That’s right. I graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts in History. And while I didn’t know it then, that degree has played a major role in shaping how I lead today.

In fact, I believe history majors — or anyone trained to think historically — have a serious advantage in business. Here’s why.

History Trains You to See Patterns, Not Just Problems

The most valuable skill in leadership isn’t knowing all the answers — it’s recognizing the patterns.

When you study history, you’re not just memorizing dates and names. You’re analyzing events, tracing causes and consequences, and asking: “What led to this?” You learn to connect dots, to see how seemingly unrelated events influence each other over time.

That’s the same mindset I use when making strategic decisions. Whether I’m reading market trends, evaluating a business acquisition, or solving a long-standing operational issue, I’m looking for patterns. What’s the root cause? What signals are we missing? What does history — our own or others’ — suggest will happen next?

In business, pattern recognition is gold. And history majors are trained to mine it.

Zooming Out: The Power of Long-Term Thinking

CEOs have to operate on two timelines: the now, and the next. Urgent issues are always competing for your attention — budgets, hiring, customer problems. But to build a company that lasts, you also have to think long-term.

That’s something history majors learn early. You study centuries, not quarters. You think in cycles, not just moments. You develop the ability to step back, zoom out, and ask: what does this mean in the bigger picture?

That’s helped me more times than I can count. When I face difficult decisions — whether about expanding, pivoting, or even pausing — I try to think like a historian. Where is the momentum going? What’s the cost of short-term thinking? How do we avoid repeating past mistakes?

Historical thinking brings depth. And depth brings better decisions.

Understanding People and Power

At its core, history is the study of people — their motivations, conflicts, alliances, and mistakes. It teaches you how power works, how trust is built or broken, and how communication (or miscommunication) changes everything.

In business, those lessons are invaluable. Whether you’re leading a team, negotiating a deal, or navigating a tough partnership, understanding people is everything.

I’ve found that my background in history has made me more empathetic as a leader. I don’t just look at what someone did — I try to understand why. What’s driving them? What’s the context? What are they afraid of?

That kind of thinking builds stronger teams and better outcomes.

Crisis Management: Learning from the Past

Let’s face it — being a CEO means handling crises. Sometimes you see them coming. Sometimes they blindside you. Either way, you have to act — quickly and wisely.

History is filled with crises: wars, economic collapses, revolutions. And it teaches us that even in the darkest moments, there are lessons — and often, a way forward.

In my career, when things have gotten tough — whether during COVID, economic downturns, or client losses — I’ve leaned on my training as a history student. I ask: how have others handled this? What worked, what didn’t, and why? How do I keep perspective, even when the pressure’s high?

History gives you a mental playbook. It helps you stay grounded — and not panic when the storm hits.

Curiosity as a Superpower

One thing most history majors share is a deep curiosity. We want to know why things happened. We want to understand how systems work. We dig, we read, we question.

That curiosity has been one of my greatest assets as a CEO.

It’s what pushes me to ask questions in every meeting. It’s what drives me to explore new markets and business models. It’s what helped me grow CTS from a small company to a multi-million dollar operation — not by knowing everything, but by always wanting to learn.

Curiosity keeps you sharp. It keeps you humble. And it keeps you moving forward.

Don’t Underestimate the “Soft” Degrees

There’s a bias out there — especially in business — that says STEM or finance degrees are the only real training grounds for leadership. I respect those paths. But I’m living proof that a so-called “soft” degree can give you a powerful edge.

History didn’t just teach me about the past. It taught me how to think. How to question. How to see people. How to lead.

So if you’re a history major wondering if you have a place in business — you do. And if you’re a founder or CEO thinking about what mindset to hire for — consider the people who can see beyond the immediate, connect complex ideas, and bring a deeper sense of perspective to the table.

They just might be your best strategic thinkers.