Hit the Books! Recommendations to Make You a Better Association Leader
Even the best leaders need time to brush up on the latest in their industries in order to lead your association in a thoughtful, energetic manner. One way leaders at Ewald further their skills is by sitting down with a great book that furthers their knowledge of association management.
Here are book recommendations other association leaders have read and loved.
Top Recommendation by Eric Ewald, Chief Experience Officer at Ewald Consulting:
The Will to Govern Well by Gen H. Tecker
“The book presents three critical themes that have emerged as key to developing the will to govern well — knowledge, trust and nimbleness — providing definitions and strategies for incorporating them into governance. This second edition updates the original with information and insights that have been gleaned in the 10 years since its first publication. Furthermore, it includes a whole new chapter on the intelligent association, providing an evolved process for associations that have been using knowledge-based governance so routinely it has become part of the fabric of their operation. Another new feature of this edition is an emerging theory about the value proposition of associations in the 21st century.”
Further Recommendations:
The End of Membership As We Know It by Sarah Sladek
“The era when associations could count on members joining and renewing, even with a relatively unchanging menu of membership benefits, has passed. No, membership is not dead, argues author Sarah Sladek. But associations do need to change their thinking and their models. In The End of Membership As We Know It: Building the Fortune-Flipping, Must-Have Association of the Next Century, Sladek offers practical, proven ways that associations can respond to changes affecting participation such as the generational shifts in the workforce, social changes, and technology-eased access to content and community.”
Leading for Innovation by Frances Hesselbein
“The contributors encourage you to take the time to think about innovation and describe how you must abandon practices that no longer work for advancing the practice of innovation. Filled with specific examples of the hands-on work needed to make innovation a reality for leaders and their organizations, Leading for Innovation offers a wealth of thoughtful and incisive essays that will help leaders everywhere take their organizations and communities to a new level of excellence.”
Give and Take by Adam Grant
“For generations, we have focused on the individual drivers of success: passion, hard work, talent, and luck. But in today’s dramatically reconfigured world, success is increasingly dependent on how we interact with others. In Give and Take, Adam Grant, an award-winning researcher and Wharton’s highest-rated professor, examines the surprising forces that shape why some people rise to the top of the success ladder while others sink to the bottom. Praised by social scientists, business theorists, and corporate leaders, Give and Take opens up an approach to work, interactions and productivity that is nothing short of revolutionary.”
Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone
“We attempt or avoid difficult conversations every day — whether dealing with an underperforming employee, disagreeing with a spouse or negotiating with a client. From the Harvard Negotiation Project, the organization that brought you Getting to Yes, Difficult Conversations provides a step-by-step approach to having those tough conversations with less stress and more success.”
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
“Equal parts leadership fable and business handbook, this definitive source on teamwork by Patrick Lencioni reveals the five behavioral tendencies that go to the heart of why even the best teams struggle. He offers a powerful model and step-by-step guide for overcoming those dysfunctions and getting everyone rowing in the same direction. Today, the lessons in The Five Dysfunctions of a Team are more relevant than ever. This special anniversary edition celebrates one of the best-selling business books of all time with a new foreword from the author that reflects on its legacy and lessons.”
Allies and Advocates by Amber Cabral
“Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Culture delivers a powerful and useful message about inclusion and diversity in everyday life. Author Amber Cabral, a celebrated inclusion strategist, speaker, and writer, shows readers how to move away from discriminatory and unjust behaviors to supporting and building meaningful connections with people across our diverse backgrounds and identities.”
Whether you’re looking for a way to brush up on your leadership skills or for a way to give your eyes a break from zoom calls, sitting down with a book is a great option for association leaders. Learn more about how to be a better association leader by subscribing to our podcast, Associations Next!
