience and a strategic mindset, both essential for managing teams and long-term projects.
In short, being a history nerd enhances emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and communication—key soft skills for any leader. Plus, while honing those skills, you're also giving your brain a much-needed workout, which is equally important!
