If you’ve got some rare free time over the holidays, here are a few books we recommend:
1) The Charisma Myth. What begins as a typical self-help book becomes a deeply-researched, empirically-supported, masterpiece by Olivia Fox Cabane. It’s not written for community professionals in mind, it’s not hard to make the leap to our own work. If I had to pick any single book which would improve every community professionals skillset right now, it would be this one. (Via Ramit)
2) Human Motivation and Interpersonal Relationships. I don’t expect any of you to buy this, but you would be an expert in everything current in motivation theory if you did. Pay particular attention to need support, autonomy, and the environments that encourage healthy motivation.
3) Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty. An important read about the key factors which determine the success or failure of communities. The key message is socieities need pluralistic governance in which all groups are represented and rewarded for their work.
4) Addicted By Design. Nir Eyal’s Hooked is more practical, but we’ve all read it already. Pick up a copy of Natascha’s book to learn how the world’s top experts on addictions use every tactic in the book to suck people in. It’s as informative as it is ethically challenging.
5) The Six Pillar of Self-Esteem. In your darkest community moments, it helps to have a healthy self-esteem.
6) Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, And the Race of a Lifetime. Because we all need something different to read on our vacations.
And you can still buy a copy of our very own Buzzing Communities: How To Build Bigger, Better, and More Active Communities. Now cheaper than ever.
On Feb 24 – 25, we’re inviting 250 of you to hear the world’s top online community professionals speak at SPRINT Europe in London. If you want to learn more, click here.
You have 55 days remaining to buy tickets.
