Exploring the Future: Seven Strategic Conversations
That Could Transform Your Association
by Robert L.
Olson and Atul Dighe
American Society of Association Executives, Washington,
DC, 2001
ISBN 0-88034-198-X
Softcover, 179 pages
****
Quickly name five organizations with which you associate.
If you are like most people, constructing such a list
should be easy. Mankind is gregarious, and we have
created many different kinds of groups to meet our social
needs. These groups range from employers and religious
organizations to professional associations, PTAs, hobby
groups, athletic teams, political committees,
environmental action groups, support groups of many
kinds, and others. This month’s book focuses on
what leaders can do to help their organizations remain
vital in the future.
Exploring the Future: Seven Strategic
Conversations That Could Transform Your Association
is a highly readable and interesting book for anyone in a
leadership role in almost any kind of organization. It
identifies seven trends that are likely to impact your
group’s ability to attract and involve members and
provides a concise discussion of each trend along with
practical ideas for what can be done. These trends (and a
few relevant quotes) are:
- Meaning matters
“Amid the chaos of rapid change, meaning and
purpose are the enduring qualities that attract and
retain members.”
- Global + Local = Glocal
“‘Glocalization’ is a term that
describes how many aspects of life are becoming more
global and more local at the same
time.”
- Inclusivity
We need to “shift from assimilating differences
to raising awareness of differences, valuing them, and
making use of them.”
- Generational synergy
“Each generation has contributions to
make.”
- Learning culture
“The ability to learn is the single most
important skill individuals and organizations need to
thrive amid rapid change.”
- Transparency
“Demands for greater openness and accountability
are growing rapidly.”
- Living organizations
Organizations need to be viewed as “living
systems able to self-organize and adapt to
change.”
Each of the seven main chapters has a variety of
exercises, case examples, and questions to generate
conversation about the future. Appendices include an
extensive listing of resources for further exploration, a
glossary, several interesting group exercises, and
background on the online community that resulted in the
book.
The book is targeted for members of the American
Society of Association Executives (ASAE). Produced under
sponsorship of the ASAE Foundation by two members of the
Institute for Alternative Futures, its primary focus is
the world of nonprofit associations. But, to the extent
that other types of organizations face similar
challenges, members of most groups can benefit from what
the authors have to say. Leaders will find provocative
ideas that could change how their organizations function.
Other members will get a glimpse of where the future is
taking them and may be inspired to communicate this
vision to their leaders.
My
favorite quote is found on p. 60: “We are
increasingly faced with infoglut—a deluge of
information that can obscure valuable, meaningful
knowledge. What’s important gets lost in the sheer
volume of information available.” This book is
definitely not infoglut. Rather, it provides an engaging
structure for organizing information about the future
into actionable learning. I highly recommend
it.
CHRISTINE ROBINSON has more than 25 years
of leadership experience in quality systems for the
process industries. She has a master’s degree in
quality, values, and leadership from Marian College. An
avid reader, she spends a significant amount of her time
with her nose in books and her body at the
library.
Book
Ratings:
***** =
Pick it up today
**** =
Overnight it
*** =
Snail mail it
** = At a library?
* =
Never mind
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