Why Reading Still Matters for Careers

Are we trading pages for scrolls and losing the skills that matter most?

We’re living in an age of scrolling. Attention is sliced into snippets, screens compete for every spare moment and books are often the first thing to fall away.

Organisational psychologist and bestselling author Adam Grant, well known for his work on workplace culture and human behaviour, recently described the love of reading as an “endangered species.” He’s right to sound the alarm. Around the world, fewer people are reading for pleasure and fewer parents are reading daily to their children. While those numbers come from overseas, the trend feels familiar here in New Zealand too - more short-form content, less time spent sitting with a book.

Why Reading Matters for Career Development

Reading is not just a hobby. It builds empathy, sharpens communication and strengthens focus - the very qualities that employers consistently value. Fiction lets us step into experiences unlike our own. Non-fiction challenges our thinking and keeps us learning long after formal study has finished.

In today’s distracted world, the ability to sustain attention on a long piece of text has become a rare skill and one that can set people apart in the workplace.

Reading Builds Skills Employers Still Value

When we talk about adaptability, empathy and communication as career strengths, reading can be a surprisingly powerful way to nurture them. People who keep reading in their lives often approach challenges with broader perspective and bring richer ideas into conversations whether in interviews, leadership or day-to-day problem solving.

These are the transferable skills that matter in the future of work. While technical expertise may shift with new tools and technology, qualities like empathy, focus and strong communication remain vital.

Reading strengthens empathy, focus and communication - skills that careers depend on.

How to Bring Reading Back Into Daily Life

It’s easier than ever to consume content in quick bursts. But even ten minutes with a book before bed, over morning coffee or while commuting can bring balance back. Shared reading also matters. Workplace book clubs, professional development groups or even informal discussions about books can spark conversations that ripple well beyond the page. These moments create connection, deepen learning and reinforce the value of reading at work.

The Future Needs Readers

If the love of reading is endangered, then encouraging it is not just about saving a pastime. It’s about protecting the skills that underpin employability, leadership and growth in the future of work. Reading still matters for careers, for communities and for the future.

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Thanks for reading. At Pick a Path we help people strengthen the very skills that reading builds - communication, adaptability and confidence in career direction. Explore our Career Strategy Sessions to learn more.